Philosophy of Education

At the very heart of our educational philosophy, is the conviction that God is the author of all truth.  We believe and teach that He has chosen to reveal this truth through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through His Word, the Judeo-Christian Scriptures.

Ø    The Ministry of Christian Education is About Obeying the Commandment of God. 

·       A Christian education is one that it is based on Biblical values and principles, where the Word of God is held up as the standard of Truth and the shaper of our world view. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

·       We are to Love the Lord our God with our entire Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.  (Matthew 22:36-38)

·       God has ordained Parents as the Educators of their Children.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)  Parents, who choose to delegate this task to a school, do so as an act of partnership.  At no time does the school take the place of the parents in terms of their responsibility for the education of their children.  Rather the school comes along side of the parents, working in unison with them to fulfill God’s command.

Ø    The Ministry of Christian Education is about Nurturing. 

·       The cultivation of those qualities which are desirable in a student arise first and foremost out of an environment which acknowledges the beautiful uniqueness of each student.  (Proverbs 22:6) 

·       A Christian education must be Holistic; it must engage every facet of the student: the physical, the emotional, the intellectual, the spiritual, and the social.  (Luke 2:5-22)

o      Physically every person is an Image-Bearer of the Divine King, formed by His hands to be unique and beautiful in their own way.  (Jeremiah 1:5)  Students should be encouraged to see themselves as God does, precious and valuable.  They should be taught to see their strengths and weaknesses as either God-given, or God-allowed.  Good health; the development of a healthy body, of a healthy lifestyle, and of a healthy self-image are all apart of a Holistic Christian Education. 

o      Emotionally each student possesses a unique personality.  That personality must be recognized, affirmed, and loved while stressing the positive elements and redirecting the negative ones (i.e. guiding stubbornness towards perseverance).  Educators must endeavor to cultivate a safe, secure, and inviting environment which is conducive to learning.

o      Intellectually each student has their own unique learning style and abilities.  As much as it is possible, those learning styles and abilities should be taken into account when planning lessons and teaching.  Similarly, teaching techniques and equipment should be age-appropriate for the students involved.

o      Spiritually each student was created for connection to God and the lack of that connection is the source of all pain and fear.  One can only understand life within the context of the Spiritual realities of God’s Holy Scripture.  Therefore each student should be introduced to God’s self-revealed Word and His desire for His creation.  The development of this facet of the student lays the foundation for the wisdom that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ and a Biblical worldview.

o      Socially each student has a unique environmental background which must be taken into account.  Teachers must recognize and be sensitive to these backgrounds while encouraging students to become all that God intended them to be.  Along these lines students must be taught how conduct themselves appropriately in society, how to relate to others according to God’s will and design.

Ø    The Ministry of Christian Education is about Preparation. 

·       A Christian Education must be a truly quality education, classical in content and existential context.  (Philippians 4:9)

o      It is Classical in that it prepares students for a lifetime of learning by giving them the tools they need to obtain, evaluate, and synthesize information.  This cultivation of the God-given faculty of reason allows students to observe all of the information regarding a given subject, and having done so ascertain what is in fact true and what is false.  A quality education includes a well-rounded instruction in English, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, and the Arts. 

o      It is Existential in that it seeks to integrate the apprehending of knowledge with the exercise of that knowledge in such a way so as to create a dynamic and transformational environment.

·       A Christian education facilitates an environment of learning, spiritual awareness and an opportunity for maturity.

o      While distinct from Discipleship, a Christian Education lays the foundation for discipleship by an active exchange between the teacher and the student wherein the teacher lives before the student, and the student learns how to live with in the context of the educational environment.

o      Further more, a godly teacher models the character of Christ to their students and thereby provides a frame work for understanding God and how He wishes to relate to them. 

A Christian Education seeks to do more than prepare a student for a job, it also includes helping them to discover God’s call on their lives and giving them what they need to walk in that call: a foundational understanding of God’s Word and the Christian Faith, as well as a Biblical worldview which reflects God’s value system. 

A Christian Education should bring about a hunger for God and a commitment to Christian growth which will be seen in the formation of the student’s character.