This presentation identifies selected biblical foundations of church education in order to identify differences between church education and school education. The contrasts are made as generalizations. They are not criticisms of schools and may not be true in every situation. Rather, these contrasts provide a perspective on the uniqueness of content and methods to help church educators better understand their ministry and mission. Contrasts are made in the areas of content, focus, structure, climate, methodology, credentials, relationship to life, and evaluation.
We begin with Bible passages that are related to the education of God's people. These are followed by definitions of the church, of education (especially as it relates to schooling), and then of church education.
Several Bible passages are foundational to the curriculum of church education. Among these include the following.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Matthew 28:19-20 19. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Ephesians 4:11-13 11. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Having identified key Bible passages, we can now define the terms "church," "education," "education," and "church education."
I understand the church to be the fellowship of those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, along with their children. Church includes preaching and teaching the Word of God, practicing the spiritual disciplines found in Scripture, seeking to share the Gospel with others in order to advance the Kingdom, and celebrating the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Education may be defined as the deliberate effort of individuals to search for, acquire, and transmit knowledge, equip themselves for responsibilities in society, and participate in processes of self-discovery and self-expression.
Church education is the teaching ministry of the local congregation which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, enables individuals to know God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and to grow in His likeness.
It guides the growth of believers and their children according to Scripture and the unique gifts and abilities that God has given.
It equips them to serve God in the church and in every
area of life according to His Word.
Depending on the context and time period, church education has also been referred to by titles such as discipleship, spiritual formation, Sunday School, catechism, and children’s ministry, youth ministry, or adult ministry.
Following are selected contrasts between church education and school education.
1. Content Bible/theology-related Culture
2. Focus Family and Community Individual learners
3. Structure Community Age/grade separated
4. Climate Cooperation Competition
5. Methodology Participation Telling & assigning
6. Credentials Spiritual nurture Tests & degrees
7. Relationship to life Life application Preparation for life
8. Evaluation Spiritual fruit Cognitive learning
Summary
The emphasis has been on the unique nature of teaching
and learning in the church. Church education can benefit from many of the
processes associated with school education. But, church educators are
encouraged to note that there are many spiritual and structural qualities
associated with church education that distinguish it from schooling.
Selected Resources
Groome, T. Christian
Religious Education https://amzn.to/3ZGxO8r
Richards, L. A Theology of
Christian Education https://amzn.to/3iRyiI9
Srinivasan,
L. Perspectives on Nonformal Adult Learning (out of print)
Ward, T. Putting Non-Formal Education to Work http://www.wardarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Putting-Nonformal-Education-to-Work-Interview-1987.pdf
Ward, T. and Herzog, W. Effective Learning in Non-Formal Education https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNAAB028.pdf
Supplementary
online resources include ChatGPT, Google, and Wikipedia
