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.
T HAT’S THE REASON churches spend time and money on Christian education. To teach obedience in everything to God through Christ Jesus. Teaching others about God and godliness through the Bible. Godliness is what God wants us to be like. It starts when we trust Jesus to forgive our sins. God wants us to be holy just as He is holy.
How do we learn to be holy as He is holy? Through prayer and study.
Presbyterians are notorious for wrapping up education at sixth grade or after high school. Somehow I guess we think we know everything there is to know — or that’s important to know — about faith and godliness as a teenager. Christian education is something that should occur with every person — child and adult.
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NOW, ON THIS DAY AS WE CELEBRATE Christian education at Swift Church, and the importance of financially funding Christian training, we need to remember that organized classes in the church are not the only place for education. It takes place, of course, at church, but can be done in the home. It can occur between a parent and a child, between a teacher and students in a classroom, or between a pastor and the congregation. One of the first passages in the scriptures that encourages us to teach others about God and godliness or holiness is found in Genesis 18.
For I have chosen [Abraham], so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. — Genesis 18:19
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION INFORMS US and nurtures us in “keeping the way of the Lord” and doing what is “right and just.” Isaiah emphasizes this as well, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Education is not indoctrination, but teaching people how to practice what it means to be a Christian. And we need that in today’s American life. Christianity sometimes corresponds with society and government. Sometimes it doesn’t. We must know the difference. At work we need a biblical foundation of the treatment of women with respect and dignity instead of objects of misconduct. In our finances a biblical footing helps prevent us from getting in over our head in debt. In our relationships, in our families, in our ins and outs of everyday living, the Bible guides us.
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A RETIRED PASTOR ONCE CONFESSED that he was a believer on Sunday, but by Thursday nearly an atheist. I understand that dilemma. Our society — which, for generations, offered at least implicit support and even approval of Protestant Christian faith — has now withdrawn it. No, we are not being persecuted. There is no “war on Christmas.” But, the folks find themselves somewhere between indifference and suspicion when it comes to Christianity. Members of churches are not exempt, either.
Our culture challenges faith every day, sometimes directly, more often indirectly. Most follow the lead of the dominant culture either all the time or some of the time. Unsupported faith can easily fade, and we end up running on fumes. To be frank, the simple versions of Bible stories you learned in Sunday school as a child will not hold up to the relentless challenges of adulthood.
Literacy in matters of Christian faith has not kept pace with the need for wrestling with popular and persistent objections. I would say there are times you feel unequipped to deal with the very real questions that arise in our culture. (All of the above credited to Ronald Byars)
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THAT’S WHY THE CHURCH MAKES a substantial commitment to adult Christian formation.
Education helps us know what it means to be a Christian. Education guides us to tell God’s story in relation to our own story. Education prepares us to hear God’s call to go and serve.
Without effective education, the Christians faith is not faithfully passed on to the rising generations and Christians are not obedient to their educational commission to teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.
— Keith Cardwell
