During a Christian School church tour, I spoke to a young mother asking about Christian education. I suggested that she consider what Jesus would recommend. This discussion reminded me of some verses which can aid parents wanting clarity regarding God’s will for their children.
God is very helpful in stating how not to educate children and how to educate children. He tells us what kind of instruction to impart and what kind of instruction to avoid. He even tells us exactly the kind of impact a kind of teacher will have on their student.
What does God say about what not to do from Proverbs and Psalms? “Cease my son to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” & “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” That makes sense; garbage in garbage out!
What does God say about what to do from Proverbs and Ephesians? “Train up a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not depart from it.” & “Fathers…bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” That makes sense; birds of a feather flock together!
What does God say about how a teacher influences a student from Luke? “When a student is fully trained he will be like his teacher.” That makes sense; education is caught more than taught!
Jesus often answered good questions with scripture, so regarding questions about child formation I can just picture Him saying, “Have you not read?”
