Christian education is a crucial aspect of the continued growth and existence of the church -- the Word of God should always be the focal point for everything that takes place in the body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 1:26-29, reminds us of "…the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and from generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone, and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me." (NRSV).
This passage speaks of three key duties that are paramount for the purpose of Christian education in the church: to warn everyone, to teach everyone, and to present everyone mature in Christ Jesus.
'Warn Everyone...'
First of all, the church has a responsibility to warn the world that life is not worth living apart from Christ. Another word often synonymous with warn is admonish, which means "to rebuke or to caution."
In Ezekiel, chapter 33, the prophet speaks about the task of the watchman of Israel. The watchman stood upon the tower wall of the city to warn people of any impending attacks. If
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The church has the awesome responsibility of ensuring that disciples are being taught the Word of God in a way that is sound biblically, theologically and hermeneutically. |
Blowing the trumpet signaled a warning that gave Israel ample time to defend against attack. It also absolved the watchman of any personal guilt should calamity fall upon the people. If the watchman, however, did not sound the trumpet, the blood of the people would be upon his head.
Likewise, the church stands on the watch wall of the world to warn the wicked that the enemy is attacking and that they need to find peace and security in Christ. Standing on the wall still remains a tedious task for the church and Christian education is one vehicle that carries the warning to all people who do not have a relationship with Christ.
Therefore, the church can never afford to become wall-weary. The church must faithfully stand to declare and to warn all of a loving God who does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live.
'Teach Everyone...'
Secondly, the church has the responsibility to teach everyone in the ways of Christ. Second Timothy 3:16 states, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." (NRSV). Teaching involves guiding people onto the right path of travel. Reproof means showing people where they have gotten off the path. Correction involves directing people how to get back onto the path.
Training in righteousness is instructing people how to stay on the path. The church has the awesome responsibility of ensuring that disciples are being taught the Word of God in a way that is sound biblically, theologically and hermeneutically. Effective Christian education cannot be shallow instruction.
Responsible teaching provides the atmosphere for positive learning experiences. Positive learning occurs when students respond properly to what has been taught, and a change takes place in the mind, in the emotions and in the will. People can believe correctly and not behave correctly. But they cannot consistently behave correctly unless they believe correctly. How well students are taught is best seen in how they exhibit what they have learned. It is exhibited in how they respond to what they believe or do, particularly when they are away from the support and fellowship of other believers.
'Present Everyone...'
Lastly, the church has the responsibility to present followers mature or complete in Christ. Second Timothy 3:17 goes on to state, "…so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work" (NRSV).
It is God's ultimate desire that every disciple be fully equipped and continues to mature in faith. In other words, to warn everyone and to teach everyone, only to fall short of presenting everyone mature in Christ, falls short of the mark.
One of the goals of public/private education is to ensure that students learn and mature. Before students receive diplomas they must successfully pass their classes. After completing their course of study, they are presented to the world as having successfully graduated.
Similarly, the church must help disciples pass through the warning and teaching stages in order to adequately prepare them for spiritual presentation.
One major difference that makes Christian education different from institutional education is that graduation day never arrives until we "finished the race," having "kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). The role of the Christ as stated in Jude 24 is to present everyone faultless before the presence of God's glory with exceeding joy. The role of the church is to present everyone faithful before the presence of Christ, after providing substantive Christian education for every disciple.
The primacy of Christian education encompasses understanding the stewardship that has been entrusted to those who teach the Word of God. It is to unwrap the mystery of God's revelation found in the person of Jesus Christ to all. Just as Paul strived to accomplish this purpose, according to God's power that worked mightily within him, teachers should have a passion to see the lives of people changed and strengthened through the transforming power of Christian education.
This article first appeared in Dreamer, a publication of Canaan Christian Church, Louisville, Ky.
Eugene McCormick is currently enrolled in the doctoral studies program in the School of Christian Education and Leadership at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He is president of EMC Consulting, which serves and assists churches in developmental areas of Christian education, leadership, and administration.
