Foundational biblical principles are useful tools that
contain the seeds of all other principles and produce a
harvest of the knowledge and love of God. They are adapt-
able to any lesson, any subject, any issue, or any method
of teaching. Because the principle is the cause, source, or
origin of a thing, or “a general truth or a law comprehending
many subordinate truths,” 2 foundational principles create a
whole context that becomes one structure of truth.
blessed and made perfect when we choose to be governed by
Christ (Rom 6:11-14). How important to teach our children
from the cradle this simple biblical principle—consenting to
be governed by God who knows best what makes us happy,
free, creative, productive, and peaceful people.
Can young children understand such concepts as indi-
viduality (created for a purpose) and Christian self-govern-
ment (obedience to God)? Absolutely.
For instance, in the classroom, when teachers invite chil-
GOD’S PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUALITY
dren to give consent to abide by a class constitution specify-
The first of seven principles 3 is God’s principle of individual-
ing expected classroom behavior, the children freely choose
ity: God made us in His image for a providential purpose,
to be governed by law when they understand it is estab-
which can only be fulfilled through Christ’s redemption
lished to protect and free them. They have the opportunity
(Eph 2:10). Notice, it is God’s principle of individuality that
to reason through the articles of the constitution and test
apprehends the dynamic relationship between a good and
their appropriateness. They begin to understand that conse-
purposeful Creator and those invested with His image. This
quences are built into the laws of the universe. Children
principle emphasizes identity
learn they possess the ‘title’ to
and purpose—the very roots of
their own individual conscienc-
our understanding of life. This
es and that they possess this title
profound and omnipresent prin-
by consent. 5 They learn experi-
ciple should be identified in every
entially that exercising consent
“If we neglect this sacred
acquires a consequence, either
subject as it cultivates the knowl-
blessing or something less than
edge of God but also affection for
duty, the secular culture
God’s best. By consent, children
God and for His goodness. Every
will certainly inoculate our
learn the reality of consequenc-
individual child needs a name,
es, repentance, forgiveness, and
a place, a passion, and a story.
children against absolute
restoration. It is clear the devil
God’s principle of individuali-
truth, breed in them a
didn’t make them do it, and the
ty gives all four—a unique and
dog didn’t eat their homework.
valued identity, a harbor of safety
deadly apathy, and instill
Internalizing a love of law and
in a conflicted world, a love of all
an opposing worldview
its benefits to protect life and
goodness, and a personal place in
property initially launches this
God’s providential history.
hostile to God.”
happy classroom setting. When
We can teach the youngest
children are invited to give their
child the little rhyme, “God made
consent from their own under-
me special, like no one else you
standing of the possible conse-
see. He made me a witness to
quences, the student may reason,
His diversity.” 4 We can show the
“If everyone consents, my property is safe, and I can be a
youngest child that history is really ‘Christ, His Story’—
successful learner.” The Christian principle of self-govern-
God’s relationship with man. We can show our students the
ment illustrates the maxim, “I am properly self-governed
reflection of God and His character in science and math as
when I’m governed by Christ.” Children learn that if they
we find eternity in the stars and infinity in the numbers. If
are internally governed under Christ, there is less external
we fail to poise the hearts of our children toward Christ in
control necessarily exerted over them. They taste liberty.
every ordinary way, we leave space for man to be glorified
These two foundational principles, God’s principle of indi-
in the void.
viduality and the Christian principle of self-government, are
at the heart of the issues of life. They set the understanding
CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT
of true Christian liberty in the hearts of children as a hedge
The second of seven principles is the Christian principle of
against the deception of collectivism and tyranny in all
self-government: knowing God through Christ teaches me to
forms. The first two principles, applicable in all of life, build
obey him and enjoy liberty with law, which apprehends the
the Christian character and the self-respect of the child.
freedom in, and responsibility of, bearing the image of God
Children of all ages respond warmly to basic principles
and conforming to His law. This second foundational prin-
as illustrated by a mother who visited our school with her
ciple shows that though we are free to self-govern, we are
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