The power and potential of the family to fulfill its God-given responsibility to train their children in the Lord’ s commandments can never be trumped by any other institution. Unfortunately, most parents have decided to outsource this responsibility and focus most of their time and energy on funding their lifestyles and ambitions. This handoff puts an extraordinary responsibility on the shoulders of the Christian school faculty and staff. With less than 13 % of professed“ born-again Christian” adults possessing a biblical worldview, 3 we must approach our task as disciplemakers as a complete construction activity instead of a minor renovation or a cosmetic enhancement.
As we consider what an intentional and practical approach should look like for Christian education, Jesus models a few key strategies throughout the Gospels for making believers, disciples, and, finally, disciple-makers.
1. RELATIONSHIP Jesus shared a true passion for building relationships through loving people. He experienced daily life with His disciples, walking with them through their victories, trials, and struggles. This foundation allowed Him the opportunity to pour into His disciples deeply. Living out our daily journey with our students allows us the privilege of speaking life into them during even the mundane moments.
“ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”( John 13:34-35).
2. TEACHING In every circumstance, Jesus was seeking to teach. Working with His disciples, He explored their assumptions with questions, shared stories to illustrate biblical precepts, and even engaged in constructive and purposeful debate to strengthen their understanding. As Christian educators, we have this same opportunity through each lesson we teach, every hallway discussion we have, and any brief note we write. This discipleship is not restricted to Bible class or a chapel service. It should shape our math lessons, science projects, and literature reviews, as well as those personal chats of encouragement or admonition when explaining how to deal with a difficult classmate or receiving a poor exam score.
“ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”( Ephesians 5:15-16).
3. COMMUNICATION Many of us grew up using a common phrase that“ sticks and stones may break our bones, but words could never hurt us.” While we would use this comeback to refute those tossing insults at us, the reality is that words have power. More accurately, Solomon tells us in Proverbs 18 that“ death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Once again, Jesus modeled consistent communication techniques exemplified by control, compassion, clarity, crispness, and confidence, resulting in a lasting impact on those He connected with. As Christian educators, we
Christian education should be synonymous with discipleship. Unfortunately, many fail to create an intentional or practical plan.
can reflect this model of communication in how we speak with students, how we connect with colleagues, and how we partner with parents. Our communication can build up and encourage or tear down and destroy. Don’ t ignore the model you set as a Christian educator through your words.
“ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God”( James 1:19-20).
4. SERVICE Throughout Christ’ s ministry on earth, He repeatedly redirected His disciples and His focus to serving others: children, women, the poor, the sick, and the disabled. Christian education should model faith in action through serving others in their faith community, partnering with other non-profit groups to meet the needs of the elderly and sick, engaging in local community service projects, and conducting mission trips.
“ Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves”( Luke 22:26-27).
Christian education should be synonymous with discipleship. Unfortunately, many fail to create an intentional or practical plan. A comprehensive strategy will include several core items. Developing the portrait of a model graduate Faculty and staff training on leading students to Christ Training athletic coaches on discipling student-athletes Designing a connected and purposeful chapel program Developing a student-led, small-group discipleship program Instilling a prayer-based culture in your Christian school Fostering effective collaboration with fellow students Infusing an understanding of the Theology of Work into students
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