OVERSEER COURSE LESSON TWELVE

Christian Education

Henry Epps
founder

HARVEST LIFE
GLOBAL NETWORK
Overseer Course Lesson 12
 Lesson Twelve
Christian Education

Christian Education

... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.—Matthew 28:20

Is there a difference between religious education and Christian education? Is Christian education
only for Christians? How is Christian education different from "secular" education? What makes
Christian education Christian? What is the purpose of Christian education? How are goals and
values determined? What is the setting for Christian education? What specifically is Christian
education? As a definition for Christian education is developed these questions must be addressed.
Religious Education or Christian Education?
For years the term religious education was used because it was broad and covered various
perspectives. It was not limited to Protestants or evangelicals but included Roman Catholics and
Jews, as well as adherents to other faiths. This grouping is best seen through the Religious
Education Association, which counts in its membership people of many different theological
persuasions. Evangelical educators, however, were not comfortable with this inclusiveness and
wanted to make a definite statement that they were not open to just anything religious but to what
is taught in the Word of God.

1
This became a theological and biblical distinction. Seminaries had for years offered the Master of
Religious Education (MRE) degree, but many evangelical schools changed this to the Master of
Arts in Christian Education (MACE). Though some in evangelical churches may refer to religious
education as a term when describing the educational ministry, the understanding is that they are
referring to a Bible-based ministry of education, not something so inclusive that every kind of
religious group is accepted.
At one time there was a distinction between religious education and Christian education that was
not tied to the inclusive problem. Christian education was defined as anything that dealt with
schools, such as Christian day schools and schools on the mission field. Religious education was
anything that involved the local church ministry such as Sunday school, leadership development,
and family life education. Though some may still use this distinction, it is no longer universally
accepted.
The Scope of Christian Education
For whom is Christian education designed? Taken literally, it means education for Christians, but
in reality it is far more than this in scope. It includes preconversion, conversion, and postconversion
learning experiences. People come to faith in Christ through the faithful teaching of God's Word
and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. After conversion, the learner moves into the
discipleship stage and is to develop and grow as a believer. This is Christian education in action:
not a onetime learning experience but a lifetime dedicated to learning more about God and his
Word. It includes the application of this truth in the life of the learner so that it can be passed on
to others in service and ministry. Christian education is designed to bring people to faith, to develop
people in their faith, and to lead people to minister to others through the ministry of the church.
There has been much discussion on the difference between secular education and Christian
education. Some state that there is no difference because the same theories, methodologies, and
approaches to learning prevail. It is true that content is shared in both. It is true that both want to
see change, which many will call "learning." It is also true that Christian education is more than
just teaching about the Bible and that secular subjects can be taught from a Christian perspective.
There is a difference, however, because of the unique role of the Holy Spirit in Christian education.
Through the Spirit's illumination, believers are shown the truth of God's Word, and this is not
present in secular education. Secular and Christian educators may use similar methodologies, but
this does not make them the same.
Christian education is Christian when teachers and learners are dependent on the work of the Holy
Spirit in the learning environment. It is Christian when the purpose and goals are honoring to the
Lord and to his kingdom. It is Christian when the curriculum is developed from the teachings of
the Word and from an understanding of biblical theology. It is Christian when there is an overall
understanding and perspective that God is in control and that teachers and learners are sincerely
seeking to fulfill his will and purpose in all things.
The Purpose of Christian Education

2
The purpose of Christian education is to bring people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, to train them
in a life of discipleship, and to equip them for Christian service in the world today. It is to develop
in believers a biblical worldview that will assist them in making significant decisions from a
Christian perspective. It is helping believers to "think Christianly" about all areas of life so that
they can impact society with the message of the gospel. In essence, it is the development of a
Christian worldview.
The purpose, goals, and values of Christian education are derived from a biblically based
theological foundation—quite different from the more inclusive "religious" education approach.
Worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and service are all drawn from the Scriptures and
are included in any purpose and value statement for Christian education. Goals are developed from
these key functions of the church, and effective Christian education can be measured based upon
the accomplishment of these important functions.
The Context of Christian Education
The primary setting for Christian education is the church. Actually, the church's educational
ministry is probably the largest educational endeavor in the world. Considering the youngest child
through the oldest adult, the numbers involved in some form of Christian education ministry
through the church are significant. Christian education also takes place outside the walls of the
church through Christian schools, Bible studies, camps, parachurch organizations, and other kinds
of varied ministries. It is important to note that Christian education is not limited to just one kind
of organization or ministry and is found outside the church in many different venues.

Christian education, then, is more than merely teaching Christians. It is all of the above and much
more.
Dennis E. Williams