| In the fulfillment of the mission of Christian education, a | | | | What is the tree of knowledge? What is the tree of |
| Christian education should seek to achieve the | | | | life? May I suggest that the tree of knowledge is the |
| following specific objectives: | | | | independent use of our minds, where we try to figure |
| 1. Training Students To Sense God | | | | out for ourselves what is good and what is evil. Even if |
| The focus of a Christian education is to train students | | | | we use the Holy Scriptures in our pursuit of this |
| to sense the Spirit of God within their heart. Moses | | | | knowledge, we can still run amuck. The Pharisees did. |
| learned this in his burning bush experience in the | | | | Paul did. But then he learned that he needed the |
| wilderness. Paul learned it on the road to Damascus | | | | revelation of the Holy Spirit to help him interpret |
| and in the subsequent three years in the Arabian | | | | Scriptures, and he prayed in Ephesians 1:17,18: |
| Desert. Jesus, Himself, after going to the desert, | | | | "That the God of a Christian education would |
| returned in the power of the Spirit and began a | | | | incorporate Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may |
| miracle-filled ministry. We should focus Christian | | | | give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the |
| education on releasing the revelation of God within the | | | | knowledge of Him, The eyes of your understanding |
| heart. We should use our minds and books to help us | | | | being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope |
| clarify, understand, and validate the revelation that is | | | | of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of |
| flowing within us. | | | | His inheritance in the saints...." |
| Out of the heart come the issues of life. The mouth | | | | The tree of life is in our hearts. Jesus is the Vine and |
| speaks out of that which fills the heart, and life and | | | | we are the branches (Jn. 15). There is a life flow |
| death are in the power of the tongue. Therefore, it is | | | | (revelation) through the Vine to our hearts which |
| of utmost importance that students fully understand | | | | nourishes us and sustains us and allows us to bear |
| their hearts, and know how to sense the movement | | | | fruit. And that fruit remains. A Christian education |
| of God within their hearts. | | | | should focus on training students to eat from the Tree |
| "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds | | | | of Life. |
| persuasiveness to his lips." (Proverbs16:23) | | | | 5. Training Students For All Of Life |
| 2. Training Students To Live In The Spirit | | | | "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Ps. |
| The Bible commands us to walk in the Spirit, to pray in | | | | 24:1). Therefore, we train people for all areas of life. |
| the Spirit, and to live in the Spirit. To do this effectively, | | | | We do not recognize a sacred/secular split. Whether |
| we must learn, as Jesus did, how to see vision and | | | | a students vocation/ministry is within or outside |
| how to hear God's voice. Jesus said, "My sheep hear | | | | structured church positions, a Christian education is for |
| My voice." Therefore, the continuous training emphasis | | | | every student. And students may find that you work |
| of a Christian education in both private Christian grade | | | | both inside and outside structured church positions at |
| schools and Christian colleges, should be to bring | | | | the same time. Paul was a tentmaker. Jesus was a |
| students daily into interaction with the voice and vision | | | | carpenter. Abraham was a wealthy businessman as |
| of God. | | | | well as a great spiritual and political leader. Multiplying |
| 3. Providing Students With A Biblical Foundation | | | | talents under the leading of the Spirit of God is surely |
| A thorough acquaintance with the Bible is foundational, | | | | biblical, even commanded (Matt. 25:14-30). We need |
| so that God can speak to them through the Logos | | | | fully trained spiritual men and women serving and |
| and so that they can test all revelation they receive | | | | leading in each and every job and vocation. This is |
| against the Scriptures. At all times we should go back | | | | God's plan for us: to be seated with Him in heavenly |
| to Scripture in prayer, saying, "Show me, Lord, if what I | | | | places in Christ Jesus and rule with Him through the |
| have experienced is compatible or comparable to | | | | gifts and graces He has given to us. |
| Your Holy Word." Therefore, we provide students with | | | | 6. Helping Students Discern Their Basic Heart |
| an extensive "Through the Bible Series" that will give | | | | Motivation |
| them an outstanding experience with and knowledge | | | | I believe God has placed within each person at least |
| of the Scriptures. | | | | one basic heart motivation which helps guide his |
| 4. Training Students To Eat From The Tree of Life | | | | ministry and vocational development and placement. In |
| We have a choice when we come to learning: We | | | | the course of a Christian education should study about |
| can eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, | | | | these basic heart motivations and take profiles to help |
| or we can eat from the tree of life. Both trees were | | | | them discern the motivation(s) and giftedness God has |
| present in the Garden of Eden. One was forbidden | | | | placed within them. They should interact with the |
| and one was allowed. We were forbidden to eat from | | | | faculty and advisors to explore and to clarify what |
| the tree of knowledge of good and evil and | | | | these gifts and callings are. |
| encouraged to eat from the tree of life. | | | | |