In the perspective of Christian education, who is most responsible for the education of children?
The Bible states that the primary task of educating children lies with the parents. Since the child is raised, the role of parents cannot be ignored, in terms of providing nutrition, nurturing, educating, and setting an example for children's development, for physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual development. However, as children get older and parents' abilities are limited in various aspects of knowledge and the busy demands of life, some parents are neglected in their role as primary educators. They almost completely leave the task of educating only to the school.
From a Christian perspective, schools are partners of parents in educating their children. While parents are the main educators. Christian schools must harmonize the principles of Christian education regarding character development and disciplining children both at school and at home. Christian schools are an extension of parents in educating children. Christian schools have the opportunity to use parenting meetings as a means of “parenting school” with the aim of establishing relationships and togetherness in developing children's character, attitudes, morals, and spirituality. To be able to build these relationships, Christian schools must have the philosophy and principles of Christian education that is rooted in the truth of God's Word.
What should be considered by parents when they want to hand over their children to be educated to other parties, such as schools?
When parents delegate their children's education to another person or party, they must select selective Christian teachers very carefully to ensure that they follow Bible principles. “For this child, I prayed, and the Lord has given me what I asked of Him. So I handed it over to the LORD; for the rest of his life it will be up to the Lord." Then they prostrated themselves there and worshiped the LORD. (I Sam. 1:27-28). Parents should choose the best Christian school for their child's education. They need to ensure the best possible formation of faith, spirituality, and academic education in the Christian school.
When Moses raised the children of Israel to follow God, Jethro said that he was better off delegating some tasks to others if he planned to survive. However, Jethro warns Moses to be very careful in choosing people, Moses needs to examine the character of people who can delegate part of this responsibility. Basically, each elect must fear God, love righteousness, and hate greed.
If the main role is in the parents, who is more involved, is it the father or the mother?
Parents play an important role in children's education. From infancy to choosing a school for their children, the role of parents as primary educators has been stated. The education of children is the joint responsibility of parents. Every Christian parent must be aware that children are the duty of parents who are commanded by God in educating children. This illustrates how important it is for parents to educate and teach their children. The Bible mentions the specific role fathers are assigned in educating their children “And you, fathers, do not stir up anger in the hearts of your children, but educate them in the precepts and counsel of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4). The role of fathers in educating children is also stated in Hebrews 12:9-10, "from our fathers we actually get rewards, and we honor them." There is even a saying that "a father who teaches more than a hundred teachers", gives an illustration of how important fathers are. (parents) who teach.
The education of children is a big responsibility. Every Christian parent should say that children are the homework that God has given to their children's education. Children's education is not merely teaching the values of life, but knowing the truth of God, living together with God. Psalm 127:5 says “Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with these things. He will not be ashamed if he speaks with the enemies at the gate." Education in children teaches them the way of life, the way that shows the savior, shows the truth, knows wisdom, and knowledge. Children's education must be based on the Word of God which is the source of absolute truth.
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) a teacher and evangelist from the Holiness Movement from England responded to his concerns in children's education. According to Chambers, people of faith must educate their children in faith, otherwise, they will find it difficult to come to their aid, they are isolated and lonely.
Have I been able to reproduce my own kid spiritually? If so, in a time of difficulty I will be brought through magnificently victorious: but woe be to the spiritual man who has never produced his own kind when the difficulties come there is none to assist, he is isolated and lonely
The school must be able to bridge it with Christian education in every aspect of a child's life, learn every lesson with a Christian perspective, organize parenting schools for parents to harmonize education and character-building according to God's word both at home and at school.
My child has difficulty learning, should I wait for the child to want to learn, especially for busy parents, to educate their children?
The Bible says that we are obliged to teach children full time, this is where we must create a more conducive learning atmosphere, making them ready to learn. The Bible does not say children will learn when they are ready. Parents must condition their children's readiness to learn at all times. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) This is where the role of parents and teachers is so that children can be prepared all the time for them to learn to recognize the reality of God's creation and His truth.
Children's education is carried out throughout the day, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, a process that continues from birth until children become adults. Iterative process. "What I command you today you must heed, you must teach it over and over to your children and talk about it when you sit in your house when you are traveling when you lie down, and when you wake up." (Deut. 6:6-7, Deut. 11:19)
As parents, we must use the available time (Kairos) to educate our children. This contradicts the opinion of John H. Pestalozzi (1746-1827), an educational expert from Switzerland who argued that children will learn when they are ready to learn (readiness). If we give opportunities when children want to learn, then the sinful nature of humans in terms of pleasure, carnal desires, delaying work, then children are more likely to avoid learning. Christian parents will experience failure if they do not take advantage of the time available in educating their children.
What is the main focus in children's education from a Christian perspective?
Children's education in a Christian perspective must have the main goal of preparing children for the present life and eternal life in Jesus Christ. The purpose of education is not merely the pursuit of knowledge for the preparation of the present, the preparation for the future, and for eternity. Education is not only limited to contemporary life but "goes beyond this life", education from a biblical perspective must prepare students not only preparation for this life but preparation beyond this life.
Christian teachers and parents must not forget that the only essence of Christian education in its truest sense is to introduce them to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Children's education must know Christ as a priority in all aspects of life. The presence of Christ must be the focus at all times of the child's life, therefore education for children must be centered on Christ.
By being centered on Christ, we bring Christian education to the goal that God has mandated us to do, which is to see children have a personal relationship with God, to see children become Jesus' disciples. Education must put Christ at the center of everything we do to teach our children.
The ministry of Christian education in the atoning work of Christ is a unity, without redemption, no one can lay any other foundation except the foundation that has been laid in Jesus Christ. John Milton in his paper "Of Education" wrote:
“The end then of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents by regaining to know God right and out of that knowledge to love Him, to imitate Him, to be like Him….”
With the primacy of Christ, the introduction of children to Christ is part of the Great Commission. Christ must be at the center of the educational process. Through the work of Jesus Christ, the image and likeness of God in the child who has been damaged by human sin will be restored. Another aspect of Christian education is developing a Christian mind, namely a way of thinking and seeing things from a Christian point of view, therefore learning in the classroom must be able to view all subjects from a Christian point of view. This is done so that every child understands the reality of God's creation and understands his life plan in God's love. Some things that must be done in learning in Christian schools are faith-building, teaching children with Christ-centeredness. A thing that can only be done by using a Christian education curriculum.
From a Christian perspective, what is the main foundation or basis for children's education?
The basic foundation used in children's education is the Word of God. The Word of God is the source of salvation, truth, wisdom, and knowledge. "For in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3). The Bible also states that God not only created everything but everything was created for Him. As Creator, God is eternal and the true source of truth. When the Word of God is removed from the educational process, education is nothing but human waste. The education he develops will become a praxis that misleads and denies God as the source of salvation, truth, wisdom, and knowledge.
Whatever we teach children and youth must be based on absolute truth in God's Word. ACSI co-founder Roy W. Lorie (Association of Christian Schools International) said, “No lesson can be taught completely in truth if the Creator is ignored or denied.”
The education and rearing of children in schools teach children's dependence on God's love and grace. The knowledge of God taught the students to understand the plan of their life in God's plan.
From a Christian perspective, what is the calling of education for children in facing the future?
Education prepares children to face life in this world and in eternity. Children's education from a Christian perspective has an eternal perspective in life. God put two callings in a child's life. First, a call that involves God's call for a person to live a life of faithful service in his daily life. Second, the calling of children's lives in eternity, namely so that every child knows Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.
Children's education in a Christian perspective not only prepares them for the future life but also life in company with God. While secular education only focuses on contemporary life which emphasizes success, competition, and prosperity. For secular education, financial success is the foremost goal in today's education.
Principles of Christian Education for Children
(Dr. Khoe Yao Tung, MSc.Ed, MEd.)
