Mattew 28:20; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Many churches have a staff or volunteer position with the title Christian education, director or minister of Christian education. And because this often focused ( seemingly so) on Sunday school, particularly the teaching of children, it may be customary to think of Christian education as primarily concerned with Bible stories and children's program.
Defining Christian education
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 ? What is the purpose of Christian education? How are goals and value determined? What is the settings for Christian education? What specifically is Christian education? As a definition for Christian education is developed, these question must be addressed, after the question has been addressed kindly comment.
Religious education or Christian education.
For decades the word religious education was used because it was broad and covered various perspectives. It was not limited to Protestants or evagelicals but include the Roman Catholics and jews.
At one time there was distinction between religious education and christian education that was not tied to inclusive problem. Christian education was defined as anything that dealt with schools such as Christian day schools and school on the mission field. Religious education was anything that involves the local church ministry such as Sunday school, leadership development and family life education. Though some may still use this distinction it is not longer accepted all over the world.
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 it scope. It includes preconversion,conversion, post conversion learning experience. People come to faith in Christ through the faithful teaching of God's word and spiritual and extraordinary power of the holy Spirit, after conversion, the leaner moves into discipleship stage and is to develop and grow as a believer. This is Christian education in action; not one time learning experience but a lifetime dedicated to learning more about God and his world. It includes the application of 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.
The purpose of Christian education.
The purpose of Christians education is to bring people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, to aims 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 world view that will assist them in making significant decisions from a Christian perspective. It is helping believes to think wisely and christianly. About all areas of life so they can impact society with the pure word of gospel. In essence, it is the development of Christian world view.
The purpose, goals aim and values of Christian education re derived from a biblically based theological foundation, quite different from the religious education approach. Worship, evagelism discipleship, fellowship, and service are all drawn from the scripture 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 churches educational ministry is probably the largest educational endeavour 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 take place outside the wall of the church, through Christian schools, Bible study, camps, parachurch organization and other kind of various ministries. It is important to note that Christian education is not limited to just to one kind of organization or ministry and is found outside the church in many different venues.
Christian education, the is more than merely teaching christians. It is all above and much more.
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