A Threefold Cord Needed

Martin Luther, always an advocate of Christian education, once said, “What you give to scholars you give to God Himself.” Truly our Christian schools are part of the means the Lord has given to us as parents to carry out our spiritual obligations to our children. Christian schools can be an extension of the parental teaching, sharing the goal of providing instruction from God’s point of view. A problem arises, however, when parents expect more from our Christian schools than they can give. There are several things which Christian schools cannot do for your child.

1. Christian schools cannot be a substitute for a godly home environment. Parents, more than teachers and ministers combined, are the primary models for children to follow. Parents are the “pattern makers” for a godly walk, attitudes toward life, attitudes towards others, goal setting, and study habits. Values are communicated and character is nurtured by loving parents whose words and actions demonstrate their beliefs. A pastor once said, “Home is where life makes up its mind.” Quite frankly, the impact of the Christian school is severely limited if the home is not what it ought to be. No teacher can compensate for an unstable home.

2. Christian schools cannot guarantee a perfect school environment. Some parents are unrealistic about other students in their child’s Christian school. They expect a degree of perfection among mortals that simply is not attainable on earth. Yet the very nature of a school requires that it maintain an orderly disciplined environment if learning is to occur. Parents who strive prayerfully to maintain homes which are the first schools of instruction in self-discipline, respect, reverence, and obedience greatly assist our instructors in maintaining a positive school atmosphere conducive to learning.

3. Christian schools cannot increase the level of your child’s intelligence. God has fashioned each of us with varying degrees of intelligence, imagination, and drive. Christian school educators cannot, nor should they, push a child beyond his ability to perform. Children need a reasonable level of intellectual stretching and academic challenge, but caring Christian school teachers cannot perform nor should they attempt to perform “academic miracles” to please parents who may have an unrealistic view of their children’s abilities. Parents and teachers alike should know that a child’s academic success in school is only part of the total composite of qualities by which he “may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

4. Christian schools cannot duplicate parental love and support. Most adults have forgotten the emotional stress we experienced as children at school. The process of learning can be emotionally stressful and mentally stretching. Parents can greatly reduce the pressure of learning that our children may feel by encouraging them, inspiring them, and loving them. Love them enough to sacrifice time and effort to be at their musical presentations and academic events. Leave no doubt in your children’s minds that you love and support them.

5. Christian schools cannot replace the spiritual obligations of parents. Read the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-9: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou best down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Christian school education will be frustrating for your child if the biblical principles taught at school are not a continuation of the biblical principles taught in your home.

With the Lord’s blessing, Christian school education is a major force for good in the lives of our children. It can be enhanced if the church, the home, and the school are in agreement spiritually and academically, for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

— Taken from a school newsletter

How shall the young direct their way?

What light shall be their perfect guide?

Thy Word, O Lord, will safely lead,

If in its wisdom they confide.

O blessed Lord, teach me Thy law.

Thy righteous judgments I declare;

Thy testimonies make me glad,

For they are wealth beyond compare.

— Psalter 322

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen