Effective Christian Schooling - A Mission to Forge a New Mind

Submitted by Jonathan Ekeland
The Christian Academy (Brookhaven, PA)
www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com Steering Committee

Effective Christian schooling is not simply a process of adding chapel and Bible class to a traditional academic curriculum. Rather, its mission is to forge a new mind – a transformation that begins through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and is then nurtured and developed by deliberate and strategic integration of biblical truth into every curricular area. Christian schooling, then, confronts and challenges the fragmented secular worldview.

But what does that really mean? Many people, adults and teenagers alike, don’t know what “worldview” means, though they hear about it or see it in print. The concept of a worldview is easy and difficult at the same time. For instance, you may have heard the name “Cape Cod” dozens of times, but have you ever stopped to think that a “cape” is a point of land that projects into the sea and a “cod” is a North Atlantic fish? We usually don’t dissect such terms on a regular basis. Well, the term “worldview” may be that simple. It is a set of presuppositions (which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold about the basic makeup of our world. One who holds a Christian worldview would look at everything through the grid of Scripture.

To apply this concept to our basic premise about Christian education, a Christian education does include Bible classes, chapels, Christian faculty, and a host of other “Christian things,” but if students are not learning how to assimilate and put into practice what they are learning, then they are as James describes in chapter 1, verse 22. “But prove to yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

When students study Shakespeare they should ask themselves, “From what worldview does Shakespeare speak?” Then students should compare their own worldview and Shakespeare’s to see the differences and similarities. Similarly, what worldview is presented in Science class? In World History and American Literature, what views are impressed upon the students? If the students have not begun to formulate in their own minds what worldview they espouse, then most everything they absorb and consider will be acceptable (tolerable).

All Christian schools certainly cannot be lumped together, but I would be willing to state that most value the opportunity to teach their students to develop a Christ-centered worldview. From as early as kindergarten, Christian schools are teaching and modeling a Godly perspective regarding every aspect of their education, from math to physical education class. Incidentally, if Christ is not the center of PE class, what does competition look like? If Christ is not the center of History class, where does God fit into the history of mankind? Does He, or doesn’t He? These are just two of dozens of perspectives that children are taught every day for 30 hours a week. Do the math! 30 hours a week times 36 weeks of school equals 1,080 hours in the classroom in a school year. Now multiply that by 13 years. It equals 14,040 hours that children are absorbing worldviews. The question raised to parents is, “What kind of worldview do you want your child to have when he or she graduates high school?”

A catechism question that some kindergarten students respond to is “Why did God make all things?” The little ones answer correctly, “God made all things for His own glory (Rom 11:36).” Our worldview, even at the age of five, should start with God at the center of our lives with everything revolving around Him. As the initial premise mentions, our society’s secular worldview is fragmented. In other words, it is broken and sinful. We as parents and educators need to have a plan -- a plan to instruct our children to compare everything to God’s Word. His Word is our lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. That path that our children tread upon is full of rocks and holes and other obstacles. They need God’s Word and its perspective to keep from falling. They need a bright and true light.

To learn more about Christian schools and Christian schooling - and to find a local Christian school in your area - please visit www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com.