Last term we began looking briefly at our GPCC Philosophy & Practice of Christian Education. We continue this week by considering the purpose of education.

Link to Philosphy & Practice of Christian Education

In the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we see laid out for the Israelites God’s desire for each generation to be taught about life’s chief purpose – to know and glorify Him as Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer.

The story of Scripture is the story of the creation of humankind and their placement in a world designed for them, their subsequent rejection of the authority of God their Creator and His plan to provide a way for the restoration of humankind and their fellowship with Him and their return to God’s original purpose for them.

Education, the discipling of the next generation, is focused for Christian believers on teaching our children to love God with all their being and to live according to His ways. This involves equipping them to fulfil His original mandate for them (Genesis 1:28).

That is why through the Scriptures (Psalm 78 for example), God reminds His people of their history and the part He has played in rescuing and restoring them, giving them purpose and hope. In Romans 12, we are challenged to renew our thinking so that we too, may live rightly.

Christian teachers have the task of helping students to learn about the world, themselves and others and to help them see their need to worship and follow God. We do this through the unveiling of His glory in the examination of the creation and the development of human ability; that is what education is about.

This work must involve the Gospel (Good News), as no true transformation of understanding or lifestyle can take place until the sinner becomes the saint through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Every student can grasp something of the desirability of living a certain way in order to appreciate and engage in a purposeful, meaningful and ordered life.

So, we recognise that throughout the Biblical narrative, the Gospel is much more than just a story of personal salvation from judgement; it is also a revelation of nature and humanity, their purpose in existence, their fallenness and God’s plan for their redemption. It is through the story of God that we can help students become lifelong disciples equipped to live as God intended, glorifying Him and bringing redemptive service to a now broken world.

The purpose of the Christian school is not just to create a safe environment or to bring students to a place of personal salvation; it is a truly discipling agent that helps students learn how to live life God’s way, equipping them for a life of action and service for good in the world. The goal of Christian education is the restoration of full humanness to each person so that they may fulfil their ultimate purpose.

Phillip Nash

Principal