God's Plan Depends Upon Education by Keith Malone
(http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/5532/voice1.htm
Reprinted from the on-line edition of The Voice of the Valley)
Many denominations have shifted their focus of spiritual education to a forte on secular education and entertainment. In worship services, children are entertained by such distractions as "children's church" and through the week parents are encouraged to enroll their children in the "Christian school". These groups have lost the focus of the God-given responsibility to teach children to worship while at the same time teaching them God's word. God's plan in the redemption of mankind has always depended upon education. From the beginning of time man has needed to be taught God's will and nothing has changed. This education manifests itself in different ways. From the beginning of time through the patriarchal age God revealed His will directly through the fathers. God was educating man through direct revelation. God has continued this educational process through the law given on Sinai, prophets, Christ, the Apostles and Christians. Now we have His completed revelation to continue the process thereby. So, what is the church's responsibility? To educate in God's word! This is a great responsibility that we must take seriously. If this responsibility is abrogated, delegated or not taken seriously - judgment will ensue. This article will consider scriptural examples of how God's plan has always depended upon education.
In the Case of Adam and Eve. God had to educate Adam regarding man's purpose in life (Gen.1: 28,29) and also His commandments (Gen.2: 15-17). In Adam and Eve's case, God's purpose was defeated by Satan, counteracting the educational process (Gen.3: 1-6).
In the Case of Noah. Noah was a righteous man for it says that he "walked with God" (Gen.6: 8,9). To walk with God you must be educated in His ways. God also had to educate Noah regarding his plan to destroy sinful man and the necessity to build an ark (Gen.6: 13,14,22) Without education Noah would have been helpless to fulfill God's purpose for him (Heb.11: 7).
In the Case of Abraham. Abraham, another man noted for his great faith, had to be educated regarding God's will. Abraham was instructed by God to be a sojourner in a strange land (Gen.12: 1-3). Abraham was then told of the land and seed promise and taught to keep the commandments of God (Gen.13: 14,15; 17:9). It was by God's instruction to Abraham that we have the shadow of God offering His own son. (Heb.11: 17).
In the Case of Moses. The phrases, "The Lord said unto Moses", "The Lord spake unto Moses", "The Lord commanded" appear one hundred and sixty times in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The preparation of Moses for his work required much teaching and nurturing (Ex.2: 1-4,18; Heb.11: 24-29). Moses' entire life with Israel was one of constant teaching, nurturing and training (Deut.5: 1,30-33). His life and work was dependent upon education from God. This is reciprocal - God's work and plan depend upon Moses reception and execution of this education.
In the Case of Israel. Israel, as with Christians today, were given the awesome responsibility of teaching their children. The earnest teaching of our children will ensure that God's word will flow through the ages. This must be a strict teaching as opposed to a loose one (Deut.11: 18-21; 6:6-9). It should be a parent's great joy to see his children taught at home and in the Bible class. The church can aid the Christian parent in this great responsibility. If we want our children to grow up to be strong, faithful Christians, we cannot go about their training in a haphazard way. We must set spiritual goals for them and pursue those goals in a logical manner, just as we do any other goal we set for them. We must realize that training our children to love and serve the Lord is our greatest responsibility, both as parents and as a congregation. They are the future of the church.
In the Case of the Prophets. The prophets were directed by God to deliver His will at different times and for different situations (Heb.1: 1). Throughout history, the prophet's sole objective was to educate the group of people to whom they were sent. They were to educate regarding God's commandments, the people's sin, impending doom and many other things. Samuel, a well-known prophet of God, said that his mission was to "teach you the good and right way" (I Sam.12: 23). Previous to this, he stated his punishment for not accomplishing the education of God's people; "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (Ibid.). Jesus teaches that the writings of the prophets were sufficient to produce repentance in the heart of the godly. Even centuries after the prophets' work and their inspired warnings had passed, the words of prophets were still affective and binding. Jesus telling the parable of Lazarus and the rich man said, "they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them" (Luke 16:29). In the great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus related His work to that of the prophets: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matt.5: 17). To fulfill the words of the prophets - the prophets had to teach what was to be confirmed for the faith of those looking ahead and now those of us looking back.
In the Case of Jesus. Our Savior was called "teacher" more often than anything else. This is surprising because He did more "visible" things than teach. Christ performed miracles, wonders and signs and preached sermons. Regardless of what Jesus was doing, He was teaching, hence the most common label - "teacher". His teaching was with authority, it silenced the skeptic, it convicted the hearts of many and still does today. The teaching through His example exudes a model and form for all to focus upon. His teaching saved the soul of mankind. Likewise, the teaching of the word by His people still saves the soul of mankind! (See Matt.5: 2; 7:2; Mark 1:21; 10:1; Lk.5: 3; 10:47; John 7:14,32). The last public address of Jesus was a rebuke and forceful denunciation of false teachers (Matt.23: 1-15).
In the Case of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit was promised by Christ to guide the apostles "into all truth" (John 16:13). It was then the duty and responsibility of the Apostles to teach the masses. Upon the fulfillment of Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit being sent (Acts 2), Peter begins the task of revealing truth to the entire world. (See Acts 4:1,2; 5:21-29,41,42; 11:25,26; 19:10; 20:20; 28:30,31; John 14:25,26; I Cor.2: 13)
In the Case of the Church. While the previous cases can clearly be seen, the case of the church is often confused and misused because it requires action, work and dedication from the Christian. The Scriptures are very plain regarding the duties in God's educational process. So important is this duty that it will be broken into four parts. A) The church continued in the educational process (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 17:10,11). The church needs to be concerned and active regarding the education of God's word for young and old alike. B) Those engaged in teaching Holy Writ are recognized in scripture and given directives (Acts 13:1; Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13) These duties/requirements and the directives that accompany them follow through to us today. C) The church has the duty to develop teachers or educators (II Tim.2: 2; Titus 2:3-5; Heb.5: 11-14). The church must earnestly desire the development of those with the ability and conviction to teach. Not just a warm body to fill a void space. Not just someone who will teach because "no one else will do it". The church needs to train those who will teach with the sincerity and integrity that God's word deserves. D) Christ judges the church on the basis of educational work done or permitted to be done (Rev.2: 14-16; 20-25).
The future of the church depends upon the church doing its work. The future teachers of the church are those that are trained by faithful parents and churches who will aid the parent in this most important task. Whether the parent is teaching their child to the best of their ability or not, the church should accentuate the quality of it's teaching to the point that God demands. Our teaching, teaching programs, classes, sermons should be scrutinized to see if teaching is being done - because - we will answer for it if we are found lacking. The honest hearted parent who desires the education of their child and themselves will appreciate it. Those who are apathetic will complain, try to stifle the work and generally not like it because they or their child are expected to work. Which are you?
Short Exhort - Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs
(http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)
"I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Cor. 9:27).
Vince Lombardi, the legendary coaching genius who was the only man to ever coach three consecutive world championship football teams, once said, "I've never known a man worth his salt who, in the long run, deep down in his heart, did not appreciate the grind and the discipline. There is something in good men that truly yearns for and needs discipline."
Let us discipline our bodies and bring them into subjection to the will of Christ.