Why Christian Education

8/8/2019 Why Christian Education

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W H YC h r i s t i a nE d u c a t i o n .

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JustThink

About

It


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INFLUENCE

Train up a child in the way that He should go,

and when he is old he will not

depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Who influences our children?

As Christian parents, it is

our deepest desire that our

children grow up to love

God and our neighbours,just as Jesus commanded

(Matthew 22: 36-40).

This doesnt happen

automatically and as the

verse above states, we

need to train our children.

Does this really only refer

to Sunday school and the

Christian home, or do wealso need to consider the

time spent in school in the

same light?

Who has the greatest

influence in your

childs life?

Parents, friends, the media,

school, church?

Is school an environment that is training

children to love God & their neighbour?

Children spend about 1200 hours each year in

school and with school-friends and it has a verysignificant influence.

The secularisation of education has been to the

great detriment of our children and our nation.

Values of righteousness, truth, morality,

love,purity, honour and family are disappearing.

In the last 30 years God has moved many to

rekindle Christian education in this country through

new Christian schools.

The thought of Christian education has often never

even entered many parents minds (including mine

until recently!), so the issues are certainly worth

thoughtful consideration and prayer.

Christian Schools do not receive

any government funding

Children spend about 1200 hours

each year in school

Most Christian parents have never thought

about a Christian school as a viable option


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OBJECTION!

Common Objections to Christian Education

1) Children in Christian Schools are sheltered from the real worldFrankly, we wish we could shelter our children for longer (!) as they grow up quickly

and lose their innocence too soon. Children from Christian homes are not perfect and

the caring nature of the school means that it attracts a higher than average

percentage of children with issues. The children also interact with non-Christian kids

outside of school. Therefore they are not too sheltered from the day to day

challenges of the so called real world.

2) Our children can be witnesses in their state schoolHow many children bought up in a Christian home, backslide in their teenage years and

as a consequence suffer unnecessary heartache? As adults, we can find it tough

standing up for our faith in the workplace How much more difficult is it for a child?

If a child has a strong FOUNDATION, they will be stronger in the long run.

3) The facilities arent as good as the state schoolThis can be true, especially when it comes to science or sport, but as Christian schoolsgrow, so the facilities will improve. Maybe you are part of the solution!

4) The qualifications arent recognised by unis or employersThat is incorrect. The ACE qualification is recognised by all universities, colleges,

government and, therefore, employers. Some ACE students have studied at Oxford &

Cambridge.

5) I know children that have done very well as Christians in state

schoolWhilst there are some great examples of children who have gone through state school

successfully, sadly the majority struggle with their faith and find that going against

the flow of their friends is simply too tough.

As adults we can find it toughto stand up for our faith in theworkplace.

How much more difficult is it for a child?


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CONSSTENCY

Home, Church & School

What is my child being taught?The Bible states that we should set our minds on things above (Colossians 3: 2) and not

to love the world (1 John 2: 15) and to set our mind on things that are wholesome, lovely,

and of good report (Philippians 4: 8)

Teaching in many state schools is humanistic (God-less), focussed on worldly things and

applauds behaviour that God calls sin, with the ultimate aim of getting a good job and

earning money. Clearly education is vital to a childs future, but the focus of Christian

education is not just making a child employable, it is also to encourage any gift they mayhave and develop Godly character.

Who is influencing my child today?Bad company corrupts good character (I Corinthians 15: 33). Many Christian parents despair

at the spiritual state of their children and the influence of ungodly friends is all too apparent

at the end of each school day. How much time do you spend battling to undo all the worldly

thinking that your child has learnt each day?

There is no doubt that good Christian friendships formed early in life are of great benefit in

encouragement, avoidance of peer pressures and promotion of a continued godly lifestyle.

Children need an elementof protection from a hostile environment that will try and put

secular lies in their minds and imaginations: as every gardener knows, young plants need

protecting so they can grow strong before going outside.

Is my childs charcter being developed by loving discipline?Raising men and women with godly Christian character is a requirement of a Christian

upbringing. Bring them up in the training & instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6: 4).

Gods desire for all of us is to be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory

(2 Cor 3:18). This MUST be done in a loving manner. Without love, we are nothing and we

gain nothing (1 Cor 13). Is that taught as a fundamental truth in state schools?

There is no mention in any government directive for schools about the development of a

godly Christian character, yet it is a priority for Christian parents. This is a conflict of aimsand vision.

Is my child being taught the same values in school as home?A Christian education can continue with these principles in a seamless way so that children

will find consistentteaching at home, church and school. Other alternatives involve the child

in receiving mixed messages from authority figures with all the problems that result from

the inevitable confusion.

Christian education ensures that

teaching at home, church and school

is consistent avoiding mixedmessages with all the problems that

result the inevitable

confusion


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CONCLUDE

What do you think?

This leaflet is an overview of just some of the considerations we all face when

deciding our childrens future. Hopefully it has given you food for thought. Thank-

you for taking the time to read it.

If you have any questions, no matter how small, please call, email or write to us.

Email us at [email protected]

Phone the Head, Mrs Helen James on 01656 768028

Write to the address below.

Our website contains some great testimonials from parents and students. Italso has information about Bridgend Christian School and links to other sites.

Here is one quick testimonial

We have 2 children (aged 7 and 10). Our son started in a state school, but my wife

always wanted a Christian school for him. However, I was worried that hed be too

sheltered from the real world, have few friends and miss opportunities that stateschool gives. He wasnt happy in the state school, so we moved him to the

Christian school. To my surprise, I discovered that I was totally and utterly wrong!

The caring atmosphere was fantastic and soon our son was happy interacting with

children aged 3 to 18! It is like an extended family. Educationally he is doing well

and he interacts well with his non-Christian friends outside of school. It is a real

blessing to know that they are well cared for and so lovingly nurtured.

The facilities are not as good as we would like, but we are trusting God for the best

and believing that Bridgend Christian School will be an even better place to be!

Bridgend Christian School

59-63 High Street

Laleston

Bridgend

CF36 3QA

Charity: 1101632 Company: 4869145

www.bridgendchristianschool.co.uk

Why Christian Education

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