A Christ-centered Education, Part 4

© 2011 Vicki Lewis

“A Christ-centered education is one is which God is accorded His rightful place and is given all the significance He is due.” While trying to understand this definition better, we have looked at some biblical principles of education and at a possible order of curriculum from 2 Peter 1:5-8 over the previous three parts of this article. Let’s look at a third topic: what does it mean to give God the glory in education?

First Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do [home school your children!], do it all for the glory of God.” The Greek word translated glory is the word doxa which means “reputation.” The corresponding word in Hebrew is kabod meaning “weight.” Glory is therefore something that maintains God’s reputation, carries weight, is important, significant, influential. As we home school our children we are to teach and show our children that God’s reputation can be upheld and honored in each subject area; that God carries weight in academics; that He is both important and significant in history, in mathematics, in science; and that because He is sovereign, He influences all of knowledge. Do you see God in each area of your curriculum? You will need to see Him for yourself so that you can point Him out to your children!

Scripture also reminds us “...in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) To acknowledge means to make Christ known, to give recognition to Him, to admit His existence, to recognize Him as having power.

Perhaps you are already doing this as you go through your school day. If so, keep up the good work. But if this idea is new to you, keep reading!

Begin by asking yourself some questions: How can I acknowledge the Lord in this subject area? What importance, significance, and influence does God have in this subject?

Let’s try that process with history. How can I make Christ (God, and the Holy Spirit) known or acknowledge Him in this area? Are there glimpses of God that can be seen or “coincidences” that are just timed too perfectly? For instance, when I was in conventional school, every October we studied about Christopher Columbus. “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” I learned that he went to look for spices in the Indies and was very greedy for gold. Imagine my amazement when I finally discovered (as a homeschool mom) some information about Columbus’ faith in God! Never before had I heard of anything related to his spiritual beliefs or how he believed that God had directed his life. Can you spot God being influential in the following quotes from Columbus’ own writings?

“I found our Lord very well-disposed toward this my desire, and He gave me the spirit of intelligence for it. He prospered me in seamanship and supplied me with the necessary tools, of astrology [astronomy], as well as geometry and arithmetic and ingenuity of intellect and of manual skill to draw spherical maps which show cities, rivers and mountains, islands and ports---everything in its proper place...Who doubts that this illumination was from the Holy Spirit? He, with marvelous rays of light, consoled me through the holy and sacred Scriptures...encouraging me to proceed.”¹

“It was the Lord who put it into my mind---I could feel His hand upon me---the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me.”²

“I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence....No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just, and if the intention is purely for His holy service.”³

“My hope in the One who created us all sustains me: He is an ever present help in trouble....When I was extremely depressed, He raised me with His right hand, saying, ‘O man of little faith, get up, it is I; do not be afraid.’”⁴

Did you see how Columbus gives glory and credit to God for the idea and the talents to sail? Does it make your heart skip a beat with amazement when you read something like this? Won’t your children be delighted to understand that God was active and noticeable in the discovery of this continent?

There is much argument nowadays about setting aside a day to honor Columbus. While it is true that Columbus was not the first European to have sailed to this continent (perhaps Leif Ericson was) and the native Americans were already here, God sovereignly chose Columbus to be the one who brought this area to the attention of Europe. The New World became headline-making news! Prior to this time, God had not desired much publicity for these lands. After Columbus, however, the secret was out and explorers came and made a way in the wilderness.

On the heels of this age of exploration came the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent persecutions of Protestants throughout Europe. It then became obvious that God had gone before and prepared a place in the New World as a spiritual haven for the protection of His people.

In Part 5, I will share another example of giving God the glory due His name in home schooling.