Education and Christian Education

Education and Christian Education

Definition of Education

The meaning of the word ‘educate’ is to draw out. It comes from the root ‘educare’ which means to bring out that which is hidden. It is known to be loosely used as meaning ‘to instruct’ as well as ‘to train’. To train is to mould the student according to the plan of the teacher so that student does little in the way of exercising individual thinking.[1] Christian education, in its right perspective, is the harmonious, all round development of the individual stressing the means of helping person grow in the pattern of Jesus Christ. It is also education within a social process, and the community is the Christian home on the one hand the church as a redemptive fellowship on the other.[2]

Education is the most important development of mankind and humanity. It is more important medicine, weapons and even of language, because language too was the product of his education. Man without education would still be living just like an animal. It is education which transformed man from a mere two-legged animal into human. It helps him to behave like a man and prevents him from behaving like an animal.[3] The behavioral changes must be directed towards a desirable end. They should be acceptable socially, culturally and comically and result in a change in knowledge, skill, attitude and understanding. With the development of society; education has taken many shapes, such as child education, adult education, technical education, health education, physical education and so on. [4]

Christian Education

Etymologically the word education can offer a significant clue to the nature of the activity of education itself. The English word education comes from the latin word ducare (and its cognate ducere), meaning “to lead,” and the prefix e, meaning “out.” At its root meaning, then education is an activity of “leading out.”[5]  Learning is an important part of Christian pilgrimage, and learning is perhaps best understood in the light of the model Jesus gives of apprentices learning from the master in an active and personal way. The Hebrew-Christian tradition is committed to moral education to enable people to love and serve both God and neighbour.  The family in OT is the context in which God’s law is taught (Duet. 6:1-7).[6]  Thus, Christian Education according to Nevin C. Harner, “is a reverent attempt to discover the divinely ordained process by which individual grow toward Christlikeness, and to work with that process.”[7] In simple sense Christian Education can be also described as the synthesizing of all knowledge in the light of the Christian revelation.[8]

Theological basis for Christian Education

1.1.  Old Testament

In OT God was projected as the first teacher. He utilized the means of education to make himself known to people. God used law to educate people. His aim was to make himself known to other people. The particular Jewish race was given norms laws and commandments. He structured socio, ethical, religious, spiritual life of Jewish people, Deut. 6: 4 – 9. Through their life God wanted other people and nations to know God. The greatest commandment he gave to people is basic of Jewish faith which was to be passed on to generations through traditions and rituals and festivals.

1.1.1.Family

The Hebrew was the devout religious race and education was religious in nature or education was in the means of religious education. The family was the educational unit and parents as their teacher. Example, Moses gave educational mandate charging the parents with the religious instruction of their children (Duet. 6:7). It was at home religious instruction. Here we find parents have taken commandments very seriously. Teaching in home was Gods basic plan for the family. In the family God’s will was to be made known to the child and must have been resulted in practice. In Jewish family recitation of shema was important (Deut 6: 4 – 9). This was foundation to all Hebrew and Jewish belief.[9]

1.1.2.Synagogue

Synagogue was a place of instruction as well as worship. The classes were daily conducted for children on Sabbath and on market days special services for adult were held. There developed a class of religious leaders, the scribes were interpret the scripture and teacher as well. This was provided for the instruction of boys between the age of 6 and 16. And the teachers were the scribes. However, there were conditions.[10]

1.1.3.Patriarchal period (Abraham to Joseph; (Gen 12 – 18)

God chose Abraham to teach his children and households after him and assist his descendants to know God and transmit God path. At that time means of education was natural and informal. Obedience was taught. That time law was not given. Vocational responsibility was learned by watching parents and they slowly built altars to worship God. Children learned culture and covenant.[11]

1.1.4.Priests

Priests were agents of people before God and they were known as national teachers. They

read the Torah once in seven years (Duet. 4: 10 – 30). They performed various duties, such as to advice people by performing sacrifices and ceremonies they were communicating the will of God. Priests teach people how to worship of every sacrifice, simple ceremony, symbols and rituals were the basis to give the feeling and attitude of God. Also train new Levites concerning the sacrifice, rituals, ceremonies, festival duties. And interpret God’s will for human being and teach people how to live together. Priests have to heal the sick by performing ritual.[12]

1.1.5.Prophets

Prophets were agents to God on behalf of people. Prophets were necessary to bring people to right conduct. They were stern guardians of individuals. They regarded, guided and taught people on national conduct and statesmanship and revealed true nature and character of God. They were also known as soul of Israel and brought God’s massage to people. They objected wrong behaviour, denounced oppression, injustice and also spoke to leaders and kings, demonstrated and taught through symbolic lessons. (Jer. 13: 1 – 7). The God centred was the education during prophet’s time. They proclaim people, to repent and turn from sin and led them towards vindication and reconciliation. They made people understand righteousness is right of God and they also taught to observe religious festivals and rituals.[13]

1.2. New Testament

Jesus was the master of education. During His educational program there were no classroom and schedules. It was through apprenticeship (traineeship). Jesus taught the multitude; during meal time as well as period of prayer. Jesus had divided and sends his disciple two by two to teach people with instruction. They were their home and synagogue schools and memorized large portions of the Scripture. But Jesus inserts to the old tests saying ‘you have heard that it was said…but I say unto you Mathew 5:21, 22.[14]

1.2.1.Content of Jesus teaching

The content of Jesus teaching were, Social issues eschatological, spiritual, Faith, Kingdom of God, relationship between commandments, righteousness, moral and ethics, reciprocal of law, Prayer, forgiveness of sin, worshiping, etc.[15]

1.2.2.Methods

The methods of Jesus teaching were simple and ordinary use of human life, such as comparison, poetry, personal touch, stories, Parables, discussion, debate, healing forgiving sins, loving, casting out demons,  preaching, teaching signs, miracles, metaphors, object visions, coin, sheep tree, fruit, vine, mustard seed etc, touching, action, washing feet , authoritative speaking, dialogue, question and answer, riddles. [16]

1.2.3.Purpose

The purpose of teaching during Jesus movement were Kingdome of God, salvation, eternity, understand father through him, to make understand God the father and Holy Spirit, righteousness, repentance, reconciliation between god and man[17]

1.2.4.Pupils

The Jesus pupils were sinners, tax collectors, women, Pharisees, prostitutes, fishermen, intellectuals, Samaritans, gentiles, Rich, young, children, sick, untouchable, scholars.[18]

 [1] Vimala Paulus, Introducing Christian Education, (Madras; CLS: 1986.) pg 1-2.

[2] Randolph Crump Miller, Education for Christian living (New York; Prentice Hall: 1957)pg 53

[3] Ramesh Ghanta, Foundations of Education, (New Delhi: Neelkamal Publications Pvt. Ltd,2011)pg 6

[4] http://agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=7&topicid=524

[5] Thomas H. Groome, Christian religious education: sharing our story and vision (San Francisco: Harper & Row. 1980), 5.

[6] David Atkinson, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology (Leicester: Inter- Varsity Press. 1995), 335.

[7] Nevin C. Harner, Educational work of the church (New York: Abingdon Press. c.1939),20.

[8] http://archive.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_057_2_Perfect.pdf

[9]Peter P. Person, An Introduction To Christian Education (Michigan: Baker Book House, 1958), 22.

[10]Ibid …, 23.

[11]Ibid …, 22.

[12]Kenneth O. Gangel and Warren S. Benson, Christian Education: Its History and Philosophy (Chicago: Moody Press,1943), 24.

[13]Kenneth O. Gangel and Warren S. Benson, Christian Education: Its History and Philosophy (Chicago: Moody Press,1943), 25.

[14]Ibid…, 24.

[15]Clarence H. Benson, A popular History of Christian Education ( Chicago: Moody Press, 1943), 30.

[16]Ibid…, 31.

[17]Ibid…, 32.

[18]Clarence H. Benson, A popular History of Christian Education ( Chicago: Moody Press, 1943), 32-33.