Serving Jesus in Education I. Introduction A. Education: a critical and formative aspect of modern human life 1. Getting an education has become so “normal” that it is assumed that every child begins going to school at 4 to 5 years old, and will continue in school for 13+ years 2. If a person wants to be able to work so as to live comfortably, our modern economy now demands a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and for many a master’s degree as well 3. To this end we expect everyone to spend the vast majority of their time during their formative years, from 5 to 24, in the educational system, learning what has been deemed the fundamental, basic lessons of civilized man, and then specializing in a given field 4. Education itself provides employment for a wide array of teachers, instructors, professors, administrators, bureaucrats, etc. B. Yet education has often been perceived as a threat to the faith in Christ Jesus 1. We hear stories all the time: young Johnny or Jane were growing up to be great Christians, but then they went away to college and lost their faith 2. Many maintain the attitude that God has been systematically removed from our educational system over the past seventy years; much has been made of the antipathy, or outright hostility, practicing Christians experience in the classroom 3. Yet long before the public school system developed, many Christians looked askance on “higher education”; there has been a notable anti-intellectual streak in many quarters of the church for generations 4. Nevertheless, there can be many aspects of our modern educational system which do stand against what God has made known in Jesus, and many educational authorities who revile and blaspheme the faith C. Education proves necessary in the modern age, but it poses its difficulties for Christians D. Thus we do well to explore how all involved can seek to serve Jesus in their education 1. How should we approach education as servants of the Lord Jesus? 2. How can students serve Jesus in their time in the classroom? 3. How can educators serve Jesus in their discipline? II. The Lord Jesus, the Treasury of Knowledge A. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6 that He is the truth; therefore, all that is true, right, and good is embodied in Jesus 1. John 14:6 is not disconnected from John 1:1-18; the Word of God as having made the creation, and having made known God’s purposes and God’s interactions with His people 2. Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3: Jesus active in sustaining the creation 3. Thus, to this end, all that has been made known of God in Christ in Scripture is true (2 Timothy 3:15-17) B. Paul expands on this theme in Colossians 2:1-10 1. Paul desired for the Colossian Christians to be rooted in Christ 2. Paul considered Christ the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge 3. Paul did not want the Colossians deceived by worldly philosophies according to the rudiments of the world C. Paul also sets forth an important general principle in Romans 1:20 1. Characteristics of God can be perceived in the creation 2. A theme also seen in Psalms 8:1-9, 19:1 D. Thus Christians are to recognize the universe as God’s creation, intelligible since its Maker is Intelligent, testifying to His power and divine nature, and is continually sustained by God E. Christians serving the Lord Jesus in education will need to approach all academic pursuits in light of all these principles F. Christians should not fear the pursuit of truth: if Jesus is the truth, and the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge, all that which is true will point back to Him 1. Far too many have become overly fundamentalist, presuming as if the Bible is a textbook for all sorts of disciplines 2. Such has led to distortions in understanding of the creation and distortions in Biblical interpretation! 3. We learn regarding God and His interactions with His people in Scripture 4. There is much we can learn about the way the creation works through the sciences 5. There is much to consider in terms of life and meaning from the humanities 6. We ought to have some kind of understanding regarding our heritage and the nature of people from the social sciences G. The question and challenge always involved how truth is ascertained, and how often error and distortion are presented as truth: our challenge is to develop appropriate critical thinking skills to discern what is good, right, and true from what is false, of the worldly philosophies, and contrary to Christ 1. There are facts, and there is the story which is put together to make sense of the facts 2. Politics demonstrates for all of us very quickly how the same facts can be used to tell very different narratives! 3. As Christians we will have to work diligently to sort out what the facts are and how those facts can be understood as glorifying God in Christ 4. This is especially true in the sciences in light of the change of assumption 250 years ago from an essentially alive creation to an essentially sterile cosmos, and all of its attendant consequences H. Christians must maintain an important distinction: learning so as to understand what an idea or theory means does not demand agreement with the idea or theory 1. Many have understood the wisdom of having an idea of what one’s opponent is thinking so as to be able to circumvent what he is doing; a similar principle can hold in education 2. Many have thought it wiser to suppress the knowledge of certain ideas or theories which were deemed contrary to the faith; many have wandered off from the faith because they “discovered” what had been suppressed, and pursued it 3. We go back to our primary principle: if Jesus is the truth, we have nothing to fear from the exploration of truth 4. Christians can learn about all kinds of theories, from evolution to higher literary criticism of the Bible, without having to agree to those theories; indeed, to be able to cogently argue against any such idea or theory, one must first have some understanding of it! 5. We have done ourselves quite the disservice by avoiding coming to appropriate understandings of that with which we disagree, and making statements which do nothing more than demonstrate our ignorance; we may rally the base, but we are repelling anyone who does not automatically agree with us! I. Yet Christians also do well to heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 8:1: knowledge puffs up 1. It proves all too easy for people to think they are better than other people on account of superior knowledge; such is not the case! 2. Humans easily think they know more than they really do, or think they will find salvation through knowledge, which they will not 3. Very educated humans very easily become very arrogant humans! 4. It is easy for people to think they can explain more than they can, or master the creation through their knowledge, and these are dangerous ideas 5. Untold amount of suffering has resulted from people who think they know better imposing their idealized knowledge onto others! 6. Christians are better served with humility: Jesus is the truth; Jesus is the fountain of wisdom and knowledge; we will never be able to fully plumb its depths! 7. We do well to recognize that we do not know as much as we think we know, and what we think we know has all kinds of assumptions built into it that might well prove false, and our problem is often that we cannot countenance that things are the way we are sure they cannot possibly be! J. Every Christian in education, students and educators, can navigate the educational field most effectively if they remember that Jesus is Lord and the Source of all knowledge, and we ought to humbly strive to serve and glorify Him in our pursuit of greater understanding of the creation, ourselves, and how it all works! III. Serving Jesus as a Student A. As Christians we must find ways, in all of our relationships, to submit to the Lord Jesus and to submit that relationship to Jesus’ Lordship (e.g. Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Colossians 3:17); and so it must be when we are students B. Students do well to learn and understand in their academic environment, and be in appropriate subjection to their teachers and administrators 1. Christians ought to put good faith efforts into their academic endeavors just like they would in their employment efforts (cf. Ephesians 6:5-9) 2. Christians will most likely learn things and be exposed to things which are not consistent with God’s purposes in Jesus; they must handle these situations with maturity, finding ways to learn what is to be learned while submitting to Jesus as Lord 3. Teachers are figures with authority invested in them, and as such, ought to be properly respected and honored (Romans 13:1-2, 7); such does not mean that the Christian must always agree with their ideas C. Students must maintain their connection with the people of God and have a mentor in the faith with whom they can discuss questions or difficulties 1. God works in and through His people: always has, always will; thus, 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, Hebrews 10:24-25 2. The model of education found in Scripture featured a mentor discipling a mentee, teaching them through instruction and embodied demonstration: thus Jesus with His disciples, Paul with Timothy, Titus, etc. (cf. Matthew 10, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, especially 2 Timothy 2:2) 3. These models of encouragement and exhortation retain value even as our educational system has shifted 4. We all hear of the students who go off to college and lose their faith; with many, there was not much faith with which to begin, and while this does and can happen, it happens far less when those students intentionally connect with a local congregation and seek out and maintain a Christian with whom they can freely discuss the challenges the student is experiencing 5. Even middle schoolers and high schoolers do well to have a Christian with whom they can discuss things 6. Mentors can help a Christian sort out what is commendable from what ought to be cast off, and work through a lot of the doubts, fears, and challenges which come from the transition from childhood to adulthood 7. Association with the people of God can help tether the Christian student to the real world, and build and develop healthy spiritual relationships 8. Yes, at times, the lessons learned will be less pleasant, and Christians and churches will not be as accommodating or provide the kind of support necessary; we should still not give up on God’s people, and we still need to have some kind of mentor or encourager in our lives! D. Students ought to witness to their faith, yet in ways which respect their environment and the integrity of everyone present (Matthew 28:18-20) 1. It is not for the student to constantly seek to correct the teacher, or prove ignorant, cantankerous, or any other negative attribute in attempting to bring Christ to their environment 2. Christian students do best with relational evangelism: getting to know fellow students, allowing fellow students to get to know them, and to embody the Christian faith, and invite questions 3. The Christian student would be well served to have understanding of basic apologetic arguments and a working knowledge of the Gospel story to be able to effectively communicate it with their fellow students and others as they have opportunity or need 4. The Christian student may have opportunities to invite friends or classmates to assemblies or Bible studies, and should take advantage of those opportunities 5. But the Christian student must recognize when people do not want to hear it and to prove willing to knock the dust off their feet; we are not to impose Jesus upon others, but witness according to His example (Matthew 10:14) E. In all things Christian students should bathe their time and efforts in prayer 1. Colossians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 2. Christian students should pray for strength, wisdom, and insight to learn their studies, to succeed in their academic exploits, and to discern what is good from what is not 3. Christian students should pray for their teachers and fellow students, both for their welfare and that they may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, and for opportunities to speak the truth and the boldness and wisdom to do so effectively 4. Christian students should pray for their fellow people of God, and the people of God should be praying for their fellow Christians who are students F. The Christian student does well to approach their studies and their time as students in the boldness and confidence of faith while maintaining a personally humble disposition, understanding that learning can be good but is not absolute, and that Jesus is Lord of all, and Lord of education, and we ought to submit to Him in all things! IV. Serving Jesus as an Educator A. Christians who labor in the field of education find themselves in a bit of a bind: often their employer would have them leave their faith at the door before they walk into school, and yet their faith is to inform how they work and relate with the students and fellow educators (cf. Ephesians 6:5-9) B. And yet educators can do much to glorify Jesus in education! C. Educators ought to take their jobs seriously and seek to instruct young people in their studies as to the Lord (Ephesians 6:5-9) D. Educators should recognize the limitations of their field of discipline and point out those limitations to their students 1. This is a call for humility in academic exploits and endeavors 2. Interdisciplinary studies are a thing, and important, but far too often certain disciplines (often the sciences) presume to have a word to speak in other disciplines where they do not belong as much (often the humanities), and that should be corrected 3. It is appropriate to point out how, in every field, people make mistakes, assumptions color conclusions, and humility is encouraged as the discipline is pursued! 4. It helps, as an educator, to model such humility: to recognize when you have made mistakes, to not be seen as the know-it-all, and to invite exploration and wonder regarding God’s creation E. Christian educators may not have the opportunity to evangelize their students, but they certainly can, and should, provide a godly example and influence upon their students 1. Educators today are often expected to do far more than instruct in a discipline: they are often called upon to assist students with all sorts of problems and challenges 2. In these circumstances the Christian educator can encourage and strengthen students, care for them, love them, display patience, and provide wise and good counsel F. The Christian educator can have a stronger influence on his or her peers, and might have the opportunity to speak a word of life to them, and lead them to the truth! G. As with students, so with educators: all they do should be bathed in prayer: prayer for strength in educating, wisdom to discern what is good from what is not, for the students and their welfare and that they might come to a knowledge of the truth of God in Christ and be saved, for fellow educators, etc. H. Educators often maintain profound influence in the lives of their students, and Christian educators ought to exercise this influence to the glory of God 1. Christian educators should never just think of students as students, but as growing and developing human beings 2. Students sometimes want to still maintain connections with their teachers after their shared time in the classroom, and who knows what kind of further influence a Christian educator can have on such students? 3. We need not reduce this influence to evangelism; relational evangelism is also effective for the Christian educator, and not because of a mere interest to gain converts, but actual care and concern for the people whom they influence as teachers I. Such forms of influence exist for all who interact with youth in education! J. The Christian educator does well to approach their career in boldness and confidence in faith, humbly trusting in the Lord Jesus, glorifying Jesus by exemplifying Christian witness in a classroom, loving students and seeking their welfare in all things V. Conclusion A. Few these days expect to find the Lord Jesus in education, but education and the Lord Jesus are not in opposition B. The Lord Jesus is the truth; in Christ can be found the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge C. Students should not fear knowledge, nor should they become arrogant when they obtain it; instead, they do well to seek to serve the Lord Jesus and glorify Him in all things relating to their education, and to maintain connection with the people of God throughout D. Educators must appropriately honor those who employ them but must not be afraid to reflect their submission to the Lord Jesus in the classroom, loving and caring for students, and seeking their welfare E. May we all glorify God in Christ in our educational exploits and in all we do so as to obtain the resurrection of life! F. Invitation Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Education is an important part of life in the modern world. Many Christians look at education with skepticism and concern. And yet Jesus is the truth. God made all things through Jesus; the creation testifies to God’s power and nature. God has made known His purposes in Jesus. Christians can learn about the creation and glorify God in the process. Christians should not fear inquiry into truth, for in Jesus all truth can be found. May we pursue the truth in God in Christ and obtain the resurrection of life! 2: As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). Paul was concerned for the Colossian Christians falling prey to the philosophies of man. He encouraged them to root themselves in Jesus. In Jesus was the treasury of all knowledge and wisdom, not in the philosophies of men. This same concern exists to this day. The philosophies of men are seductive. And yet, for the Christian, Jesus ought to be the treasury of all knowledge and wisdom. Whatever is true finds its home in Jesus. May we stand firm for the truth of God in Christ, and seek to understand all things through our faith in Him! 3: Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth (1 Corinthians 8:1). The big challenge in education is the arrogance which can easily come with knowledge. Students and teachers can become arrogant because they gain and maintain a lot of information. Many believe they have come to know better than God about things. We humans may know many things, but there is still far more that we do not know. We do not know as much as we think we do! We do better to remain humble, and seek to learn not to master or manipulate but to give God the glory for all He has done in Jesus! 4: Not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men (Ephesians 6:6-7). Christian students do well to put in diligent effort into their studies and to respect and honor their teachers. Christian educators do well to respect their employers while seeking to glorify God in Christ in what they teach. Students and educators should seek to embody Jesus toward their fellow students and educators. All involved should pray for one another. Who can know what kind of influence Christians can have in education? May we all seek to glorify God in Christ in our efforts and embody Jesus in our relationships!