Philosophy of Christian Education Scripture says, '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).
Does this really only refer to Sunday schools, quiet times and the Christian home, or do we need also to consider the time spent in education and schooling in the same light?
Until the end of the 19th century, most education in the country was delivered through Christian institutions. Many of our most famous schools and universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) had a specifically Christian foundation and purpose. The secularisation of current education has been to the great detriment of our children and our nation. Values of righteousness, truth, morality, love, purity, honour and family have largely disappeared in the amoral melee of post-modern culture with its espousal of a secular 'neutrality' which tends to accept that everything (except Biblical Christianity) is good for all. We do not believe this secularisation is Biblically mandated. If you do not agree, we invite you to consider these issues.
Although there are some longstanding Christian-based schools, in the last 30 years God has moved many to rekindle Christian education in this country through new Christian schools and Christian home schools. However, we have been surprised and disappointed by a general lack of interest - if not antagonism - found in some churches. We wonder why this should be, and would like to present, from Scripture, four areas where we think that a truly Christian education is the better alternative.
We also believe that: •Christian education, ideally in the home, is the best form of education. True Christian education must include knowledge, which is the basis of secular academic education, as well as understanding and wisdom, which are God's requirements in the Bible. •The ultimate responsibility for the education of children belongs to parents. (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:1-25; 4:1-4)
Support Christian Education Europe has played, and is playing, a significant role in the lives of many hundreds of families. These are non-denominational Christian ministries, giving support in edification, education and encouragement so that parents may bring up children in the manner supported by the word of God, the Bible.
Our purpose is to promote biblical Christian education in the UK and Europe. We believe this biblical Christian education, at school or at home, to be the best form of education. By strengthening and supporting families, we help to benefit marriages, children, the local church, the local community and ultimately the nation and the world. We also help churches and other groups of Christians set up and maintain successful, firmly established Christian schools and larger home schools.
Christian Education Europe is a limited company. All charges are set low to keep access as wide as possible whilst covering costs. We provide many services, products (including a wide range of videos), publications, active encouragement and advice.
The services include training in homeschooling procedures, curriculum requirements, help with legal issues, parenting help, and practical help with conferences and student conventions.
We also provide through TEACH, diagnostic testing, curriculum prescriptions, discounted curriculum, preschool kits, academic record keeping and help from qualified staff.
our mission
Christian Education Europe's purpose is to promote biblical Christian education in the UK and Europe, thereby helping nourish a generation of young people who, as it states in Psalm 1, will be like trees planted by the rivers of water.
Christian Education Europe was set up in 1989 and assists churches and other groups of Christians set up and maintain successful, firmly established Christian schools and home schools.
CEE Ltd. provides Accelerated Christian Education materials and services to schools and home schools in the United Kingdom and Europe.
CHristian Education
1. Content In contrast to most modern curricula, whose influences are predominantly secular, the Bible talks about a curriculum which: -
• is wholesome, lovely, and of good report (Philippians 4: 8)
• sets our minds on things above (Colossians 3: 2)
• does not love the world (1 John 2: 15)
• brings in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6: 4)
• rejects profane babblings and old wives tales (1 Timothy 4: 7)
• avoids opposition of science falsely so called (1 Timothy 6: 20).
II. Culture and company The Bible speaks often of the benefits of positive and godly encouragement and company, a few of which are: -
• he who walks with the wise will be wise (Proverbs 13: 20)
• in Daniel 1, Daniel and his friends stood together
• bad company corrupts good character (I Corinthians 15: 33)
• the instructions in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 speak of a steady, day-long input of godly attitudes and perspectives from the older generation to the younger. Positive building of a godly world view comes from regular exposure to the truth.
• in Matthew 5: 13-14 we are told that we are salt and light and we are commanded to stay salty and visible. For our children to become and stay salt adults they need thorough godly training in their impressionable youth.
• Further, there is no doubt that good Christian friendships formed early in life are of great benefit in encouragement, avoidance of ungodly pressures and promotion of a continued godly lifestyle.
• children need an element of 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.
III. Character According to Scripture, raising men and women with a godly Christian character is one of the chief ends of a Christian upbringing: -
• it is required of the fathers/parents (Ephesians 6:4).
• it requires constant care and nurture and a consistent and persistent Christian input(Philippians 4: 8, Proverbs 2: 1-6).
• Christian character requires godly Christian role models, as in Hebrews 11, rather than the 'idols' common in a secular environment, where man is the measure of all things.
• Christian character is seen in its fruit (Galatians 5: 22-23) and wisdom and these fruits are more important in God's eyes than academic qualifications alone (Job 28: 12-28).
• 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 (Ephesians 6: 4); this is a contrast of aims and vision.
IV. Control and discipline The Bible has some unfashionable but necessary teaching in this area: -
• consistent discipline of children seems to bring its own reward (Proverbs 22: 6).
• in the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 18-19, the command for the Christian church is to make disciples of all nations: discipline and discipline are at the heart of the Churches' role.
• the Mosaic Law had clear do's and don'ts with corresponding blessings and sanctions (Deuteronomy 28).
• throughout Proverbs the role of parental teaching and discipline is clearly outlined - see Proverbs 1: 8; 3: 13; 4: 11, and Hebrews 12: 5-11.
A Christian education can continue with these principles in a seamless way so that children will find consistent teaching 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.
V. Conclusion Whilst we are aware of wonderful examples of children who have blossomed in God in secular education and of children from Christian schools who have gone sadly wrong, overall we see in children from Christian schools and home schools an impressive -
• consistency of lifestyle
• godly world view
• commitment to God's service
• high level of educational achievement
• wise and healthy choice of close friends and spouses
We would like to encourage you to consider a Christian education as the best option for your own children so that we can carefully and honestly fulfil God's commandments (Psalm 78: 5-8, Ephesians 6: 4). As Luther put it in vigorous 16th century Reformation language (rather than 21st century British understatement), "I am much afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures ...I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount".
We want to encourage you to find out more and to visit an ACE curriculum-based school or home school near you and be impressed !
Christian Education Europe Ltd.(CEE Ltd) is a non-denominational Christian ministry supporting parents and churches in their responsibility to provide Christian Education to the next generation in the manner supported by the word of God,the Bible.
Our Statement of Faith is based on the following beliefs:
1. The Holy Scriptures.
The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed, and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)
2. The Godhead. There is one God, the eternally existing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:10, 26)
3. Christ and His Work. The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
The Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-5)
The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfils the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)
4. The Total Depravity of Man. Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but in Adam's sin the human race fell, man inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
5. Salvation. The Bible teaches that there is only one way of salvation and that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; John 14:6)
6. Missions. God has given all Believers a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)
We would love to help you in any way. Normal working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Maranatha House,
Unit 5,
Northford Close, Shrivenham,
SN6 8HL, UK
