Theologically Informed Christian education.

 

            This week, my class is challenged to consider the Christian education of our local church through the lens found in chapter 11 Toward a Theologically Informed Approach to Education.[1]  Within the chapter, there are references made for different strategies associated with Christian education.  The topic of Christian education could include Sunday school, Wednesday bible study, small groups, or even a church school.  My local church does not have a connect Christian school; however, we have regularly maintained Sunday school and Wednesday night bible study for many years.  Unfortunately, these programs have suffered due to COVID in 2020.  We shut down our Sunday school program except for a slimmed down children’s program on Sunday mornings.  Our Wednesday night bible study has morphed toward a more online approach this year, but it is part of our practices.  It is through our Wednesday night bible study that I will reflect upon my reading.

            The church’s ministry of education can be best defined by our desire to see everyone be a student of God’s Word.  Whether one is a part of a small discipleship banding together group or a regular attender to Wednesday night bible study, they are challenged to dig into reading God’s Word.  Those who would lead a small group or teach on Wednesday night know the purpose is to share God’s Word with the congregation.  The educational components to our programs are merely a bible and a study guide.  The senior pastor administrates the programs; however, each is derived from the teacher’s experience and resources.  For the Wednesday bible study, the senior pastor is the regular teacher and finds his substitutes.  There is no defined prerequisite for teaching other than the pastor’s evaluation of the individual’s spiritual journey.

            There is room to grow for our Christian education.  We could add other small groups or look for ways to integrate our small groups with acts of service, but I can say there is some Christian education happening at the church.  It is a matter of making it intentional Christian education.

 

[1] Estep Jr., Anthony, and Allison, A Theology of Christian Education.

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