What is the Purpose of Christian Education? – Part 2

Last time, in part 1, I touched on a number of verses that speak to education. It is imperative to understand education from a biblical worldview if we are to raise children in the nurture and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). As I have mentioned before this also is imperative because once we see what God calls for in the way of education it should became clear that the public education system is diametrically opposed to God’s plan for education and thus not acceptable for the children of Christian parents.

The public education system seeks to remove God from education but in truth He is simply replaced by the god of humanism. Everybody worships some god and the god of humanism is man himself and not the one God who created man. Any education children receive from the state is by its very nature and direction man centered and seeks to minimize or negate the God of the Bible, many times at all costs. Children in the public school system are bombarded by humanism for 8 hours a day which is difficult to counteract by most professing Christian parents with the remaining time left even for the most diligent parent. Needless to say it is easy to see where this leads to and that is a generation that has no more a biblical worldview than the schools they are taught by.

Here are some more verse that speak to the nature and direction of education:

Jer 10:2
Thus says the LORD: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,

This verse speaks about the worthlessness of the cultures ways. This does not say we cannot teach what other cultures ways are but we are not to teach children so as they become their ways. In the public school system that is one of the main goals. That goal is to train children to be a part of society and fit the norms and morays of the people instead of teaching them to obey the commands of God. Keep in mind the worlds ways are not God’s ways and one cannot be taught one without it affecting the other.


Matt 12:30
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters
When deciding if public school is for children of believing parents contemplate the words of Jesus here. The school system cannot proclaim that God cannot enter the classroom and at the same time be for God. Thus to send children to public school is to send them into a system that is against God.


Matt 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
These words of Jesus should give us pause as anyone contemplates sending their children to the government schools. To send them where the goal is to separate God from education is to put them in a position to sin. Contemplate the position you put your children into by sending them to public school and this verse becomes one we should be concerned with.


Matt 28:20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
While we often think of this verse only in terms of evangelism we should do so with our children in mind as this is our first place of evangelism. We are called not to make converts but disciples and when we send our children off to be taught by the government we are definitely not raising/discipling them to obey God’s commands. The public school system does quite the contrary and in reality seek to undermine all that God commands.


Luke 6:39-4039 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher

This verse is imperative as it truly reflects the nature of the government educational system, that it is blind since it seeks its answers in man not God. The result of all of this is that the student will in the end be like the one that teaches them and in the public school system that is to become a “good” pagan humanist. As I have mentioned already, don’t fool yourself that minimal time at home and in some Sunday school will overcome the 8 hours a day the student is being indoctrinated.


2 Cor 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
While this verse is usually used with regards to marriage as well as business partnerships it is equally valid for education. The act of teaching is truly discipleship and when the student spends so much time with the teacher/teachers they are in a manner yoked to them. Not only are they yoked to the teachers but in the end the goal of government education is to be yoked to the state.



Eph 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

This may be the last verse listed but it is integral to understanding education from a biblical worldview. The training and discipleship of our children is to be centered on God not man as the humanistic public school system has as a focus. Many may balk at this and say what about math, reading, writing and the such but the point here is that all of those subjects when taught need to be taught with God as the focus and that will not happen in government run schools.

These are only some of the verses that speak to aspects of education and raising our children from a biblical worldview. The challenge for Christian parents is to realize God does speak to how we are to raise our children and His commands are not vague. We as Christian parents and especially fathers need to see that it is our position and duty to raise and to educate/disciple our children. It is too important a task to leave to others. I realize that many parents have gotten themselves to a place where a change is difficult but that should be no reason not to make the change. For those that are new parents I urge you to see what scripture says about educating your children and then seek to follow God’s commands.


Also, the following is a great post by Voddie Baucham: Top Five Reasons Not to Send Your Kids Back to Govt. Schools.

Here are the reasons he gave, you can read the post for the details.

5. You don’t have to
4. America’s schools are among the worst in the industrialized world
3. America’s schools are morally repugnant
2. Government education is anti-Christian
1. The Bible commands Christ-centered education


Series Posts
1) Christian Homeschooling and Charter Schools
2) What is the purpose of Christian Education: Part 1 & Part 2
3) Should the Government be involved in the Education of our children
4) Why are we so easily swayed by the money & items offered by charter schools?
5) Should not my children be in the public school to be lights in a dark place?
6) Why do we need to meet man’s standards for education?
7) Why do we need relief or a respite from the presence of our children?
8) Isn't how we educate our children a preference?
9) What if my husband says he does not want to homeschool?