A reflection on Church Education

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him; Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” - 1 John 2:3 - 6

Throughout my elementary and middle school years, I regularly attended our church’s Sunday School classes. I remember learning the basics of Bible stories, singing songs, hearing stories of missionaries and studying figures in church history. When I was in high school, I attended classes that focused on different books of the bible, and was introduced to theology. I fondly remember one class that engaged Scripture as we worked through the TULIP acronym. It was my first formal exposure to doctrine and it was extremely formative for my faith development. As an adult, I am involved in an intergenerational Bible study which allows for some fruitful, challenging and encouraging conversation as we dive in to Biblical and theological themes. The specific objectives for educational or discipleship ministry may vary, based on age and maturity of the class, as is apparent through my experiences thus far. The purpose and role of providing education and discipleship ministries within the church is clear: to help believers in Jesus Christ become disciples of Jesus Christ.

To be an obedient disciple of God requires knowing God. God allows us to know him through his written word, the Holy Bible. While individually reading God’s word can prove beneficial and devotional, many of the lay people in our congregations have limited Biblical or theological training. Educational and discipleship ministries must instruct our congregants in what the church believes and why. We do a disservice in our churches and communities when we swing the pendulum to the side of ‘doing’ and neglect ‘knowing’. It is a blessing to have more than enough volunteers to help at the mobile food pantry, but are the volunteers also engaged in ministries that feed their own soul?

Educational ministries are often focused on children. We understand this, as Sunday school originated in order to reach out to uneducated and poor children by teaching them writing and reading with the Bible. Beginning the discipleship process with children is still essential, and Biblical. We are told in Deuteronomy 6 that we should be passing down our faith to the younger generations. And in Ephesians 6, fathers are instructed to bring up their children in the ‘training and instruction of the Lord’.

A few weeks ago I heard Dr. Kara Powell speak about the rate of students who abandon their faith after graduating high school. She states that the figure is as high as 40% - 50% within eighteen months after graduation. There are several factors that contribute to this, but I have to believe that one reason is that students leave high school not really sure of what it is they believe or why they believe it. It’s easy to leave a faith you don’t really know and understand. We need to properly train our children to help them foster a deep and rich faith that lasts a lifetime. 

Church education and discipleship should not neglect the adults in the congregations, however.  All followers have things to learn about God’s word, character and will. Sanctification is a process, and continually growing in our knowledge of the Lord and his word is a part of that process. No adult in the church, no matter their training or background as fully ‘arrived’ in their faith formation.

Educational and discipleship ministries are essential facets of a healthy church, for all ages and stages in faith formation. We must always remember, however, that Biblical knowledge and understanding does not always equal a faith that is alive. Therefore, we would do well to consider ways to ensure these ministries go beyond head knowledge, and penetrate the heart and lives of those engaged in them.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God” Philippians 1: 9 - 11