A Historical Study of Christian Education: Past - Present - Future

By Ruby M. Jackson

Christian education recognizes the value of family throughout Scripture; it re-affirms the centrality of biblical revelation in the teaching process. It examines Jesus as teacher, mentor, and leader. It recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit and responds to the Great Commission in ministry and refocuses on education for spiritual growth.
In this book, I have provided biblically supportive documented views of those persons who influenced or those who were influenced by Christian educational concepts in the process of teaching and learning. The historians referenced in this book do not claim to be theologians or philosophers, but educators with expertise in the area of Christian education.
The Old and New Testaments will be used as biblical references, along with other supporting documents throughout this book to illustrate Gods Word and its implication in the teaching and learning of His people. Finally, you will have a better understanding of the true meaning of Christian education in the following areas:
purpose
a historical perspective
instructional process
targeted population
leadership
home

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490804491

Ruby M. Jackson

Dr. Ruby M. Jackson is a graduate of Alabama State University and Bethany Bible Theology College. She holds a BS in elementary education, Master of Elementary Education, Master of Learning Disabilities, AA in administration and leadership, and a doctorate in Christian education. Dr. Jackson retired from Alabama Public Schools with more than thirty years of service as an administrator and classroom teacher, former university adjunct instructor. She is currently founder/CEO of McRae & Hall Learning Development Center Inc., education consultant, and radio host guest, motivational speaker, minister of prison and jail ministries and associate pastor at her local church.

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Copyright © 2013 Ruby M. Jackson, Dr, AA, MS, BS.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-0450-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0451-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0449-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013914225

WestBow Press rev. date: 2/4/2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1:   PURPOSE OF STUDY

CHAPTER 2:   A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

A.   WHAT IS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?

B.   BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

C.   HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

D.   SYNAGOGUE AND EDUCATION

E.   PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

F.   THE FUTURE OUTLOOK IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

CHAPTER 3:   INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

A.   JESUS CHRIST, THE MASTER TEACHER

B.   THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PURPOSE IN EDUCATION

C.   THE TEACHER’S PURPOSE IN EDUCATION

D.   INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

E.   EEFLECTIONS

CHAPTER 4:   THE TARGETED POPULATION

CHAPTER 5:   CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

CHAPTER 6:   CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE HOME

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

To Valerie and Courtney Marie,

You have been a great joy and blessing to me.

Valerie, my only child, and Courtney Marie, my only grandchild—I love you both; you are beautiful and precious gifts from God.

May each of you continue to love, serve, and acknowledge God with all your heart, body, and soul.

Love Always,

Mom

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It would have been impossible for me to accomplish the task of conducting this research study without the inspiration, guidance, and direction of the Holy Spirit.

To my beautiful girls, Valerie and my granddaughter, Courtney Marie—I am eternally grateful to God for having had the opportunity to be mother and grandmother to you. The two of you have truly been wonderful children, and your loving, untiring support has been a blessing and inspiration to me. Thank you for allowing me to be such an intricate part of your lives.

To my parents, Jannie and Ben Hall, who have gone on to live with the Lord, I am grateful for their Christian parenting skills given to me and my sisters and brothers.

To my mother, thank you for all your encouragement, spiritual guidance, and everlasting love and support. Your kind, loving spirit will never depart from my heart. Thank you, Mom, for being a Christian role model for me and for everyone in the community. Thank you also for making an everlasting impression in my life. Finally, thank you for encouraging my brother Charles and me to get a college education. I would not be the person I am today had it not been for your leadership and vision that was passed on to you from your parents. Again, thank you. I praise your spiritual presence, which continues to live deep down within my soul.

To the instructors at Bethany Bible College and Theological Seminary and Selma University, thanks for your unselfish support, encouragement, and fellowship. To my family and friends and to my church family, I extend my gratitude for your love and support during this most challenging time in my life.

INTRODUCTION

The controversy continues regarding Christian education, secular education, and the freedoms of speech and religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Legal issues and court cases are on the rise all across America in defense of students and parents who are in pursuit of exercising their individual civil liberties and of denouncing the censorship of religious expression by public school administrators. The lack of recognition of students’ Christian education rights appears to cut across all academic levels. Attorneys are litigating cases not only on behalf of secondary school students but also kindergartners and elementary school students.

On February 7, 2003, the US Department of Education reaffirmed and issued its Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. The Department of Education’s guidance mirrors what the federal courts have said about the constitutional rights of religious students.

The First Amendment fully protects the free speech rights of students. It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate. The Supreme Court has emphasized that religious speech is entitled to the same protections as secular speech under the First Amendment.

In light of the federal government’s guidance to state and local educators and the Supreme Court’s rulings on religious expression, school districts have an affirmative obligation to understand and respect the rights of all their students, including religious students. I believe the majority of school officials strive to honor student liberties, but when they fail to live up to their constitutional responsibilities, students and their families are within their legal rights to pursue recourse through the legal system.

There is much public debate about the direction of Christian education and the role secular education should take in relation to it. Our national and local leaders are divided over who should govern and be the guardians of education in America.

The historical influence of religion and Christian education on America’s educational process can provide leverage to inform and involve parents as they accept more responsibility for educating their children.

The majority of parents believe in some type of higher power, and since these parents believe they will be held accountable for the critical years of their children’s development, educators and politicians should encourage them to do so. Parents who do not embrace allegiance to a higher power are generally motivated by moral, social, societal, and cultural influences to seek the best for their children