Throughout the Scriptures one can clearly see that God created man to know Him. J.I. Packer understood this truth when he wrote,
Once you become aware that the main business you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall in place of their own accord.
This means that knowing God is the key to understanding our ultimate purpose. Once we know the ultimate purpose for our existence, life can be lived with meaning. Consider the following statement.
Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose – to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means. Francis Shaeffer
When we understand our ultimate purpose behind our existence, we can then understand the purpose that should drive our educational efforts for our children and youth. Simply put, the education we give our children must lead them to know God fully. However, the only way our children can know God is by Him revealing Himself to them. God has provided three ways in which He reveals Himself to man.
Of course, we know that it is important for our children to know Jesus personally and to read and study the Bible. However, we often fail to realize that God can also be known by studying His creation. Two passages of Scripture stress the importance of knowing God by studying what He made.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV)
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
It is extremely important that every subject that our children study leads them to know God more fully. The late Dr. Albert Greene stated it well.
We must avoid the impression that academics represents the fullness of what school is all about. Knowing God in and through the creation is what is important…It brings no honor to the Holy Spirit if we then proceed to treat the ordinary school studies, which are derived totally from the created world, as if they had nothing to do with God. They are laden with meaning because they are all part of God’s way of giving Himself to us, of making Himself known to us.
It is a growing conviction of mine that knowing God must be the driving force behind the education we provide our children and youth at home, church and school. As we prepare for the new school year, it is important that this emphasis play a major role in the professional development of our staff.
This is the reason why I developed the KEM Prime Membership that allows schools to subscribe to a wide variety of resources designed for this very purpose. It is my desire to see the next generation of educators know, understand and be committed to a biblical philosophy of education so that future generations will fulfill their purpose by knowing God and glorifying God is all they think, say and do.
While I was at LifeWay Christian Resources, I participated in a leadership retreat that was led by Neil Anderson. It was at this retreat I learned some valuable principles that need to be followed when planning for the future. I want to share these principles with you as many Christian school leaders will be planning for the upcoming school year.
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