Public Blog

Terms like “biblical integration” and “biblical worldview” are commonly heard these days in the world of Christian education, as they should be.  We need daily reminders that the word of God must be at the center of our purpose and practice. It is the word of God that contains the stories, principles, and power that is needed to see future generations live life and impact the culture through their knowledge and love for their Creator.  It is only when Scripture is the foundation for life in a Pre-K-12th grade Christian school, that young people have their hearts and heads informed and transformed to accomplish all that God has created them to be.  

Luckily, there are some godly and intelligent people over the years that have created templates and presentations that help make biblical integration into each unit, lesson, and activity more of a reality.  I have benefited greatly from the encouragement and tools provided by others in this area, over the years.  

As great as some tools and the expertise of others can be, in all actuality, it still comes down to the living curriculum in the classroom to make the connections between the subject and the truth of God’s word.  To that end, I would offer up a few realities that must be true of those we place in front of students:

Fear the Lord

I have touched on this before, so I won’t belabor the point, but if the fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom then we must be sure that we fear the Lord.  When we say “fear the Lord”, this has to be more than a head knowledge or church attendance over the years.  Remember that James told believers that “the demons believe and shudder.” The fear of the Lord leads to saving faith, which leads to a total surrender of our lives in submission and commitment to Christ.

Meditate on God’s Word

Those that fear the Lord will be driven to consume His word as they desire to become more like Christ.  The Lord told Joshua that “the book of the law should not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do all that is written in it…making your way prosperous.”  David says in Psalm 1, that when we meditate on God’s word day and night, we will be firmly planted and bear fruit.

Pray Continually

I am always reminded of James 5:16, which says, “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” However, it is in the next verse that we are reminded that God accomplished much through Elijah, who was a man with a “nature like ours”. The key is, God can still do a great work through us when we fear Him, are soaking up His word, and therefore have right thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that line up with the purpose and plan of God. 

Speak the Truth

Sometimes the easiest thing to do can be the hardest thing to do in the man-pleasing world we live in.   In Acts 4, we see that Peter and John spoke the truth with boldness, so much that the people around them “were amazed and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Peter and John then went on to, with the threat of physical pain and torture, proclaim the truth with boldness, saying “we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Can you imagine what God would do in our schools when we fear Him, are drinking from the fountain of His word, praying for opportunities to speak truth and see Him work, and then speaking the truth of God’s word because we were compelled to speak and live the truth.  That, my friends, is when the truth of God’s word will come to life in our classrooms, ball field, and every aspect of our school! 

I am a planner!  I have backup plans for the plans I make and I love seeing them come to fruition. Sad to say, I don’t always pray through and ask God to direct every plan I make.  However, when it comes to leadership in CHristian schools, it is imperative that biblical principles be followed as leaders seek God’s direction for future years. 

Over the years, I have been blessed to help lead schools through the strategic planning process.  While there are plenty of others that help schools in this way and similar processes are used to help schools through a strategic plan, I believe the following principles must be foundational for a Christ-centered strategic plan to be achieved:

Prayer

I know that almost sounds too simple but if we are honest, sometimes it is the last thing we try.  In Joshua 9, we see the men of Israel made some poor decisions because they “did not ask for the counsel of the Lord.”  Leaders in Christian schools do not want to be guilty of leading others astray because they did not seek the counsel of the Lord.  Thankfully, we do see some positive examples of prayer in Scripture:

I Samuel 23: 2-4- “David inquired of the Lord, saying, shall I go and attack the Philistines…then David inquired of the Lord once more.”

Ezra 8:23- “So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.”

James 5:16- “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much”

The first step to the strategic planning process is to confess and seek the Lord as to His will for your school.

Examine Everything

As our hearts are purified before the Lord, we then must examine everything in our schools.  I Thessalonians 5:21-22 says that we must “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” School boards and leaders must take a close examination of themselves and their schools.  They must know their current realities and what needs to be cut, changed, or added in the future in order to honor Christ and achieve His mission.  

Discover God’s Plan

God does not hide his will from His people.  We know that His will is for people to be saved, and for people to be filled with His Spirit, and for people to grow in knowledge of Him, and for people to give thanks and glorify Him.  The question is, how do we continue to see that happen in our Christian schools?

Proverbs 16:9 says that “man makes his plans but God directs his steps.” As we make plans, we must make sure that God is leading and guiding in these plans.  Always remember God’s plan and timing is always perfect.  Even when they don’t make sense. Remember God’s plan to have Abraham offer Isaac, His plan for Joshua to march around a city 7 times, with no weapons, and God’s plan to cut back Gideon’s army to 300 people? Those examples didn’t make sense at the moment but God used the obedience of His people, teamed with His perfect plan, to accomplish His will.  Luckily, I don’t see us having to march around our opponents football stadium to get the victory but I am confident that whatever God calls us to do, He will help us accomplish.

Be Obedient

Once we pray, examine everything, and confirm God’s plan for our lives and school, the next step is easy.  We are faithful to do what He has called us to do.  Remember that when God called Nehemiah to rebuild the walls, the walls were torn down, the people were scared, and the enemy was loud and in their ears.  However, God used Nehemiah to unite the people, they prayed to the Lord, they had a mind to work, and they took action.  

Whether it be this year or in the years to come, if a strategic plan is in your future, be sure to seek the Lord in prayer, examine everything carefully, be reminded of God’s plan, and then carry it out as He leads. Praise the Lord that we can be confident that He will finish what He started.    

Much time, money, and attention are given these days to the growth and sustainability of Christian schools.  There are some schools that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on personnel, training, and advertisement for the purpose of growing the ministry.  They target and foster relationships with key donors who either share the vision of the ministry or at least agree with the good that it produces.  

Whereas, I do think this can work for those ministries that have the means to carry it out, my experience as a head of school of 600 hundred students, with an advertising budget of $1,000, was a tad different.  However, over my 10 years as a head of school, God always provided.  He always provided the people, the facilities, the possessions, and the funds that were needed to not only make ends meet but also to go above and beyond in many areas.  

As we look at Scripture, we see that God’s will can never be thwarted (Job 42:2). God always provides.  He provided a boat for a coming flood, a birth line for His coming, food from heaven for His people, dry ground in the middle of a river, safety in the midst of a fiery furnace, an open jail door with which to walk through, and so much more. If God has called us to Christian education, we can be confident that as we obey Him, He will provide for our every need, and then some. 

With this being true, I do believe there are some simple things we must do as we ask for God to provide:

First, proclaim the mission.  Let everyone know what God has called your school or ministry to do.  Don’t sugarcoat it.  Don’t soften it to make it more appealing to those that don’t desire it.  Let everyone know that God has called your ministry into existence for the sole purpose of training up a generation of young people who know and love the Lord and those that God will use to transform the culture for His glory.  

Second, produce the mission.  A school’s mission statement is as good as the paper it is on if not carried out with intentionality.  Of course, we are dealing with humans so we cannot control the hearts of every parent, teacher, and student.  However, we can make sure that we hire God-fearing people who are passionate about the mission and are intentional in making sure that every program is laser focused on the mission. 

Third, partner with others who are like-minded.  Relationships are important and we must foster healthy relationships with parents in our schools, pastors in area churches, and those in our community.   Remember that Joseph and Daniel both found favor in the eyes of those that were not necessarily committed to Christ. When I was a head of school, my message to the parents was that everyone was a part of the development office.  If we as a school were unified in the mission and carrying it out, there were hundreds of parents and grandparents that were spreading the word about the school.  In some sense, we had hundreds of volunteers raising support for the mission God had called us to.  

Finally, praise the Lord!  In a social media driven world, we must be sure that as we share our successes, we give God all the glory.  As we faithfully obey and commit our lives to Him and praise Him for the work He does, God will continue to bless His ministries as He sees fit.  

A.W. Tozer once said:

“A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situations…the true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing, and altogether as ready to follow as to lead…”

I must say that sentiment has rung true in my life over the last 30 years.  Looking back, I never thought I would be in Christian education for this amount of time, let alone in different positions of leadership.  Even though I have failed many times over these years, I do believe there are some basic principles that have guided me and are helpful for those desiring to lead or thrust into leadership. 

First, fear the Lord! Scripture is replete with instructions to fear the Lord and shows the benefits and fruit of such fear. The Israelites were told to fear the Lord and not forget all that He had done.  They were told to fear him, walk in Him, and serve Him.  We know from David that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Job echoes that in Job 28:28, saying that “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” What leader doesn’t want and need wisdom?  

2 Corinthians 5:11 says that it is because of this fear of the Lord that we persuade men.  John MacArthur says that the fear of the Lord is “a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are all exchanged for God’s.  As leaders in Christian schools, when God is feared, biblical wisdom reigns supreme and desires are constantly focused on Christ-centered outcomes and not man-centered outcomes.  

Second, leaders must be visible.  Unfortunately, when leaders are absent too much, the people start to go their own way.  We live in a world of busy calendars and meetings upon meetings.  A leader must guard their calendar and be very present.  They must have their finger on the pulse so that nothing catches them by surprise.  

Nehemiah is a great example of this as he was ever present with the people of Israel.  Nehemiah 4:14 days that when he saw the people discouraged due to those mocking their work, he encouraged them by saying, “do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome.”  A visible and present leader will know the culture and as they fear the Lord, will be able to lead others appropriately.  

Third, be accessible.  Whereas we must guard our time from being distracted from what is most important, we must also be sure to be readily available when needed for teachers and staff members.  My assistants don’t always like my open door policy, but I want teachers to know that they have access to me, without having to schedule an appointment 3-4 days out.  Accessibility allows leaders to have ongoing influence.  J. Oswald Sanders says, “one can lead others only to the extent that he can influence them.” 

Finally, be a servant-leader. Again, Nehemiah is a great example of this as he “also applied himself to the work on the wall.”  J. Oswald Sanders said that “true greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one’s service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them”.  

The people we have been called to lead will joyfully serve and be committed to what God has called them to when they see leaders who fear the Lord, leaders who have an understanding of the times and culture, leaders who are readily available to listen and help, and leaders who serve the Lord alongside them for God’s glory and the sanctification of future generations.  

Kingdom Education schools have a unique and vital role in today’s world. They are not merely institutions for academic instruction; they are communities that equip students to engage culture, serve others, and live faithfully. As society continues to change rapidly, these schools must embrace vision, innovation, and partnership to remain effective in forming the next generation.

Jeremiah 29:7 reminds us, “But seek the welfare of the city … and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Kingdom Education schools are called not only to educate within their walls but to influence their broader communities positively. Matthew 5:13–16 reinforces this mission: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” Students who are trained tothink biblically, act with integrity, and serve with purpose can impact neighborhoods, cities, and beyond.

Students educated in environments where home, church, and school are aligned maintain stronger moral values, deeper spiritual commitment, and higher engagement in biblically based activities into adulthood. These outcomes illustrate the power of intentional, faith-driven learning to shape lives for God’s purposes.

Innovation is equally important. Schools must balance faithfulness to biblical principles with the tools and strategies needed to educate effectively in the 21st century. Organizational research on institutional change demonstrates that systemic innovation requires alignment across all levels: leadership, faculty, curriculum, and community partnerships.

For example, curriculum innovation can include project-based learning that addresses real-world issues through a biblical lens or the integration of technology that enhances understanding while encouraging discernment. Research on educational technology indicates that culturally responsive and value-driven implementation maximizes learning outcomes. Schools that fail to contextualize technology risk producing students who are academically proficient but unprepared to navigate moral and ethical challenges.

Partnership with parents and the church community remains a critical factor for influence. Engaged parents reinforce lessons, provide spiritual mentoring, and model faith at home. Kingdom Education schools that cultivate strong partnerships with parents and local churches multiply their impact.

Kingdom Education schools also have the opportunity to shape societal culture. They can serve as centers of service, civic engagement, and leadership development. Students trained to think biblically and act with moral courage can challenge injustices, model Christlike behavior, and bring hope to their communities. This aligns with

Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Schools with a clear, forward-looking vision equip students to lead and innovate while staying grounded in biblical truth. The future of Kingdom Education schools is promising when they embrace both tradition and forward-thinking strategies. Leaders who are willing to innovate, collaborate, and dream prophetically can position their schools to be transformative forces in the lives of students and the broader community. By integrating academic excellence, spiritual formation, and cultural engagement, these schools prepare students not only to succeed but to influence the world for Christ.

In conclusion, Kingdom Education schools hold tremendous potential to shape a generation of morally grounded, intellectually equipped, and spiritually mature leaders. By seeking God’s vision, embracing innovation, partnering with families, and committing to community influence, these schools can prepare students to be lights in a darkened world. Their mission is not just academic; it is transformational, equipping students to engage society with wisdom, courage, the love of Christ, and to bring God glory.

Education is more than memorizing facts and passing tests; it shapes the way students interpret reality.  Every subject, from history to mathematics, carries assumptions about truth, morality, and purpose. Without a clear framework, children may absorb cultural ideas that conflict with Scripture. That’s why integrating a biblical worldview into the classroom is essential.

Colossians 1:15–17 reminds us of Christ’s supremacy:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things hold together in him.”

True education recognizes that Christ is central to understanding reality.

Every discipline should point back to Him, helping students connect knowledge with God’s truth. Proverbs 4:7 underscores this: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” Wisdom, not mere information, is the goal.

A recent study highlighted that students in biblically based schools were more likely to develop strong moral values and biblical understanding when parents, church, and school worked together. Integration across subjects, rather than isolating faith to one class, reinforced their worldview in daily learning. Similarly, the Cultural Research Center’s American Worldview Inventory found that only a small percentage of U.S. parents possess a fully biblical worldview, which illustrates the importance of schools in complementing parental efforts. Implementing a biblical worldview across the curriculum involves intentionality.

It begins with teacher preparation. Educators themselves must understand the biblical framework, recognizing that every subject can reinforce or challenge students’ beliefs. For example, science lessons can explore God as Creator, highlighting the order and design in creation rather than presenting purely materialistic perspectives. History can examine God’s providence in human events, showing that His hand guides nations and individuals alike. Even literature and arts can reveal truth, beauty, and moral lessons consistent with Scripture.

Curriculum design is another critical factor. Rather than teaching faith as an optional add-on, schools can weave biblical principles throughout lessons. Math problems, for instance, can illustrate stewardship or justice in real-world contexts. Discussions in literature can explore morality and choices, prompting students to evaluate narratives through a biblical lens. This integration helps students see that their faith is not compartmentalized; it is part of all of life.

Parents also play a pivotal role. Parents reinforcing what is taught, providing spiritual guidance, and modeling biblical living enhance the biblical foundation in children. When parents actively engage in conversations about worldview, students internalize these lessons more deeply. Reflection questions, family discussions, and prayer about real-world issues can extend classroom learning into the home environment.

Challenges inevitably arise. Some argue that subjects like math or science are neutral and that faith has no place there. Yet even neutral topics carry assumptions about reality, purpose, and truth. Ignoring worldview considerations leaves students vulnerable to adopting a secular or relativistic worldview. Proverbs 1:7 teaches, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” True knowledge begins with reverence for God and cannot be separated from it.

Forming a biblical worldview in the classroom is not about indoctrination; it’s about guiding students to think deeply, discern truth, and live faithfully. Second Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that Scripture equips “for every good work,” and when integrated into learning, it equips students to face life with wisdom and discernment.

Education is one of the most powerful tools for shaping character and guiding students toward Christ-centered understanding. By intentionally integrating biblical truth across subjects, training teachers, and partnering with parents, schools can prepare students to engage the world with conviction and discernment. Students who learn in this environment develop not only academic competence but spiritual resilience, moral clarity, and the ability to shine as lights in a darkened culture.

In an era where ideas compete for influence over young minds, classrooms can either be a battlefield of conflicting ideologies or a place where God’s truth guides every lesson. By teaching from a biblical perspective, schools equip students to discern, think critically, and apply faith in every sphere of life, ensuring they are prepared to live faithfully in a complex world.

In today’s rapidly changing world, children face unprecedented cultural pressures that influence their faith, purpose, and identity. From social media trends to classroom discussions, the ideas they encounter shape more than just opinions—they shape worldview. This makes the role of parents, churches, and schools more crucial than ever in guiding the next generation.

The Bible gives clear guidance: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Our children’s minds must be trained not only in academics but in discernment, truth, and biblical wisdom. Proverbs 22:6 reinforces this: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” These verses remind us that children are constantly learning from every environment they step into.

Children spend nearly 16,000 hours in school from kindergarten to graduation, making school a dominant force in shaping their thinking. This isn’t inherently negative, but it underscores the urgency for intentional teaching that aligns with biblical truth. A recent study found that students in faith-based schools were more likely to maintain biblical foundations into adulthood, especially when family and school values were in harmony. Yet the cultural landscape presents real challenges. Barna Group reports that many Christian parents feel unprepared to counter secular or relativistic ideas their children encounter in school. This creates a gap between what children are taught at home or church and what they absorb daily elsewhere. Without guidance, young minds risk adopting beliefs that conflict with God’s Word.

Understanding this cultural battle requires recognizing that education is not neutral. Every subject, from history to science, carries assumptions and perspectives that influence how students interpret the world. When these perspectives conflict with a biblical worldview, children can experience confusion, doubt, or compromise.

So how can we address this?

First, parents and educators must take a proactive approach. Schools and homes should form a partnership that reinforces biblical principles. Parents should engage in daily conversations, encourage critical thinking rooted in Scripture, and model faith in practical ways. Educators should integrate biblical truths into lessons across subjects, showing students how faith intersects with every aspect of learning.

Second, we must focus on the mind’s renewal. Romans 12:2 calls us to transformation, not conformity. This is more than teaching facts; it’s guiding students to understand God’s truth, discern falsehood, and think critically about cultural narratives. It requires patience, intentionality, and prayerful effort.

Finally, reflection and accountability are key. Parents and educators should ask themselves: How are cultural ideas shaping our children and students? Are we equipping them to navigate competing philosophies? What steps can we take to reinforce biblical truth consistently? Encouraging children to wrestle with ideas in a safe, biblically based context strengthens both their intellect and their faith.

Scripture reminds us that God equips those who seek Him and places wisdom in the hearts of those who value it. By aligning home, church, and school, we can create a supportive environment that shapes children not just academically but spiritually, preparing them to live confidently in God’s truth.

In this cultural battle, intentional discipleship matters. Education is a powerful tool. By guiding the next generation with discernment, biblical wisdom, and steadfast love, we equip them to stand firm, make godly choices, and impact the world for Christ.

I am writing this blog on January 3rd, the start of a new year.  And with every new year comes the desire to eat better, exercise, and do all the things that do not come easy or naturally, but actually take a great deal of time, energy, and thought.  The same is true about making sure Christian schools across the nation and globe are truly excellent.  So much more goes into being a school of excellence than collecting money for something new, or recruiting players for a winning team, or great test scores, chapels, and service projects.  How can we be assured that excellence is accomplished in our Christian schools?

I believe a key ingredient to this question can be found in I Thessalonians 4:10, where Paul encouraged the people to “excel still more”.  What was Paul wanting them to excel still more at? He wanted them to love others.  That sounds too simple and at times, soft on the surface.  However, when we get the love of God down right, it will influence every other aspect of our lives and schools.  

• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).  When Christ is the preeminent one in our hearts and minds, we will not allow anything else to get in the way of assuring He gets the glory in all that we do in our schools.  He must increase and we must decrease. The love of God and for God will drive us to learn and accomplish things solely for His glory.
• “If God loved us, we also ought to love one another” (I John 4:11). “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). God’s love for us and our love for Him will transform our wants and desires and lead us to love others.  This will allow us to accomplish His will in everything we do in our Christian schools.
• “In the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…to all who have loved (or longed) for His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).  Maintaining the proper perspective on eternity will lead us to live with pure excellence as we long to spend forever with Him.  

My prayer is that as we start a new year, that we will continue to “excel still more” in our efforts to love God, love others, and live in a way that points others to Christ.  When that happens, we can say with confidence, and a pure heart, that we are doing everything with excellence.  

I heard it said once that “Christian schools should win and bring home championships since opponents would probably not want the Jesus of a team they just beat by 40 points.”  Growing up playing sports and still enjoying watching sports now, I am not sure I can get behind that statement.  I am all for winning and I think it is natural to go into each practice and game, giving our best and striving to bring home the “W”.  However, would you agree that a school can have an excellent program without winning a championship and could fall short of excellence even when winning the championship?

Christ-centered excellence in athletics requires so much more than just winning.  After all, when you look at some examples in Scripture, there were plenty of people who were excellent that ended up losing in the eyes of the world:

• The world thought that Jesus lost.  He had no place to lay His head, His friends abandoned Him at times, and He ended up dying on a cross.  We know that He was and is the perfect example of excellence, though not always in the eyes of the world.
• Many others, like Joseph, Daniel, and Paul had moments in their lives when they appeared to lose in the eyes of the world.  Imprisoned and thrown in fire and pits did not come across as excellent.  However, when we look at the entirety of Scripture, their focus and obedience to Christ was what made them excellent.

So, as we look at what makes a schools athletic program excellent, we must make sure that it is obedient to the commands in Scripture on their way to victory:

• Sports are games that should not steal time away from God’s ordained institutions, the home and church.
• Sports should be careful not to appeal to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.  Many times the desires and emotions spent on being #1, can lead us to be prideful. 
• As we offer athletic programs in Christian schools, we must be sure that we don’t forego the following character qualities in our efforts to win:
  • Humility- scoring points and beating teams can easily lead to a spirit of pride
  • Love- running up scores and over the top celebrations can show a lack of love for opponents
  • Responsibility- too much attention and time given to a sport can lead to neglecting other responsibilities
  • Self-Control- it is easy to lose our cool when the call or game does not go our way
  • Kindness- thinking of others and wanting the best for them can be hard to do in the heat of an athletic battle
  • Forgiveness- it is easy to allow a loss or hard foul to keep us from treating others as we should
  • Courage- we must be sure the drive to win does not overshadow the desire to witness
  • Submission- it is easy for coaches, players, and fans to disrespect the authority on the court/field (even when they get the call wrong)

These are just a few of the attributes and truths that must be maintained as we do Christ-honoring athletics in our Christian schools.  As we focus on these, as well as preparing for the next competition, we can achieve excellence in athletics. 

I like to think that I did fairly well, academically, in high school, college, and beyond.  However, there are still days that I echo what Forrest Gump said, “I may not be a smart man.” In today’s world of non-stop access to information, along with advancements in technology and continued scientific discoveries, I realize that I don’t know that much afterall.  And to some degree, I am ok with that.  After all, in the grand scheme of eternity, it is not necessarily how much you know but what you know to be true that matters.  I believe that is the issue when it comes to the discussion about excellence in academics.  

Although, Scripture does not have much to say about schooling, it does speak to the issues of knowing, wisdom, and learning:

• Some people were “always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.”
• Some were babes in Christ “for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God…”
• “Aquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!…with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
• Daniel “showed intelligence in every branch or wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge” but he also understood that God gave him and his friends “knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom.”
• “Knowledge puffs up”
• This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God…”
• The Holy Spirit will “teach you in all things.”
• God’s word can make us “wiser than our enemies”, give us “more insight than all my teachers”, and allow us to understand “more than the aged”.
• In Acts 17, Paul appeared to have knowledge of the culture he engaged in.  
• Paul told the church to be “wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.
• “Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced or, knowing from whom you have learned them…knowing the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 
• God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, “through the true knowledge of Him”. 

That is quite the array of information when it comes to the topic of knowing and learning.  So, what can we summarize from this when it comes to the excellence in academics that we desire for students in Christian schools?

First, knowledge apart from God’s word and purpose is vanity. We must make sure we are not just building college prep schools, but are building life and eternity prep schools that are giving each student the biblical knowledge and tools, teamed with the appropriate skills and talents, to engage the culture in a way that advances His kingdom and brings Him glory.

Second, though knowing facts and truths about how the world works and how we can better contribute to the good of society is something that God desired since creating us to have dominion on the earth, we must remember that God, through His Word and Spirit, gives us all that we need to impact the world for Him. Does what and how we teach, lead students to a deeper knowledge of God and His word?

Third, it is important that the teachers, coaches, and leaders in our Christian schools fear the Lord and know Him first and foremost, as they pass their values, beliefs, and knowledge on to their students.

Finally, there are aspects of knowing that we should continue to be ignorant of, like perversion and certain aspects of evil. It is the consumption of such knowledge that is leading people away from Christ.  

When the academic excellence we seek has its foundation in God’s word, in order to live God’s way, so that we might impact God’s world, I say let’s give our all in that effort, to the glory of God!