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This past week has shown us the total depravity of the human heart. The headlines have been saturated with news of a leak from the United States Supreme Court concerning its upcoming decision related to a case involving abortion. With the leak, a firestorm has erupted that is frightening to say the least.

I watched a short video in horror that was shown on social media. In this video, a woman does not hide the evil that surrounds the killing of a baby in a mother’s womb. The woman tells others who were listening to her what to do if they find themselves pregnant.

Ladies, if you get pregnant, run on down to the abortion clinic, and have that little *!#!*@*! sucked right out.

What makes this video even more demonic is how everyone in the crowd cheered when this was said. I also watched a two-minute testimony by a doctor before a Congressional hearing. He graphically described what takes place in a second trimester D&E abortion. The sheer wickedness of these two short videos left me somewhat speechless.

However, we shouldn’t be surprised by any of these things that are happening right before our very eyes each and every day. This is because God’s Word tells us what each of our hearts are capable of doing.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man. Luke 7:21-23

Much of the evil we see today is the result of what happens when the overwhelming majority of children receive a materialistic, evolutionary, atheistic education. This is because a secular education that denies the existence of God leads its students to become autonomous individuals who will do whatever their hearts desire.

Again, God’s Word describes what must happen when the fear of God is completely removed from any and all educational systems. Paul explained this when he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit these words.

…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1:20-23

All people know that God exists and they are without excuse (see Romans 1:18-20). However, when they are taught that He doesn’t exist and that man is just another form of an animal with no inherent value or worth, they end up worshiping some part of creation and not the Creator.

Paul goes on to explain what happens when God is pushed further and further out of the public square. God will eventually allow them to reap the consequences of living according to their own, deceitful hearts.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

When we look around and see what is happening, it is proof that the Bible is God’s Word and is absolutely true. God makes it clear that when knowledge of Him is removed from education, people will live according to their debased minds. Not only will their lives exhibit evil but others will applaud them when they display any and all forms of wickedness.

In another one of his letters, Paul warned young Timothy what would happen as people move further and further away from God and His Word.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

One must be living in isolation not to see that everything Paul said would take place in the last days is happening in our country right now. I believe we haven’t seen anything yet. We need to understand that anyone who takes a stand on biblical truth will face persecution. The human heart, when left to itself, will lead to unbelievable evil.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

What should our response be to all that we are facing at this time in history? Again, we must go to the Scriptures to find our hope and the answer to this question.

1.  We need to go back to the truths of Scripture that we have learned in the past.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

2.  We must study the Scriptures and realize that the Bible, alone, has the answers to all of life and it will equip us to know what is right and what should be done.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3.  We must be more determined and intentional in teaching truth to our children.

I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

Now for a big announcement!

I am excited to announce a new endeavor that Kingdom Education™ Ministries will be embarking on in the near future. I have been writing these weekly blogs for more than 6 years. It has been a rewarding experience. However, it has become more and more difficult to fully address some of the issues that are confronting the home, church and school through one blog post.

Because of a new partnership with Northwest Christian School and its biblical worldview initiative, Frameworks, we will soon be releasing a new podcast called Kingdom Currents. These podcasts will allow me to dive deeper into the dangerous trends that are sweeping through today’s educational systems. We have recorded the first episode and will be releasing it soon. So stay tuned!

I am asking God to use Kingdom Currents and the Kingdom Education™ Summits to expand His kingdom rule in thousands of homes, churches and schools. I pray you will be a part of these new initiatives.

Drs. James Dobson and Gary Bauer wrote a book, Children at Risk,  in the early 1990s. They made both an observation and a prediction with this statement.

A new civil war is raging in the country. This war is a war of values and who ever wins gets our children.

I never thought I would witness what has taken place in our country over the past 30+ years since I read these prophetic words. The battle for the hearts and minds of children has intensified beyond my imagination. Dobson and Bauer were absolutely right when they said that children are the main target in this civil war and that the main front of the war will be fought on educational turf.

It is time for all Christians to WAKE UP! The lines between good and evil (God and Satan) have been clearly marked and there is no neutral ground between the two. Christian parents, pastors and educators must boldly stand for and with God and His Word or they will have to admit that they are against Him.

For decades the forces of evil have been satisfied to work quietly behind the scenes. This is no longer the case. Those who want to destroy the family and capture our children have openly and unashamedly declared war against truth. This means that Christians must sound a clear warning and call to battle.

We are no longer living in post-Christian culture. It is a militant, anti-Christian culture. Anyone who stands for God and absolute truth is considered a bigot and an enemy of society. We have witnessed attempts to redefine marriage and now it wants to change what it means to be human — especially as it relates to one’s gender. I am reminded of a post that I recently saw on social media.

The Creator alone has the right to define His creation!

Consider some of the attacks against truth that has taken place over the past few weeks. During the recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings, the candidate, Ketjani Brown Jackson, was asked, “Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?” Jackson’s answer was, “No, I can’t.” When asked again, she answered, “I can’t, in this context. I am not a biologist.”

Following this exchange US Today published the following statement.

Scientists, gender law scholars and philosophers of biology said Jackson’s response was commendable though perhaps misleading. It’s useful, they say, that Jackson suggested science could help answer Blackburn’s question, but they note that a competent biologist would not be able to offer a definitive answer either. Scientist agree that there is no sufficient way to clearly define what makes someone a woman, and with billions of women on the planet, there is much variation. (emphasis mine)

The question that came to my mind is, “How does one believe that there are billions of women on the planet if no one knows what a woman is?” The judge’s answer is consistent with how society determines whether someone is a man or a woman. Two other glaring examples of this denial of truth can be seen in the naming of the “female of the year” and “female athlete of the year.” In both cases the individuals named were biological males.

How did we get to where we are as a society today? We have educated generations of young people to believe such falsehoods.

Secular education has taken generation after generation of young people captive to lies and false philosophies. Again, it had been somewhat subtle until recently.

The top of the sewage tank was removed recently when the Governor DeSantis of Florida signed a bill that made it illegal to teach sexual ideologies to young children, specifically children in kindergarten through third grade.

The outrage has been swift. There have been numerous videos on apps such as TikTok where public school teachers have recorded messages showing their excitement when young children in their classes show support for their gay and trans lifestyles. Another video showed an elementary teacher bemoaning the fact that he may not be able to share with his students what he and his partner did over a weekend (as if these students were his children).

In another video, an elementary teacher stated, “I would rather lose my job than ‘out’ one of my students to their families. Being a ‘safe’ person and ‘safe’ place for kids who don’t have that at home is one of the best parts of being a teacher.

Public and private schools alike have been accused of “grooming” children to accept deviant lifestyles. At the same time, there have been Christians who have denied that this is taking place. In fact, one writer called claims of grooming “absurd.”

The truth is that children are being taught vile sexual ideas that go against biblical truth. It is in the curriculum, textbooks and other instructional resources that are becoming more and more common in schools. For example:

• Teachers are reading the book, Red, to children as young as five. This book tells children that it is possible to be born in “the wrong body.”
• Students are getting referrals from school counselors (without parent notification) to receive puberty blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones.
• The American School Counselor Association has published a guide which tells counselors to “hide” information from parents.
• A public school district’s training included, Remember, parents are not entitled to know their kids’ identities. That knowledge must be earned. This training also included the following, Some transgender, non-binary, and/or gender-nonconforming students are not ‘open’ at home for reasons that may include safety concerns or lack of acceptance. School personnel should speak with the student first before discussing a student’s gender nonconformity or transgender status with the student’s parent/guardian.
• When a school nurse posted on social media how she witnessed teachers and administrators were keeping parents in the dark when it comes to students identifying themselves as non-binary, she was placed on administrative leave. One 11 year-old student was on puberty blockers and parents were not informed that this was going on. The nurse stated that children were introduced to this gender confusion starting in kindergarten.
• Conferences for private and “Christian” school educators are promoting books such as, These Are Our Bodies and The Teaching Transgender Toolkit.
• A webinar, Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students, was held on how to create an inclusive classroom culture to build an intersectional curriculum that incorporates queer history and perspectives.
• One social media site states, As Florida and other states continue to pass harmful laws aimed to curb classroom discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation, your students may need emergency support. Sharing resources like the Crisis Text Line can make a difference (emphasis mine).
• Schools are establishing “Transition Closets” that allows students to socially transition with opposite-gendered outfits that makes them feel more at home and like themselves without parents knowing.

The battle for the hearts and minds of children is not only raging in schools, it is also being fought in the media and entertainment world. When Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill was passed, the Walt Disney Company, that has been characterized as a purveyor of family entertainment, was quick to condemn it as a blow to gender rights.

Several videos have been posted on social media that show how Disney is working diligently to take young children captive to lies when it comes to the LGBTQA+ agenda.

• Vivian Vance stated, last summer we removed all of the gender greetings to our live speils. We no longer say ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. We have trained our cast members it is hello everyone or hello friends. [recorded messages] no longer say ladies and gentlemen but dreamers of all ages.
• CEO, Mark Chapek, announced plans to create a task force in charge of making sure that more LGBT-awareness content is available to children.
• Allen March stated that the company has been ‘really open to exploring queer stories.’ He said he kept a tally of LGBTQ+ characters in a film, in a bid to ensure there was greater diversity on screen. The team is committed to promoting “trans, bisexual and gender nonconforming” characters and says kids are “getting all this information from the media” and “there’s a lot of power to that.”

Satan’s attack on children can be seen in, what used to be safe, summer activities. Here are just two examples of how this war has intensified.

• Seattle Museum plans ‘Drag-tastic Summer Camp’ to teach kids the ‘Art Of The Drag’
• In Indianapolis, they are hosting a “Sex Ed Summer Camp” for kids aged 8-10 years old.

The State is also fully engaged in this war against our children. Some documents that were released by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs promoted gender reassignment surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone therapy for transgendered minors. In response to some states passing laws restricting these types of procedures for minors, the White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, stated,

To be clear, every major medical association agrees that gender-affirming health care for transgender kids is the best practice and potentially lifesaving. All of this begs the question: What are these policies actually trying to solve? LGBTQI+ people can’t be erased or forced back into the closets and kids across our nation should be allowed to be who they are without the threat that their parents or their doctor could be imprisoned simply for helping them and loving them.

The straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back for me was when the President of the United States sent out a video where he stated the following.

To everyone celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, I want you to know that your president sees you — Jill, Kamala, Doug, our entire administration sees you — for who you are: made in the image of God and deserving dignity, respect and support. We know it’s hard when there are those out there who don’t see you, don’t respect you. For example, the onslaught of anti-transgender state laws attacking you and your families is simply wrong. This administration is standing up against all these hateful bills, and we are committed to advancing transgender equality in the classroom, on the playing field, at work, in our military, and our housing and health care systems — everywhere, simply everywhere.

I thought that it can’t get worse until I saw how these dangerous ideologies have taken hold inside the church. One example that was most disturbing to me was as follows.

• A church in Iowa offered a “prayer” that caused me to tremble in fear:

This past Thursday, March 31st, was the International Transgender Day Of Visibility. In the PC USA, we welcome all of our transgender and queer siblings into this family and relationship with the creator god. So today, I wish to pray a prayer that was written for this incredible day. Will you pray with me?

Oh, god of pronouns, we give praise to the great one the one who was identifiable as god. “I am what I am,” you say. The great they, the incarnate he and she, the god of trans being. Impregnating Mary, fathering god. Breastfeeding god of many breasts, you shatter all stereotypes, making every single person male and female. Male and female, intersex, non-binary in your image. Exactly in your image.

Spectrum rainbow god, who put your promise for non-violence in the symbol for queer love before humanity knew, because you knew. Who had Joseph who could not sleep with a woman in a beautiful lady’s cloak, perhaps of rainbow colors, before we knew, you knew.

God of pronouns who said “You can call me he or she or they, whatever makes you feel closest to me.” Invisible and visible god, on this day where visibility and celebration, belatedness, affirmation, and acceptance is the bare minimum, remind us that you are the god of pronouns, so you affirm and you celebrate them. … Remind us that you affirm us in our full identity: name, pronoun, found family, all of it.

For this we give you thanks and praise to the great I am, the great they/them. Thank you, god, and so now, in the words that our mother, our father, and our sibling god taught us to pray, and pray with us now, [recites the Lord’s Prayer].

I have wrestled with this blog for more than two weeks. It is the longest post that I have ever done. Why? I was convicted about how Christian parents, pastors, church leaders and educators, have not been willing to address the issue of education biblically. As I wrote in an earlier post, Christians have been willing to set aside their religious beliefs when it comes to the schools in which they enroll their children. Christian schools have done the same thing when it comes to textbook selection and, sometimes, when hiring teachers, coaches and sponsors.

We find ourselves in a similar condition that Israel was in during the time that it was taken into captivity. Why? In 2 Kings 17, God explains why He did this. It was because they had sinned against God, walked in the customs of the nations, did things secretly which were not right, did not listen to the many warnings that God gave to them, rejected God’s statutes, and forsook His commandments.

We have been taken captive by the false worldviews that have been taught to us over the past 100+ years. We, too, are in this condition because we haven’t listened to nor paid attention to God’s warnings and have rejected His Word — especially when it comes to how we have educated several generations of young people. As I stated at the beginning of this article — there is no middle or neutral ground! We must chose what side we are going to be on and we must understand that no decision is a decision to be on the world’s side.

What is the solution to the crisis we find ourselves in today? God only offers one solution to His children when they find themselves in captivity. His children must repent of their sin, cry out to God for mercy and seek a fresh move of God in their lives, homes, churches and schools.

Are we willing to do this? or Will we settle for life in Babylon?

I am asking pastors and school leaders to join me at one of this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summits where we will seek God’s will for how He wants us to educate our children and youth. These Summits are the most important events that I have ever been part of. I hope to see you in June.

As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations. Unfortunately, we have redefined discipleship to only mean evangelism. Although it is extremely important to witness to loss people and pray that God will redeem them from their sin, we must never top with seeing a person saved. We must continue teaching them to fully obey all that God has commanded them to do in His Word.

I was reading through some old notes that I had made about the importance of discipleship and was reminded about what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Of course, the Bible tells us some specific things that a disciple must do.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

In these few verses we see several characteristics that mark a true disciple of Jesus.

1. A disciple must die to self.
2. A disciple must take up his cross.
3. A disciple must follow Christ completely.
4. A disciple must be willing to lose his life for Jesus’ sake.
5. A disciple must take up daily residence in God’s Word.
6. A disciple must know truth and walk in freedom.

Our children and youth are not merely looking for people who call themselves Christians. They are looking for the real deal. They want to see authentic Christians who are true disciples of Christ.

In my notes on discipleship, I came across the following concepts. First, true discipleship is nothing less than bondage to Jesus Christ alone. Paul often referred to himself as a bond slave of Christ. Living our lives in bondage to Christ can only take place through total obedience to God’s Word.

The response of a disciple to God’s call to “follow Him” must be an act of obedience. It cannot be merely a verbal confession of faith in Jesus. We have lost this sense of God’s call on our lives that requires total surrender. Bonhoeffer put it this way.

The upshot of it all is that my only duty as a Christian is to leave the world for an hour or so on a Sunday morning and go to church to be assured that my sins are all forgiven. I need no longer try to follow Christ, for cheap grace, the bitterest foe of discipleship, has freed me from that.

This loss of the meaning of true discipleship has led us to a perverted view of holiness and sin. We read what Peter wrote about our need to be holy but don’t think about what it actually means in our everyday lives.

…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)

To be holy is to be morally blameless. It is to be separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God. To be holy is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world.

Instead of striving to be holy as God is holy, we embrace cultural holiness. Cultural holiness is merely adapting to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around us. God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. The holiness of God is the absolute absence of any evil in Himself.  Of course, we can never be completely holy like God is because we are all human beings, incapable of perfection.

I find myself more concerned about my own “victory” over sin than the fact that my sins grieve the heart of God. God wants me to walk in obedience — not necessarily in victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward myself. Victory must always be seen as a byproduct of obedience.

As I continued reading through these old notes, I realized afresh that I must look at all sin as an offense against a holy God, instead of it only being a personal defeat. Every time I sin, I am doing something that God hates. God hates my lustful thoughts, my pride, my jealousy, my outbursts of anger, and my rationalization that the end justifies the means.

Holiness is required for fellowship with God which, in turn, marks me as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. As I reflected on these notes, I found myself convicted in several areas of my life where I had embraced cultural holiness and, therefore, had fallen short of the requirements God has set forth in His Word for me to be His disciple.

It is my desire to, once again, be a bond slave to Christ and see the fruit of being His disciple. It will become a reality only when I fully surrender to His Spirit and obey His Word.

Many years ago, I was given a book that was written by two Australian Christian educators. In their book, Reclaiming the Future, Lambert and Mitchell made a very important statement. They wrote that every kind of teaching and learning is based upon a shared vision of life. The phrase “a shared vision of life” is another way of saying a worldview.

In this simple statement, the authors were presenting a very important truth. All education takes place within the context of a worldview. This means that there is no such thing as a neutral education. In fact, all education is religious in nature and is an effort to communicate someone’s religious beliefs and values to the learner.

Neil Postman, in his book The End of Education, and Kyle Idleman, in his book gods at War, equate a worldview to a “god.” Postman explained this concept this way.

Behind every educational effort is the pursuit of some ‘god’ or ‘gods’…A ‘god’, in the sense I am using the word, is the name of a great narrative, one that has sufficient credibility, complexity, and symbolic power to enable one to organize one’s life around it.

Of course, a “great narrative” is what every worldview is. Idleman makes this same connection between a “god” and a worldview when he wrote,

It is time to select a god and serve him; it is time to select a worldview and let it remake you.

Here we see that, not only does all education take place in the context of a worldview, but it also results in the learner pursuing some ‘god’ in his or her life. The challenge Christians have is to make sure that the education they give their children and youth is taught within the context of a biblical worldview and, as a result, they pursue the true God.

Lambert and Mitchell went on to explain how all teaching and learning leads to some form of spiritual transformation. We need to give careful attention to a progression that will always take place in a child’s education. As you read their quote, keep in mind that one’s worldview can be equated to the “god” that is being pursued.

All people serve some ‘god’ or ‘gods’ in their lives and, in turn are transformed into the image of their gods.

In other words, the end result of all education is that children and youth will, not only serve some god, but also be transformed into the image of that god. The god that they will become like is determined by the worldview taught throughout their educational experiences. This concept is not something that various educators developed on their own. It is a truth that is taught in Scripture. Consider the following passages.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; ears they have, but they do not hear; noses they have , but they do not smell; hands they have, but they do not handle; they have feet, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them. Psalm 115:4-8 (NKJV)

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them. Psalm 135:15-18 (NKJV)

As I contemplated these passages of Scripture, I was reminded that the “gods” of people will eventually become the gods of a nation. The “gods” of a nation are made from the worldview that is taught through the nation’s educational system.

There is no doubt about it, our nation today is serving many false gods. This is because the vast majority of the nation’s people have been taught to serve these false gods by the worldviews that have been taught in their homes, churches and schools.

When you consider that fact that less than 7% of all adults in the US have a biblical worldview and only 1 in 4 born again Christians have a biblical worldview, we must acknowledge that we have embraced the false “gods” or worldviews that have been the foundation of the education we have given our children and youth through the last several decades.

This isn’t true just for those who have attended secular public or private schools. It is also true for those that have graduated from Christian schools and, even, been home schooled. The reality is that far too many Christian adults have been conformed to the image of a secular ‘god’ and live their lives based on a secular, man-centered worldview.

We are entering the Christmas season. This is a time in the year when we pause to consider that God took on the form of a man and dwelt among us. His reason for doing this was that He could give His life as a ransom for our sin and we could have a personal relationship with the living God.

As we take time to worship the Messiah, may we also evaluate what worldview or “god” is the basis for what we are teaching the next generation at home, in the church and at school. Is a biblical worldview foundational to the textbooks our children are using, the media they are consuming and the lessons we are giving them everyday? If not, it is time to make some changes. We cannot afford for the next generation to be conformed to an image of a false god. If God were to come back today, would He recognize His children because they are like Him or have they been conformed to the image of a false worldview?

I was reluctant to read an article that was recommended on social media recently. It was one of hundreds that I have come across that seem to follow a common line of thought. This line of reasoning goes something like this. If you take a stand on certain “political” issues, you are putting your faith in politics rather than in Christianity.

Of course, the problem with this line of reasoning is that many spiritual matters have been moved into the political arena and, therefore, prove that one’s political views are more important than one’s faith. I am not writing this blog as response to this type of thinking. Instead, I am simply giving you the context of the article that I decided to read.

As I read through the article, I came across something that caught my attention and caused me to slow down and read the words more carefully. The author of the article interviewed several Christian leaders. One of those leaders was James Ernest of Eerdmans Publishing. He was quoted as saying,

What we’re seeing is massive discipleship failure caused by massive catechesis failure. The evangelical Church in the U.S. over the past five decades has failed to form its adherents into disciples. So there is a great hollowness.

It was explained that catechism is the process of instructing and informing people through teaching. Ernest said that the Church has failed to do this type of teaching.

Alan Jacobs, a professor at Baylor University, stated that,

Culture catechizes. Culture teaches us what matters and what views we should take about matters…On the flip side, many churches aren’t interested in catechesis at all. They focus instead on entertainment, because entertainment is what keeps people in their seats and coins in the offering plate.

Jacobs went on to explain,

Pastors…get to spend, on average, less than an hour a week teaching their people. Sermons are short. Only some churchgoers attend adult-education classes, and even fewer attend Bible study and small groups. So, if people are getting one kind of catechesis for half an hour per week and another for dozens of hours per week, which on do you think will win out?

As I continued reading, I realized that behind all the politicization that permeated the main thrust of the article was a clear articulation of the real problem today’s church is facing — we are not making disciples! And I must add, it isn’t because of politics. It is because of the ideas or worldviews that are shaping our minds — especially the minds of our children and youth.

Ernest and Jacobs understand that the condition of most people who call themselves Christians is a lack of biblical thinking. They realize that the church does not have the opportunity to biblically shape the minds of its members because the church has influence over them for such a small amount of time each week.

This reality was noted in some more of what Jacobs said.

People come to believe what they are most thoroughly and intensively catechized to believe, and that catechesis comes not from the churches but from the media they consume, or rather the media that consume them. The churches have barely better than a snowball’s chance in hell of shaping most people’s lives (emphasis mine).

What continues to amaze me is that these people see how the church cannot compete with the culture because of the church’s limited time of influence on lives. However, they only see this when it comes to the lifestyles of the church’s adult membership.

Even if the church had more hours of influence in the lives of its adult members, I wonder if it would make any significant difference in how they look at life. I say this because adults have developed their worldview or belief system at a much younger age. Once this is developed, it is very difficult to change one’s worldview.

The real problem is that most Christians continue to send their children into secular educational institutions, at all grade levels, where they are bombarded daily from a secular, anti-Christian worldview perspective. If the few minutes an adult sits under biblical teaching each week can’t compete with the media’s influence, how much more dangerous is it for children to have their minds molded by today’s secularized schools?

Until the home, church and school are ready and willing to address the issue of education biblically, we will continue to lose future generations to the world. It won’t be because of their political views. It will be because we have failed to make disciples of our children and youth and allowed the culture to disciple them!

Referenced article: The Evangelical Church Is Breaking Apart by Peter Wehner, The Atlantic.

Ever since the Kingdom Education™ Summit, my life has been a whirlwind.  The start of a new school year is always busy but not like it has been this year.  By the time September rolls around, I will have been at six different Christian schools in six different states conducting 10 full days of professional staff development.

I have sensed a deep hunger for understanding and applying Kingdom Education™ like never before.  Administrators and teachers want to fully understand Kingdom Education™.  They want to know what Kingdom Education™ is from a biblical perspective and what needs to happen for a biblical philosophy of education to drive everything that takes place at their schools.

I am so thankful that all three books on Kingdom Education™ are now available.  These three resources lay a biblical foundation for education, challenge the home, church and school to embrace Kingdom Education™, and provide application exercises to help apply Kingdom Education™ to everyday life in our homes, churches and schools. I encourage all parents, church leaders and educators to consider studying these resources.  Click HERE to learn more about these resources.

Through all that has happened in these last two months, God has taught be an extremely important lesson.  I have become more aware of the importance of the home when it comes to the education of children and youth.  G.K. Chesterton once said,

The Family is not only an institution, but a foundation, the foundation of nearly all institutions.

As I have led Christian educators into a deeper understanding of Kingdom Education™, there seems to be both an excitement and worry when it comes to implementing a biblical philosophy of education.  The excitement is because they know that Kingdom Education™ is necessary for them to fulfill God’s purpose for their calling to Christian education.

Of course, God’s purpose for Christian school educators is also His purpose for every parent, pastor and/or church leader.  That purpose is what Jesus said right before He ascended into heaven.  It is called the Great Commission.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

Every Christian’s purpose is the same — we are to make disciples of all nations.  Of course, this must begin in the home where parents see their most important task is the discipleship of their own children.

Even with this excitement of being involved in making disciples of the next generation, the teachers were anxious and wondered if this was actually possible.  As we discussed this challenge, the condition of the home took center stage.  Yes, there are many families where the parents are committed followers of Jesus Christ and believe that the discipleship of their children is of highest priority when it comes to how they educate their children.

However, the vast majority of parents who have enrolled their children in Christian schools, do so for a wide variety of reasons other than giving their children a biblical worldview education.  Their main focus is preparing their children for college which is seen as a must if their children are going to be successful.  Being successful is usually determined by their children’s economic achievements.

If and when leaders of a Christian school step up and make the discipleship of their students their number one goal, there is a fear that parents will think that the school is lowering its standards.  If this happens, parents will no longer keep their children in these schools.

Yet, if we don’t get back to establishing Kingdom Education™ as the driving philosophy behind all we do, the result will be even more tragic.  Students may continue to outperform their counterparts in secular schools but they will not become the disciples of Christ who can actually advance God’s kingdom in today’s world.

Something must take place right away.  We must answer some very challenging but vital questions.

1. How can we get parents to understand their God-given responsibility to provide their children with a biblical education at home, church and school?
2. Who is going to disciple today’s parents?
3. How can the church and Christian school equip parents so that they are able to educate their children biblically?
4. How can school leader and teachers effectively partner with parents so that Kingdom Education™ becomes a reality in the home and school?

Alan Pugh addresses this need to better equip parents in his book Rethinking Discipleship: Why Christian Schooling.  He writes,

When I hear pastors say, “Schooling/discipleship is the responsibility of parents,” my response is, “Of course, parents bear responsibility for discipling their children.” Who is responsible, however, for equipping parents for such a challenging role?  Isn’t it a primary role of the church?

It has taken us many decades to get to where we are today.  It is going to take time to turn this ship of education around.  However, we must start today.  I invite every reader to engage in conversation about how the church and/or the Christian school can engage and equip parents so that they will be committed to Kingdom Education™.  Share your ideas by leaving a comment below.

Where did the summer go?  It is hard to believe that a new school year is getting ready to start.  Looking back over the past few months, I find myself amazed at all God did in my life and ministry.  I am ready to move forward in my efforts to advance His kingdom.

Even though I have not posted any blogs for several weeks, it has been an extremely busy and productive time.  It was good to take a break from posting to dig into the riches of Scripture, spend some quiet time with the Lord and, once again, prove His perfect will for my life.  Here are some of the highlights from this summer.

I conducted the first Kingdom Education™ Summit at Word of God Ministries in Shreveport, LA in July.  God did a work that exceeded all of my expectations.  Over 120 pastors, church leaders and Christian educators from 17 states met for 3 days to address the issue of education biblically.  I am grateful for the wonderful assistance that  Dr. Luke Bowers, Mr. Tim Euler, Dr. Sonny Sherrill and Mr. Ben Shettler provided to help make the Summit such a success.

It was the first time since writing Kingdom Education: God’s Plan for Educating Future Generations that I was able to define and present this philosophy in detail.  It was encouraging to watch as the delegates realized that education did not equate to schooling as they discussed how the home, church and school had to embrace the biblical principles of Kingdom Education™ in order to fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations.

At the Summit, I was also able to introduce two new companion books to my original book, Kingdom Education: God’s Plan for Educating Future Generations.  After months of writing and editing, Understanding Kingdom Education: A Challenge for the Home, Church, and School and Applying Kingdom Education: Following God’s Instructions for Educating Future Generations became a reality.  Delegates at the Summit were given complimentary copies of all three Kingdom Education™ books.  Click Here for more information on these new resources.

Each day of the Summit a different aspect of Kingdom Education™ was presented.  The first day focused on Understanding Kingdom Education™.  On the second day, the delegates broke into work groups focusing on Applying Kingdom Education™.  Advancing Kingdom Education™ was the focus on the final day of the Summit as challenges were given to the home, church and school along with corresponding panel discussions.

God did another amazing thing over the summer.  More than 50 years ago several Christian school leaders saw the need to train a new generation of Christian school educators.  Dr. Roy Lowrie, Jr., Dr. William Male and others started what became known as the International Institute for Christian School Educators (IICSE).  The Institute met on the campus of Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana for many years.

As a young Christian school administrator, I attended IICSE in 1978.  It was during that week that God started developing in my mind a biblical philosophy of education.  It was also at the Institute that year that the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) was formed.

Many years later, Dr. Lowrie moved IICSE to the campus of Columbia Bible College, now Columbia International University.  I had the privilege of being one of the keynote speakers at the Institute the first year it was held at CIU.  Unfortunately, Dr. Lowrie had unexpectedly passed away just prior to the event.

Over the years, IICSE has maintained its original mission to present and instill a biblical philosophy of education in the hearts and minds of Christian school educators from around the world.  The Institute had a profound impact on many of my fellow Christian school educators of my generation.

This summer, Dr. Milton Uecker, contacted me to ask me a very important question.  Dr. Uecker has directed the IICSE ever since Dr. Lowrie’s passing.  He and the team from CIU had been led of God to transfer the Institute to another organization that could carry on its rich legacy.  I was humbled to learn that Kingdom Education™ Ministries was chosen to assume the leadership for the IICSE.

Dr. Uecker was unable to attend the Summit; however, he put together a short video announcing this partnership with the Lowrie Center and Kingdom Education™ Ministries.  Click Here to watch.

As the new school year is getting started, I am excited about several opportunities I have to provide staff development sessions at various Christian schools.  Over the next few weeks, I will be challenging today’s Christian educators to understand and apply Kingdom Education™ in all they do.

It is my prayer that God will continue to lead Kingdom Education™ Ministries as we strive to restore individuals, empower the home, engage the church and transform schools through Kingdom Education™. I ask that you join me in praying for God to unite the home, church and school into a unified whole to make disciples of all nations!

It is hard to believe that another school year is almost over.  In fact, several schools held graduation exercises this past weekend.  As this school year draws to a close, several questions have been on my mind.  These questions are critical to the success of our efforts to provide Kingdom Education™ to our children and youth.

A couple of weeks ago, I was doing an inservice with a Christian school staff.  At one point I asked the teachers a question and was somewhat taken back by the quick answers I received.  Here is what I asked them.

Why does your school teach the subjects they do and in the sequence in which they are taught?

Immediately, a couple of teachers shouted out an answer at the same time.  Their answers were these simple words — state and national standards.  A few seconds later another teacher said we teach what we do so students can get a diploma.  Both of these responses are important to Christian educators.  However, I would also expect to get similar responses if I were addressing teachers that were in secular educational programs.

So, here are some questions that I believe are essential to the core mission of Christian education.  Most of these questions are also applicable to parents and church leaders in their efforts to make disciples of the next generation.

1. How has your students’ knowledge of God increased from what they have studied in your classes this year?
2. How are your students more mature/complete in Christ because they have been under your teaching this year? (See Colossians 1:28)
3. In what ways are the students more prepared for life by having you as a teacher, coach or administrator?
4. In what ways are the students more prepared for eternity by having you as a teacher, coach or administrator?
5. Did you present the gospel to your students during the year?
6. What do your students think you believe about God, creation, mankind, knowledge, moral order, purpose and the future by being in your classes this year?
7. In what ways did your teaching of your subjects differ from what students would have received in a secular school?
8. Can you list three things you wanted every one of your students to know by being under your teaching or coaching?  If you answered yes, what are they?  How successful were you in getting them to know these things?
9. Apart from the level of academics, facilities, and/or programs, what distinguished you and your school as a Christian school this year?

These are some daunting questions.  But they get to the heart of Kingdom Education™.  Unfortunately, there are many parents, pastors and Christian educators who would struggle to answer these questions from a biblical perspective if asked.  This is why I am so excited about this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summit.  It is absolutely essential that parents, pastors, and Christian educators address the issue of education biblically.

At the Summit, we will be taking a deep dive into the Essential Truths of a Biblical Worldview and the Essential Principles of a Biblical Philosophy of Education.  Then, the participants will develop specific strategies that will empower parents, engage the church and transform schools, all through Kingdom Education™.

The Summit is not an event where people will come and practice the three S’s that are common at many conferences—sit, soak, and sour.  It will be a time when we strive to fully understand God’s plan for educating future generations and develop strategies that will put Kingdom Education™ into practice in the home, church and school.

If you haven’t registered yet for the Summit, do so today.  It is filling up quickly and I am excited to see not only Christian school leaders but also pastors and other church leaders coming to the Summit.  We still need YOU to be there and help us get a deeper understanding of Kingdom Education™.  CLICK TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER!

When speaking at a worldview conference a few weeks ago, I shared the results from a 1993 report entitled, The State of Christian Education.  Over 500 Christian schools had participated in an evaluative assessment.  The schools were members of various Christian school organizations and the majority of schools had enrollments exceeding 200 students.  One of the alarming statistics in this report was that,

less than half of the parents who have students enrolled in our schools understand and can articulate the mission of Christian education.

After sharing this information, I asked the delegates if they believed the percentage of parents who understood the biblical mission of Christian education has increased, decreased or remained the same since the time of this report.  The response was unanimous.  The percentage of parents who understand the purpose of Christian education has declined since 1993.

I, then, shared another finding from this report.  The report stated that,

almost exactly the same percentage of Christian school teachers could articulate the philosophy and mission of Christian education.

I didn’t have to ask them if they believed the percentage of teachers that know, understand and are committed to a biblical philosophy of education has increased or decreased since 1993.  The silence that fell on the room had answered this question.

Throughout my many years in Christian education, there has also been a concern about the lack of support for Christian education on the part of pastors and church leaders.  It has always been baffling to me how so many pastors are pro secular education or simply silent on the issue.

One of  the foundation stones of Kingdom Education™ is the importance of the three-legged stool.  For Christian education to really make a difference in the next generation, the home, church and school must be united by a biblical philosophy of education.  Considering what I have just shared, the reality is that all three legs of the stool are either missing or severely weakened.  SOMETHING MUST CHANGE!

I am reminded of an article that Joel Belz wrote in 1993 for World Magazine.  The title of the article was, Too Little Too Late.  Belz predicted that,

Christian schools will be found overall to have done a very good job in terms of general education, but will be disappointed in terms of instilling a profound sense of Christian discipleship…Christian school graduates will increasingly outperform their counterparts from public education. But in terms of radical adoption of a Christian perspective on life, the differences — while definitely present — will be disappointing.

Having given my life to the cause of Kingdom Education™, I have to admit that Belz’s predictions have proven to be true.  I am so thankful for the improvement that has been made in the quality of teachers and instruction that has taken place over the past several decades.  I have had the privilege of speaking at many graduation ceremonies.  I am always amazed by the abilities and accomplishments of the students that I get to address at these events.  Christian schools are producing some excellent scholars that go on to accomplish much in every area of life.

However, when I look at the culture today and some of the findings that Dr. George Barna has found when studying the worldview of today’s Christians, I am deeply concerned.  This concern has only grown stronger when I see how false ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory and Social Justice, have crept into more and more churches.  Of course, there is still the reality that we are allowing over 1 million babies to be murdered while in their mothers’ wombs each and every year.

These concerns have had a firm grip on me for the past few years.  I keep thinking that we must get back to the basics.  Something must change in our homes, churches and, even, our schools.  We don’t have to change all the good things that are taking place.  But we must firm up the foundation or the future will be bleak.

As I shared in a blog several months ago, God led me to refine the mission I believe He has given me for Kingdom Education™ Ministries.  Simply stated,

KEM is committed to restore individuals, empower parents, engage the church, and transform schools through Kingdom Education™.

This driving force is what led me and others to hold the first ever Kingdom Education™ Summit this summer.  This event is an attempt to have the home, church, and school address the issue of education biblically.  It will not focus only on improving Christian schools but will be a deep dive into the biblical principles behind Kingdom Education™ and how these principles must be embraced by the home, church and school.

Joining me will be Dr. Sonny Sherrill, Ben Schettler and others who will lead the delegates in developing strategies for the home, church, and school that will result in a more effective effort to make disciples of the next generation.  Topics will include:

• defining education, the kingdom of God, and Kingdom Education™.
• identifying the essential truths of a biblical worldview
• presenting the essential principles of a biblical philosophy of education.
• four things that every young person must know.
• the roles of the home, church and school when it comes to Kingdom Education™.

After each presentation at the Summit, there will be group sessions where delegates will develop strategies to empower parents, engage churches, and transform schools through Kingdom Education™.  A final strategy report will be developed from the work of the participants.  As the title of this blog states, It Is Time For Action!

I am excited to see not only Christian school leaders registered but also pastors and church staff members.  There have also been some individuals register who are not with either a school or church.  These individuals know that we must be more determined and united in our efforts to make disciples of the next generation.

It is not too late for you to be a part of this historic event.  You will find more information on the Summit by clicking here.  There is a special discount for schools that are KEM Prime Members.

I am thankful that the National Alliance of Christian Schools (formerly SBACS) is providing grant monies to its member schools to help with the expenses for attending the Summit.  To apply for this assistance contact NACS by clicking on this link, NACS Grant.

 My new two-book series, Understanding Kingdom Education™, is scheduled for release at the Summit.  These two new resources are companion books to Kingdom Education™ that will lead one into a deeper understanding of God’s plan for educating future generations.  A copy of each book will be given to all delegates.

If you share my concern for the next generation, I am asking you to do three things.

1. PRAY for the Summit and ask God to guide in the final planning and to do a work in the hearts of all who will be attending.
2. SHARE this blog with other parents, pastors and school leaders and encourage them to attend the Summit.
3. JOIN us at the Summit.  Your voice is needed.

I have never been as burdened for future generations as I am today.  At the same time, I have never been more excited about and committed to the cause of Kingdom Education™.  I hope to see you in July at the Kingdom Education™ Summit!