Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
The Purpose and Power of Biblical Christian Education
Part 1: Introduction
For the next few months, Teaching with Truth will include a teaching series for pastors, Christian educators, and parents about the purpose and power of Christian education. This is the first segment and introduction of the series.
Almost every organization in this country has a mission statement. Christian schools are no exception. School boards and administrators of Christian schools typically give considerable time and prayer developing a phrase or statement that best fits their school’s mission. These mission statements provide focus and can be helpful as administrators, teachers, and families align themselves strategically with a common purpose to identify the overall goal of the school.
For instance, here’s the mission statement of our school: “Weston Christian Academy is a covenant and classical school that partners with the home and church to foster excellence in each student while developing spiritual leaders who are fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” This statement helps people know that our school is a covenant and classical school and that a key focus of our ministry is teaching and training students to be the next generation of Christian leaders. I use this statement often with parents, teachers, and students. However, there is a mission statement that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us that must be the foundation, purpose, and guide for everything we do as Christians, the Church, and those serving in Christian schools.
Christian schools are ministries of the Church. A Christian school may be affiliated with a specific church, but even if it is not, that school is still a ministry of “the Church,” the Church universal. If it is not a ministry of “the Church,” it is not really a Christian school. And since Christian schools are ministries of the Church, a Christian school’s primary mission is the Great Commission, specifically Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus came to His disciples after He was resurrected and said:
“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 behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This powerful command from Christ must determine and give direction for everything we do as Christians, the Church, and therefore, as Christian schools. We are to “make disciples” and then have a plan for “teaching (the disciples) to observe all things” that God has commanded in His Word. Are we doing that as Christian schools? Are we doing that in our churches? Are we, as Christian families, doing that at home? As I see what is transpiring in the school I lead, talk and visit with other school administrators, witness what is happening in churches throughout our country, and help to pastor families in our school and church, I don’t believe the Great Commission is consistently at the forefront of everything we do. For some Christian schools, churches, and families, making disciples and discipleship doesn’t seem to be a high priority.
I have been involved in teaching, coaching, leading, and pastoring students and men of the church for over twenty years and head of a Christian school for nine years. Throughout that time, making disciples and discipleship training has been my passion. Because when I came to Christ in my late twenties, by God’s grace there were Christian men in my life who discipled me, most of the time one on one, and I know how life changing intentional discipleship training can be for the new believer. As I grow older, I want to finish strong discipling the students and adults God brings into my life, knowing there is nothing more purposeful and powerful in a Christian’s life than proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, making disciples, and teaching disciples to obey God’s Word. The Apostle Paul’s words from Acts 20:24 convict and comfort me as I finish the race God has ordained for my life:
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
This introduction is for an upcoming teaching series for Christian school leaders, teachers, pastors, and parents who desire to further God’s Kingdom as we obey the Great Commission and disciple children of Christian families, the Church, and Christian schools. Hopefully and prayerfully, through God’s grace and guidance, we are serving together making disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that God has commanded in His Word.
Next Segment – Part 2: God’s Command to Make Disciples