The Purpose of a Christian School

Just some thoughts I have about the purpose of a Christian school. . .

What is the primary responsibility of a Christian school? Is it to have a championship football team? An award winning yearbook? A high percentage of AP students passing their tests?

I don't think so. When Jesus spoke of not storing up earthly treasures, I think the above things fall into that category. These are things that bring temporary pleasure. They are the outward things that man looks at.

But Scripture says that the Lord looks at the heart. Some day when the football player stands before the Lord, is the Lord going to care how many yards the player ran, how many touchdowns he scored or how many games he won in a season? When the editor of the yearbook stands before the Lord, is the Lord going to ask how many awards she earned? Does it mater to the Lord if AP students scored a 5 on their test or even if they passed at all?

No. What is really going to matter to Jesus is if each of these kids' names are written in the Book of Life. What does it profit a student, teacher, coach, principal to gain a winning season, numerous awards or a high test score if he loses his soul?

The primary responsibility then of a Christian school should be to lead students to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And if they already have one or once the student enters into that relationship, he then needs to be discipled in how to live out his faith.

This is not to say that Christian schools should not have these activities. All of these give students a chance to demonstrate and grow in their gifts and talents. But students, teachers and coaches should be encouraged to do their best not to please man, but to please the Lord. It also needs to be understood, however, that doing your best doesn't always mean you are going to win every game, earn every award or pass every test.

One day we are all going to stand before the Lord and answer for our lives. I hope and pray that each one will be able to give an account that will please the Lord. The greatest reward will be to hear "well done good and faithful servant."

Reflections

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 

-2 Corinthians 3:5

As my 8-year-old son and I observed the craters on the moon for science class, his simple observation of the moon's reflection left a profound teaching on both our minds.

"Mom," he asked, "the moon really has no light of its own, does it?"

"No," I replied. "It simply reflects the light from the sun. If the sun was gone, the moon wouldn't shine either."

Thinking deeply, he looked at me and said, "That's the same way we would be without Jesus."

Amazed at his understanding of the two concepts, I answered, "Yes, that's right honey."

As homeschooling parents, we like to think we are the ones who teach our children. But anyone who has homeschooled for more than a few years knows this fact: Apart from Christ, we are totally inadequate to teach our children. No college degree, teaching certificate or earthly intelligence can prepare you to teach your children the right lesson at the right time or how to incorporate into your lesson the true wisdom that comes from above. Like the moon without the sun, we have no understanding on our own to impart the truths that will forever change our children's lives.

The good new, however, is that you have Jesus, the "light of the world" in you (see John 9:5). Not only are you filled with his presence while teaching your children, but you also have the ability to reflect God's love to others by shining hope and encouragement into a very dark world. Just as Moses needed his shining face veiled after being with God (see Exodus 34:29-35), your challenge as a homeschooling parent is to live in close obedience to God, to reflect his light into your family and the world. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you" (Isaiah 60:1-2).

Lord, let me reflect your love and wisdom as I homeschool my children. Reveal any sin in my heart that would block your light from shining in my life. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

-By Janet Tatman from the Homeshcool Mom's Bible; p. 104