There are many philosophies of education. In simple terms, the choice is based on how school executives believe that children learn. Teaching should be commensurate with a student’s human development, therefore, an educational philosophy is a commitment to that assumption. One example is the return by many schools to what is called “classical education.” This philosophy assumes the ideal method of instruction is captured in three progressive phases of development.
In the first phase the student is given lots of raw information to teach him how to learn (think elementary school). In the second he is taught to analyze the data and to formulate logical arguments (think junior high). In the third phase a student is expected to take the information, formulate the argument and then synthesize it in a way that can be communicated persuasively to others (think high school and beyond).
If you’re not a teacher I’m probably getting the “so what?” look right now. What does any of this have to do with the Christian’s daily life? I suggest that God recognizes that His children are at different stages of Christian development that we require distinct methods of instruction. Conduct an honest self-evaluation in light of the following verses.
Phase One:
Psalm 32:8-9 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. (Compare 2 Kings 19:28; Proverbs 26:3)
- Have you received God’s instruction, and do you know His teaching and yet are unable to cheerfully obey out of love for God and for His law?
- Does consistently living for God require others to intervene in your life? Is your habit to put yourself first unless others remind you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?
Phase Two:
James 1:22–25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
- Perhaps you do not require a “bit and bridle” and maybe you do not forget your identity as a child of God. As a result, you perform the duties consistent with that identity.
- Do you study God’s word, endure affliction and then respond in godly action? Then praise God! You will be blessed. This is a God-honoring response to what you have learned.
Phase Three:
2 Timothy 4:1–2 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
- This is hard core! Have you mentally prepared (ahead of time) to serve as a witness for Christ even when it may be embarrassing? Are you willing to call out evil, name sin and point others to Christ, but in a self-controlled way that educates the hearer and honors the Son?
- Ask yourself if you are prepared (ahead of time) to say, “Here I am. Send me!” when an opportunity to minister to your neighbor is staring you in the face, even when it is inconvenient.
These “phases” are imposed by me and are not inherently biblical. However, when compared to each other they can be instructive. Whichever one describes you, pray that God will help you move toward the charge of 2 Timothy 4. Fill your mind with biblical facts and invest in godly wisdom (Psalm 19:7-11). Use that information to formulate logical defenses for the hope that God has given you (1 Peter 3:15). In this way you can work toward being prepared, in season and out, to patiently, persistently, proactively preach God’s word.