Strategy Applications
The Biblical model for education is first found within the context of the family, of which is articulated within Deuteronomy 6:1-25. The church however, coinciding with the missional objective of the Christian family, must assist in ways to recapture and reinforce education through the family. This can be achieved through the learning process when there is as emphasis on affective learning, rather than the more prevalent bent towards cognitive processes (Eldridge, 1995). Therefore, the task of the church is to overcome the prevailing influence of the world which is destroying lives and families at a drastic pace. Eldridge shares that the church through its teaching through Christian education must provide opportunities for relational processes in a context where the content of curriculum may be caught as well as taught, so that authentic learning can occur (1995).
Within our church, we believe the best way to conduct education is through the confines of small group in which sermon based curriculum is develop. Research suggest that people drop out, fail to go consistently, or fail to grow in a church have discovered that the first few months are a critical time period for that reason, it is important that a strong bond be between an individual and others in the church at this time. 80 to 90 percent of individuals who join a church become inactive during the first six months because no relational bond was established. Therefore, it is important that as a church we implement practical methodologies for grounding a person in the discipleship process. People who become members of small groups develop meaningful relationships, which result in strong bonds with the local church. This is what we ultimately w...
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...elical curriculum development. Religious Education, 75, 539-545.
Eldridge, Daryl. (1995). The teaching ministry of the church: Integrating biblical truth with contemporary application. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman.
Icenogle, G. W. (1994). Biblical foundations for small group ministry: An integrative approach. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press.
Lewis, L., Cram, R. H., & Lee, J. M. (1997). Curriculum and multicultural religious education. In Multicultural religious education (pp. 323–391). Birmingham, Alabama: Religious Education Press
Reck, S. (2012). Analyzing and evaluating christian religious education curriculs. Christian Education Journal, 9(1), 27-42. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from Ebscohost Web site: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=760929c7-71d5-4b38-a214-e66ad62a5d97%40sessionmgr198&vid=2&hid=105
Christian education is for this project. Christian education is the training of special agents of the kingdom of God and the consummation of creation.” (pg.139) I found it fascinating that Plantinga describes ‘us’ within the Christian education system are called or elected to help God regain and restore His earth here with Christ. We have to remember, “no matter what our primary occupation we cannot let it become a preoccupation.” Plantinga helped me to reflect on my current life, my current job, and my current Christian education. I found that when we let these other aspects of our lives, whether it be bills, work or exams, we often allow reality to fade into the background. Or perhaps we could look at it this way: Our lives get so busy and hectic that we tend to put God on the back burner. Christian education whether in a university or biblical studies at home will give us guidance through our hectic lives, renewing our minds and keep us in close connection with our Creator and the rest of His Creation. Plantinga sums up Christian education as “for the kingdom of God. It equips us to be agents of the kingdom, models of the kingdom in our own lives and communities, witnesses to the kingdom wherever we go in the world.” (pg.143) When we ‘put on the full armor of God’ we not only protect ourselves from this fallen world but we are also able to project God’s glory to all those who we encounter.
“In the light of our present day educational systems the idea of Church controlled education may appear to some as inefficient. However, the pioneering done in Virginia under the direction of the Established Church serve4 as a good example for the American educational ideal” (Duffy, 1946).
... The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha Revised Standard Version.(1977). New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Nyberg, Nancy.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Pastor of 1st Congregational Church of Dundee. Poole, W. Michael, D.Min., Th.D.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with pastor of Calvary Church of God. Strong, James.(1996). The New STRONG'S Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Tierney, Michael J.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Priest from Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Parish. Unger, Merrill F.(1967). Unger's Bible handbook. Chicago: Moody Press. Weizsacker, H.I(1958). The Apostolic Age. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. White, R.E.O.(1960). The Biblical Doctrine of Initiation: A Theology of Baptism and Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Goheen, Michael, and Craig Bartholomew. Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. Print.
Estep, J. R. & Kim, J. H. (2010). Christian formaton: Integrating theology and human development. Nashville, TN. B&H Publishing Group.
Bryant and Brunson have done a terrific job of assessing the pastoral ministry and giving sound advice, to the young or prospective pastor. The present author believes that this book should be standard in every pastor’s library. “God promises to be with his servants as they follow” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 16) The apostle Paul gave three rules to keep the pastor on the track of a good reward: “Fight the Good Fight; Finish the Race; and Keep the Faith.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 240-242) The greatest joy for a pastor is to, “Finish well.”
Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk, (2014). [ARCHIVED CONTENT] Key stage 2 | Religious education | Subjects | Key stages 1 & 2 | National Curriculum. [online] Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202100434/http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/religious-education/keystage2/index.aspx [Accessed 22 Apr. 2014].
Roncace, Mark, and Patrick Gray. Teaching the Bible: Practical Strategies for Classroom Instruction. Atlanta: Society for Biblical Literature, 2005.
In conclusion, teachers who share their worldview with their students and encourage them to also expand and develop their own biblical worldview are giving their students a whole integrated education. The hope of a teacher should be that what their students learn will carry them through life by always seeing everything through the lens of God’s
Mead, Loren B. The Once and Future Church Reinventing the Congregation for a New Mission Frontier . The Alban Institute, Inc., 1991. Kindle eBook file.
With this in mind, the following will focus on the spiritual formation process within the Christian community. The concept of Christian community stems from the Bible with the perspective of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is compared to the humane body, a whole comprised of numerous parts; each individual part is required and created by God to form a cohesive whole, no matter believer or non-believer or social status (1 Corinthians 12). Similarly, the spiritual community is also comprised of bountiful parts and can be customized to the individual as the formation. Ashbrook appraises the significance of individuals and community, “Our spiritual formation is designed by God to happen in the context of Christian community, the chu...
Richardson, William E., and Dave Kidd. “Articles.” Pentecostal Evangel. General Council of the Assemblies of God. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.
The Bible student, laymen, or pastor will find the principles presented by Fee and Stuart helpful despite the weaknesses presented. The author’s contribution on how to interpret each of the different genres is especially beneficial. The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.
Maddix, M. A., & Thompson, R. P. (2012). Scripture as formation: the role of Scripture in Christian Formation. Christian Education Journal, S79-S93.
It is important through Christian education to be aware of the impact that occurs in the heart of a child as well. Christian education must go further than giving the child knowledge and facts. It must include a vision for the impact their educational experience has on the heart of a child by seeking to educate their emotions and the influence of their actions in their lives. The worldview of a child is influenced greatly in their school experience. It is the responsibility of the educator to provide a learning environment that will make this impact appropriate and pleasing to