Christians Should Be Salt & Light in Public Schools
How often have you heard this statement made as an argument against sending children to a Christian school? I have found it to be one of the most common objections raised by those who do not believe in the value of Christian schools. It is a challenge that should be addressed. Here are my answers:
1. Schools exist for children, not the other way around. Our obligation as parents is to provide the best nurture and education for our children that we can. We are not called to build schools, but raise children. Certainly, every citizen can get involved in the public schools and influence them toward standards and values which are compatible with Christian thinking; however, this does not mean we should sacrifice our children’s education in the process.
2. The purpose of school is to provide children with an education so that parents can fulfill God’s command to train them up in the way they should go. The Bible never suggests that children should be sent out as evangelists. Our first question should be, "Where will my child receive the best education, one that addresses the needs of the whole child: mental, social, physical, and spiritual?" Usually, the Christian school is going to be the wiser choice.
3. If a parent really wants to help a child share his faith, there are better ways to do it. How about beginning a prayer project with your child to see how many in your neighborhood can be won to Christ? How about starting a backyard Bible study group for kids over the summer? How about taking them out witnessing with you as part of your church’s evangelism program? Then you can teach them how to witness and model it for them.
4. Are children really acting as "salt & light"? How many children are being led to Christ through public school contacts? Are there other opportunities for witnessing outside of the school setting? Won’t students in Christian schools also have these opportunities to witness?
5. Which is more influential, your child or the school? Will your child have a greater impact on the school than the school and other students will have on him or her? If you can confidently state that your child is a leader with a godly set of standards and values firmly in place, then the public school may make sense. If not, then the Christian school makes more sense. The Bible (Dt. 6) calls upon parents to teach their children the ways of God every day, all day long. The Christian school provides an ideal way to fulfill this command.
Christians shouldbe "salt and light" which is why we wholeheartedly support the ministry of Christian teachers and parents in the public schools. In spite of the severe limitations placed on them by law and school administrations, Christian teachers and parents do have some opportunities to influence the direction of the school for the better. However, what is appropriate for a mature Christian adult, whose values are formed and stable, is not at all appropriate for children whose values are being formed by the school.
Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A., Ed.D.
1. Schools exist for children, not the other way around. Our obligation as parents is to provide the best nurture and education for our children that we can. We are not called to build schools, but raise children. Certainly, every citizen can get involved in the public schools and influence them toward standards and values which are compatible with Christian thinking; however, this does not mean we should sacrifice our children’s education in the process.
2. The purpose of school is to provide children with an education so that parents can fulfill God’s command to train them up in the way they should go. The Bible never suggests that children should be sent out as evangelists. Our first question should be, "Where will my child receive the best education, one that addresses the needs of the whole child: mental, social, physical, and spiritual?" Usually, the Christian school is going to be the wiser choice.
3. If a parent really wants to help a child share his faith, there are better ways to do it. How about beginning a prayer project with your child to see how many in your neighborhood can be won to Christ? How about starting a backyard Bible study group for kids over the summer? How about taking them out witnessing with you as part of your church’s evangelism program? Then you can teach them how to witness and model it for them.
4. Are children really acting as "salt & light"? How many children are being led to Christ through public school contacts? Are there other opportunities for witnessing outside of the school setting? Won’t students in Christian schools also have these opportunities to witness?
5. Which is more influential, your child or the school? Will your child have a greater impact on the school than the school and other students will have on him or her? If you can confidently state that your child is a leader with a godly set of standards and values firmly in place, then the public school may make sense. If not, then the Christian school makes more sense. The Bible (Dt. 6) calls upon parents to teach their children the ways of God every day, all day long. The Christian school provides an ideal way to fulfill this command.
Christians shouldbe "salt and light" which is why we wholeheartedly support the ministry of Christian teachers and parents in the public schools. In spite of the severe limitations placed on them by law and school administrations, Christian teachers and parents do have some opportunities to influence the direction of the school for the better. However, what is appropriate for a mature Christian adult, whose values are formed and stable, is not at all appropriate for children whose values are being formed by the school.
Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A., Ed.D.