4:197 – What Should Schools Teach?

#faithbites #faithjourney schools

Setting

I believe education is the answer to all of our problems. (Besides, God of course) When we are educated we can come together, think creatively, and solve whatever needs to be solved. Lately, I have been seeing many posts and articles about what should be taught. From sex education to critical race theory to LGBTQ+ to historically excluded people to cooking and life skills. This is on top of what we used to consider core: reading, writing, arithmetic. So much to teach and not enough time to do it in. Plus, as is with everything, there are many who think some of this is fluff or bogus, plus many things a lot of this should be taught at home by the child’s parents. Where do we draw the line?

On the other side, when I ran for public school board a few years ago, I had a meeting at the school my daughter would go to if she went to public school. She asked if they teach about Jesus. I told her no. Her response was if I won, I would change that. I talked to her about public vs private schools and what is taught and not taught. Even to this day, she thinks that Jesus and faith should be taught.

Today’s Questions: How do we decide what schools should teach and not teach? What is core to us and what is core to our friends and neighbors?

Scripture

• Proverbs 1:7 – Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
• Ecclesiastes 7:12 – For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
• Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
• Proverbs 4:14 – Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Reflection

As Christians, we know that scripture is breathed out by God and is used for teaching, correction, and training. (2 Timothy 3:16). This is our starting point. We are told throughout the Bible that we need to train our children well and they will never forget it. It’s like riding a bike. Once you learn, you know forever. But, we have to take the time to train them.

Education is something that we should all want for each other. It doesn’t have to be formal K-12 education or even college. Education comes in many forms and we need to embrace it and help one another. We also know that Education and learning isn’t necessarily wisdom. Knowledge is facts, wisdom or intelligence is how to use it. I can teach someone how to make a cake (education) but they wouldn’t know why each ingredient is used or the impact that changing one has on the other. This is equivalent to knowing a few verses of Scripture and being able to apply the entire message to your life. None of us have it right and we are trying to make it better through prayer, learning, and forgiveness.

Finally, I don’t know what the right balance of knowledge (core subjects), skills (the ability to use the knowledge), or wisdom (the ability to know the difference and apply) is. As an educator and a Christian I want to go beyond the 3 Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic. Hey only one is an R) and get to why it matters. That is my prayer for all of us. We need to work in conjunction with formal educators (schools) and make sure our students are learning what they need to learn.

As we close, remember, we won’t always be here to provide information or knowledge, but the wisdom we give to our children and those around us, will live long after we’ve joined Jesus in Heaven.

Prayer

Father God, you are the way, the truth, and the light. Help us to follow you, love you, and most of all teach you to the next generation. You are our core curriculum. Help us find a way to supplement what some children get in school at home. Help us to find ways to share you through our words, deeds, and actions. Let us be the textbook through which people see you.

Lord, we pray for peace, calm heads, and understanding as our schools wrestle with what should be taught and not taught. Let our leaders listen with open hearts and minds. Help us to find the balance of knowledge and skills that our future leaders need. We pray all this in your name, Amen.