‘What is education?’ was the question that ushered the students into the module of ‘Education in the Christian Community’ and left us quite dumbfounded as we strained the boundaries of our minds with rolling eyes for the ‘perfect’ definition. In my days of young, my notion of education was to study hard, learn as much as I could, get good grades and make it big in society. How wrong I was!
Several interesting concepts and practices did come to mind as we were introduced to the Latin words by Rev Casey our lecturer, the Es, ‘Educare’ and ‘Educere’ meaning‘to bring up, rear, train’ and “to lead forth or to draw out” respectively.
Knowledge by itself has no value. Having more knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean better. It is ‘Educere’; aimed at fulfilling one’s potential. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and many other super achievers never finished grade school. They succeeded because they knew how to research, collect information for a selected project and process the knowledge. Classroom environment does not work that way; it focuses on the collection of knowledge without a clear purpose, other than high grades. If the purpose does not motivate, then there is nothing to process outside of knowledge acquired. The typical student is academic challenged while being motivation starved. When I first entered full-time bible college in July 2010, I was determined to do my best which included striving towards the necessary grades. However, as time went by I realized it was becoming tedious and tiresome. I became less motivated and lost focus of the greatest call, the Great Commission. Thankfully, through much prayer, promptings from the Holy Spirit and fellow students, I was able to realign to learning and building with the purpose ‘to be’ the best in areas where God uses me.
Education is formal and informal. When the term ‘education’ is used, it conjures of archetypal impressions of a classroom with a boring teacher droning away in the front. Sadly, the term ‘Christian education’ does portray the same images to the mind even in a church environment. Education is formal and informal; formal whereby a teacher exists; informal when we learn naturally ‘out of the box’ through accidental discovery e.g. one’s survival instincts, greed, and stealing. It applies to both within and external of a school context. The point on natural education teaches me the lesson on humility. Being a flying instructor prior and now training to be a minister, it reminds me to be wary of a prideful nature that I am above others. Through accident discoveries, both teacher and student parties can be learners and embodies the image of both being active participants in the educational process. It teaches me to be willing to listen, learn, and be teachable as well.
Education in a Christian community is not confined to church. Community is more than a place. It is not a ‘boxed in’ but an outreach experience. It is a birthplace of common purpose; the seed-bed of mutuality and unity. It represents shared value, attitude, vision, and the ability to work together for a common purpose. Benjamin Franklin once said: "we can all hang together, or surely we will all hang separately." As a Christian, this has challenged me to building of an attitude that is inclusive rather than exclusive. Relationships are life-giving serving as avenues for educating others on how God has impacted our lives and can do likewise for them. It teaches me to forget myself and to be open to others as Christ was to the lost. Communities don’t just happen. We have to make it happen with warmth, care, honesty, passion, prayer, and a Christ-like character.
