Teaching That Transforms

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What makes Christian education distinct from its secular counterpart?

Howard Hendricks | posted 8/11/2008

Topics:	Bible study, Book study, Creativity, Curriculum, Education, Learning, Teaching
Filters:	Apprentice, Bible study groups, Facilitator, Group Leader, Teacher, Train
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Deuteronomy 6:6-9 , 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Date Added:	August 11, 2008

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As a Christian educator, my goal is not to lecture, or even to lecture with excellence. My goal is to teach in such a way that students both learn and employ their knowledge. Teachers should view themselves as nothing less than disciplers. The knowledge we communicate affects more than the minds of our hearers; it should change lives.

In particular, I want to see the members of my group develop five qualities as a result of my teaching.

Deepening Commitment to Christ

Secular education asks what students know, not who they are. Christian education asks not how much students know but how closely they are following Christ.

In Christian education what goes into the head must move to the heart, compelling deeper commitment and greater obedience. Spiritual knowledge is never intended for the head alone—never focused on skills alone, facts alone, or principles alone. All knowledge must be dedicated to the glory of God.

While we may be tempted to assume that commitment is the hearer's responsibility alone, we know better. Teachers have a role to play, especially in calling people to obedience concerning what they have heard. I have found that I have a better chance of creating committed learners when I challenge my group with the implications of what they are learning, spelling out the application in specific terms.

Growing in Character

I want to see the fruits of the Spirit developed in my group. Mere knowledge is not my goal, but character.

I can instruct in such a way that people are satisfied with listening while not doing. I can make them comfortable with increasing spiritual knowledge while they lack commitment and obedience. I can enable hearers to be puffed up with knowledge rather than humbled by their disobedience to that knowledge. If hearts are not being renewed along with minds, I have failed.

Showing Competence to Live Out the Faith

I am dedicated to giving my hearers the skills, knowledge, experience, and character necessary to bear fruit for Christ. I feel the same way about equipping believers as a sergeant must feel in boot camp. I know that no Christian can become capable and qualified for the Lord's service without being taught certain skills. I don't want anyone to leave my group and be incapable of accomplishing God's purposes.

I think a Christian must be competent in three areas:

Knowledge. Paul admitted that he lacked rhetorical skills and personal presence to impress the Corinthians, but he stressed that he did have truth—crucial knowledge that was far more important. A student without a grasp of the Bible is a warrior without weapons. I am a teacher because I'm convinced that knowledge makes a difference, especially in how believers live and how well they help others.

Knowledge is more than the accumulation of facts. It includes the intellectual ability to critique contemporary books, song lyrics, and movies. So when discussing a modern book or movie, I regularly ask my group, "What are the values of the piece? What are the presuppositions? What is the scriptural perspective on this? What difference would it make if we acted on this way of looking at the world? How can we counteract the negatives?"

I am committed to training people who can learn for themselves—who do their own decision making, their own problem solving, their own creative thinking, and their own biblical interpretation. I want them to learn not only what and why, but how.
Emotions. True knowledge prompts feelings. Several years ago I flew to Africa to see Byang Katto, a key leader of the African Evangelical Fellowship. I took in the sights and sounds and smells of mission life in Nigeria. When we drove in the back country of Nigeria, I have never felt so close to death—people drive like crazed race drivers. And when vehicles break down, they just stop in the middle of the road. You can be speeding over a hill and whack—it's all over before you see anything.

Well, when I returned to my room, Jeanne said, "Howie, what in the world is the matter?" "Why?" I replied. "You're white as a sheet," she said. I described my ride and said, "Jeanne, we have to pray for these missionaries with a whole new emphasis! They face this kind of danger every day."

My personal knowledge of that missionary's experience improved my prayers for all missionaries. I now feel their challenges and dangers. Feelings aren't everything, but they are a vital part of a full apprehension of the truth. If we're not careful, we can suck all the blood out of the heart with facts and information. Instead, I want to enlarge my hearers' hearts as much as I do their brains. I want them to know the truth and feel strongly about it.