In our interview with him, E. Ray Moore talked with us about the importance of giving our kids a Christian education. Genesis 18:19 says, “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice…” Moore says that discipling the next generation is one of the primary responsibilities we have as Christian parents and that this discipleship ought to coincide with their education. Here’s why.
The privilege of teaching Christian values in schools
Everyone knows it takes money to keep a school running. Sadly, many Christian and private schools are so short on funds they are tempted to accept government funding, which comes with risks. When the government funds education, they have control over what is allowed/not allowed to be taught, Moore says, not the parents. He says accepting government aid, therefore, is a risky move for Christian schools because it’s likely to severely limit what they are allowed to teach. Schools need to be funded by Christian parents and churches so that the next generation will be taught Biblical values and principles.
The danger of other religions and agendas in schools
If we don’t keep God in schools, other religions and agendas will seep in. For instance, we’ve already seen countless schools teaching kids New Age ideas and allowing drag queens to read to children. As parents and guardians, we have to be vigilant against these ideas and not let the secular voices of our society be louder than our own. One of the best ways to prevent our children from being indoctrinated by worldly teaching is by giving them a Christian education.
“Christian education is the instilling of habits of mind and heart that incline and enable students for the rest of their lives to observe and understand and evaluate and feel and apply and express reality in reliance upon the gracious help of the Spirit of God purchased by the blood of the risen Christ for the glory of God and the good of the world, all of it in accord with God’s Word.”
–John Piper
If we want to pass Christian values on to our children, we must give them an education that supports those values.
Moore says putting children in either private Christian schools or homeschooling them is the best way to ensure our children receive a solid education. Scripture makes it clear that parents, not schools, are the ones responsible for teaching their children Biblical truth and training them to love and serve the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 says,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
If we neglect this responsibility as parents, our children will not grow up with a strong Biblical worldview. On the contrary, they will adopt the sinful practices the world feeds them because they have little to no foundation to stand on.
“The purpose of Christian teaching, according to educator John Van Dyk, is ‘to equip our students for works of service. That is, to enable them to function as knowledgeable and competent disciples of the Lord, exercising their kingdom tasks by hearing the will of the Lord and implementing it wherever they find themselves.’ “
Grace Christian Academy, “Why Christian Education Is Important”
Resources for parents
Making sure our children receive a Christian education can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources out there, including two that Moore shared with us, that can help parents in their endeavors:
- ExodusMandate.org helps Christian families and churches understand the value of giving children a Christian education.
- PublicSchoolExit.com contains valuable resources for those who are new to Christian schooling and provides helpful tools and guidance to help parents get started.