Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
Many times in Scripture we're encouraged to grow in our relationship with
the Lord. But how do we accomplish this? One vital link for spiritual growth
to happen at West-Ark is our Education Ministry.
The classroom educational efforts need to be directed in such a way that we
are equipping people to grow deeper in their walk with God. Our classes at
West-Ark should be connecting with the needs of the students in the class
from Nursery all the way up to and including our Adult Classes. Could it be
that people see much of our Christian education as irrelevant because we
lack a connection between the life of the church, the classroom, and our
life from Monday - Saturday. For example, have you ever wondered how to put
into practice what we heard in the Bible Class?
Education has, for a long time, been a word that immediately conjures up
pictures of a classroom. After all, the model that most of us have
experienced for a significant portion of our lives has been that of a
teacher who stays in front of the room and instills knowledge into the
students. While there is nothing wrong with good classroom education, a
number of factors associated with life in this new century that we live in
should cause us to look beyond the classroom as the central setting for
instruction.
One of these factors is the issue of relevancy. I have talked with
individuals in the church who believe that classroom Bible study makes
little connection to their real life issues. We can overcome this by
encouraging people to get involved in one another's lives through service,
worship, or other ministry opportunities. In other words, helping people be
the church educates in a way that is much more relevant than classroom
instruction.
If we do this
Christian education moves from simply instilling basic
knowledge of the Bible (a practice usually confined to classroom
instruction and private study) to faith development (a broader,
classroom-transcending concept that speaks to the need for a faith that is
integrated with real life).
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page