Today is the last day of this school year for my teacher wife and her students at the Wimbish Road Seventh Day Adventist School in Macon Georgia. Over the years RuthAnn has not only taught but been a mentor and sometimes mother to many kids. For her being a teacher in a Christian school is more than a job, it is a ministry.
Our children today are in great need of schools like Wimbish Road where education is centered on Jesus. So many schools have become places of despair and violence leaving no safe haven for our kids. Many will enter adulthood with no education and little sense of morals.
In the Bible we see that many times Jesus seemed to be surrounded with children. In the Gospel of Mark we find this story: And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them. “Permit the children to come Me, do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
You can see that Jesus was wanting children to be around him. I am sure he wanted to teach and show them that they were so important that He could tell the adults around Him that they needed to be more like children if they were ever going to get into God’s kingdom. Jesus knew what I think we are too busy to know today, our kids are the most important part of a functional society. And for them to be functional themselves we need to find a way to not just educate but to help them to find their moral compass. I believe that compass is Jesus Christ.
I am sure some of you might be asking, what does this have to do with a blog site that is normally addressing the lost sheep. Well the answer to me is simple. I became a lost sheep myself during my formative years growing up attending Catholic schools in Chicago. Even though they were supposedly Christian schools we did not do much talking about Christ. All my habits, future addictions were in place by the time I left the 8th grade. I believe if I would have had more Bible based programs and studies in those years I would not be writing this blog today.
So, what is the solution. I am sure I cannot answer that in the short space of this blog page. But what I have seen at the school where my wife is principal and teacher is certainly a powerful if not complete answer and it really is quite simple. Jesus is the center of everything. If math is being taught Jesus is there. Learning how to write a sentence, yep, Jesus is involved. Kids from a very young age know about the Bible and what Jesus has to say about everything. As I said it is not a complete answer because if what is being shared in school is not being confirmed and shared in the home no child can be fully ‘educated’.
We know from Luke’s Gospel that our Savior himself and His parents valued education. In Chapter 2 we see a story about Jesus at the age of 12 discussing matters with the learned men of his day and they were amazed at his knowledge and we know He continued his education because in verse 52 it says: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Teachers, leaders and even Satan alike were confounded by His knowledge and wisdom. An education centered on His Father was powerful in His ministry. We can do the same for our kids. But it will take commitment from not just parents but all the Christian community. Together in Jesus we can
So, congrats to the kids and teachers at the Wimbish School and all the other schools going on summer break today! May we all make the commitment to educate our kids in Jesus till He comes again.
Blessings John
5/19/17
Jesus in our schools, our kids best hope…
