The first “assignment” I give to parents coming to me for home education councel is to develop a Biblical philosophy of education. I know some of you think you don’t need a philosophy, you’ll just buy whatever books look good, and wing it. I also know that unless you are a “set in cement” type of person who says “we are going to make this work, no matter what”, you will be switching and buying other things that look better along the way – over and over. Now this isn’t about NOT buying new resources. It’s about getting the right fit. And learning to think “God’s way” – “rightly dividing the word of God” and applying to to every area of life. Anyhow, I’m digressing a bit.
My point is that whether you want to develop a philosophy of ed or not, you already have one, and unless you were brought up in a strong Christian home with a strong Christian education, or have already studied this out, it is not a Biblical view of education. Everyone has presuppositions about education (and life). A Biblical view of education just doesn’t come automatically when you come to Christ. You bring your old mindset with you, that must be renewed to think Biblically – about education and all of life.
Throughout these articles and my teaching I give you ideas on how to develop that Biblical view, but for those of you that desire to go a little deeper into the Principle Approach (PA), or even those that are following Lifestyle Education through Disicpleship a little “looser” than PA – but would like a more thorough, systematic study on this, I recommend the Self-Directed Seminar (SDS) by the Foundation for American Christian Education (FACE). It is a 9 Lesson study, teaching the methods of the Principle Approach as you research a Biblical philosophy of education.
In July and August we will be looking at the lessons of the SDS, 1 each week on Mondays, on the Bible Principles elist at Yahoo. I welcome you to join us there. Get the SDS. Join the Bible Principles list. Begin studying and send your comments, questions, and insights to the list, beginning with Lesson 1 on July 4.
