Mark Virkler is with Christian Leadership University. CLU is an Online Bible College offering Christian Education which includes listening to God’s voice and offers certificates, undergrad, Masters, and Doctorates in the various Christian colleges of CLU.
In the fulfillment of the mission of Christian education, a Christian education should seek to achieve the following specific objectives:
1. Training Students To Sense God
The focus of a Christian education is to train students to sense the Spirit of God within their heart. Moses learned this in his burning bush experience in the wilderness. Paul learned it on the road to Damascus and in the subsequent three years in the Arabian Desert. Jesus, Himself, after going to the desert, returned in the power of the Spirit and began a miracle-filled ministry. We should focus Christian education on releasing the revelation of God within the heart. We should use our minds and books to help us clarify, understand, and validate the revelation that is flowing within us.
Out of the heart come the issues of life. The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart, and life and death are in the power of the tongue. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that students fully understand their hearts, and know how to sense the movement of God within their hearts.
"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips." (Proverbs16:23)
2. Training Students To Live In The Spirit
The Bible commands us to walk in the Spirit, to pray in the Spirit, and to live in the Spirit. To do this effectively, we must learn, as Jesus did, how to see vision and how to hear God's voice. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice." Therefore, the continuous training emphasis of a Christian education in both private Christian grade schools and Christian colleges, should be to bring students daily into interaction with the voice and vision of God.
3. Providing Students With A Biblical Foundation
A thorough acquaintance with the Bible is foundational, so that God can speak to them through the Logos and so that they can test all revelation they receive against the Scriptures. At all times we should go back to Scripture in prayer, saying, "Show me, Lord, if what I have experienced is compatible or comparable to Your Holy Word." Therefore, we provide students with an extensive "Through the Bible Series" that will give them an outstanding experience with and knowledge of the Scriptures.
4. Training Students To Eat From The Tree of Life
We have a choice when we come to learning: We can eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, or we can eat from the tree of life. Both trees were present in the Garden of Eden. One was forbidden and one was allowed. We were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and encouraged to eat from the tree of life.
What is the tree of knowledge? What is the tree of life? May I suggest that the tree of knowledge is the independent use of our minds, where we try to figure out for ourselves what is good and what is evil. Even if we use the Holy Scriptures in our pursuit of this knowledge, we can still run amuck. The Pharisees did. Paul did. But then he learned that he needed the revelation of the Holy Spirit to help him interpret Scriptures, and he prayed in Ephesians 1:17,18:
"That the God of a Christian education would incorporate Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints...."
The tree of life is in our hearts. Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches (Jn. 15). There is a life flow (revelation) through the Vine to our hearts which nourishes us and sustains us and allows us to bear fruit. And that fruit remains. A Christian education should focus on training students to eat from the Tree of Life.
5. Training Students For All Of Life
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Ps. 24:1). Therefore, we train people for all areas of life. We do not recognize a sacred/secular split. Whether a students vocation/ministry is within or outside structured church positions, a Christian education is for every student. And students may find that you work both inside and outside structured church positions at the same time. Paul was a tentmaker. Jesus was a carpenter. Abraham was a wealthy businessman as well as a great spiritual and political leader. Multiplying talents under the leading of the Spirit of God is surely biblical, even commanded (Matt. 25:14-30). We need fully trained spiritual men and women serving and leading in each and every job and vocation. This is God's plan for us: to be seated with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus and rule with Him through the gifts and graces He has given to us.
6. Helping Students Discern Their Basic Heart Motivation
I believe God has placed within each person at least one basic heart motivation which helps guide his ministry and vocational development and placement. In the course of a Christian education should study about these basic heart motivations and take profiles to help them discern the motivation(s) and giftedness God has placed within them. They should interact with the faculty and advisors to explore and to clarify what these gifts and callings are.
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