Rebuilding Tower of Education Spiritually

Rebuilding Tower of Education Spiritually

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The Lord continues to speak to my spirit about rebuilding the tower of education.    He has, of course, led me to the Word. In the Word, I have come to understand where we may be missing marks in education programs.  God stresses the importance of family involvement in spiritual education. See Deuteronomy 4:9-10, Deuteronomy 6:7 and Deuteronomy 11:19.  Spiritual education must be the foundation of our tower.  Our children must come into our educational systems with a strong foundation.

We have often been faithful in teaching the letter of the law, but not necessarily faithful in teaching the spirit of the law.  We also have not always applied the admonition to teach our children in all areas of life because all of life is based on the spiritual.  A pivotal verse in this educational process is Romans 12:2 (NKJV): “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” 

 We might teach our children that they are not to be conformed to the world, but we may not encourage them to transform their thinking, their mindsets.  Children are not born with a spiritual mindset.  It must be nurtured within them.  If we neglect the transformational process, we have young people with worldly mindsets either struggling to conform to God’s standards or deciding to forego the things of God. The third part of Romans 12:2 is that in the nonconforming, we may be proof of the good, acceptable and perfect will of God that is demonstrated in an abundant life in Jesus Christ  (John 10:10).  We must teach our children that the reason for obedience to God is to allow the fruit of the Spirit to develop in their lives. It is in the development of spiritual fruit that we achieve “La Dolce Vita”, the good life.  It is not achieved in wealth, fame or power.  The “why” is vital.

Another area that we frequently misunderstand in education is the necessity individual differences.  The necessity of individual differences is apparent in the diversity of spiritual gifts.  Just as we tend to value some skill sets over others, we tend to value some spiritual gifts over others.   Each spiritual gift, each skill set is not only equal in value, but necessary for edification of the Body of Christ and the strengthening of society at large. 

 1 Corinthians 12:3-7 (NKJV): “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”   Society, as a whole, profits from the diversity.

Too often in education and in the church, we seek for homogeneity.  We fear variety of gifts and talents.  We must learn to value the living soul that is man and the diversity of both natural talents and spiritual gifts that make up mankind.  In education and in the Kingdom, we must value both the heterogeneity of gifts and the necessity of that heterogeneity.  God had purpose in mind when He created us as individuals.

We must desire education geared to individual abilities and spiritual gifting.  Education that values individuality is planting good seed in good soil.  It edifies not only the Body of Christ, but society.  As parents consider education for their children, both natural and spiritual gifting must be considered.  Education should prepare each person to touch the world as it is today, not as it was yesterday and not as we think it should be.

We cannot hide from the anguishes and challenges that face us today.  We must learn to confront in wisdom and love. That does not happened in isolation from reality. Nor does it happen in an educational system that is divorced from reality.  

Pray for:

▪wisdom in making school and curricular choices (James 1:5)

▪acceptance of the value of diversity in gifting (1 Corinthians 12)

Act:

▪encourage others to understand the value of their natural talents and spiritual gifts

▪encourage life-long learning