Times & Directions Give

Newton Bible Christian School
Helping Families Make Disciples of Christ

School Starts at 8:30 a.m.

School Dismisses at 3:30 p.m.

 

Newton Bible Christian School

900 Old Main St

Newton, KS 67114

navigate Xclose

Our Philosophy

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION  

Newton Bible Christian School exists to provide a God-centered approach to education, rather than man-centered.  We view Christian education as one that holds that God is central and everything exists in relation to Him (Acts 17:28). Knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Living Lord is the prime essential in life; therefore, Newton Bible Christian School seeks to present Him in its entire program. 

The Source and Purpose of Christian Education 

The basic purpose of education is to provide training and instruction. The basic purpose of Christian education is to provide training and instruction that teaches, develops, and strengthens a Christian worldview. A Christian worldview is a framework for making decisions that aligns with the desire and will of God. This framework for understating the world and making decisions is revealed to mankind through the scriptures. Therefore, the basis for Christian education must be rooted in the Word. This truth is clearly expressed in Proverbs 1-4 where the value of Godly wisdom and knowledge is explained. The Bible exhorts all people to learn this knowledge and apply it in order to live a life of useful service (2 Timothy 2:14-17). Christian education is important because the consequences of a lack of knowledge and the misuse or rejection of knowledge are severe and have eternal consequences (Proverbs 19:2, Ephesians 4:18, Hosea 4:6). 

The ultimate purpose of each human life is to glorify God. Every person is made in the image of God and has inherent value. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14). All people are born in sin (Romans 5:12). Sin corrupts every part of every person including their hearts and minds. Every person has a body, soul, and spirit. The spirit part of man is eternal, and where a person spends eternity depends on how they respond to the Gospel. Because a Christian worldview cannot exist apart from responding positively to the Gospel, the heart of Christian education must the presentation of God’s message of salvation and sanctification. Only God can change a person’s heart though the work of His Spirit (Philippians 2:13). 

View of the Learner 

God designed people with the capacity to learn. Every person can learn, but there are many ways in which students learn including through visuals, lecture, or physical interaction with the material. Christian education should endeavor to provide students opportunities to learn using a variety of methods, but Christian education is not child-centered. The learner must take responsibility to learn regardless of the method offered. Proverbs 2 teaches that the path to wisdom is an active process. 

View of the Curriculum 

The purpose of education in a Christian school is to prepare students for a life of service to God. Therefore, Christian schools have an obligation to provide a well-rounded curricula from a Christian worldview. All truth taught is God’s truth, and all knowledge points to Him. God is the source of all knowledge (Daniel 2:21-22). It is the Word of God that “makes wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7); therefore, the Word of God is the foundation for what is taught. The Christian school has the responsibility to maintain an educational program that is equal to or better than what is considered standard for public education as measured by a standardized test. Any teaching concerning false views should be refuted from God’s Word as they are taught (2 Timothy 3:16). Christian education not only teaches children to respond by rote with what they have learned; it also teaches them to respond intellectually using their God-given reason, logic, and creativity. Students are taught to apply, analyze, evaluate, think critically, summarize, and construct using a Biblical world view. These skills reflect the image of their Creator God in them. 

View of the Teacher 

The teacher is first called to be God’s servant and then chosen to teach (Titus 1:1). As with all of God’s chosen ones, the teacher is called to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In order to disciple students, the teacher must be a growing follower of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 10:24, Acts 1:8a). The teacher should set a high standard of good works, integrity, dignity, and sound speech (Titus 2:7-8). The teacher is God’s messenger when proclaiming truth, but the impact of the truth on the learner is God’s responsibility (Romans 10:14, Philippians 2:13). As leaders, teachers hold a high responsibility before God for their lives, testimony, and influence (Hebrews 3:17, James 3:1). In addition to living as growing followers of Christ, teachers must be knowledgeable in their subject matter, able to relate to students, and skilled in pedagogy. 

View of the Scope of Impact on the Child 

Christian education is concerned with the whole child, body, soul, and spirit. We educate the mind while training the will and heart toward the authority of God and His Word. Because the spirit of a child is eternal, the truth about God, man, and eternity is central to Christian education. Discipleship is a necessary part of teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). In Christian education, this takes place formally, in the classroom, and informally, through life on life. All aspects of the educational program from recess, to lunch, to programs are designed to disciple students, preparing them for a life of service to God, his church, and the unsaved. In order to be life-long disciples of Christ who continually grow in wisdom, student must be guided into a passion for learning that motivates the student to further develop his Christian worldview even after formal education is completed.  

View of the Parent’s Role 

All authority rests with God. God gives parents the primary authority and responsibility for the training of their children (Deuteronomy 6:7-9; Proverbs 23: 22, Ephesians 6:4). Parents invite other mature believers into the lives of their children by entrusting their children’s academic education to the Christian school. Parents play an important role in the education of their children as they support the child through facilitating homework, acknowledging failure, encouraging success, and communicating with teachers. Parents also play a role in Christian school education by supporting the school and teachers in front of their children and speaking positively about the school to others. The Christian school, in cooperation with the home and a Bible preaching church, helps develop the entire child.  The school is most effective when teaching values, goals, discipline, and atmosphere of the home and the school are in harmony.  The teaching of Deuteronomy 6 extends to grandparents as well, and the Christian school should value the role of grandparents and encourage them to be part of the school family. 

View of Discipline 

In Christian education discipline is concerned with much more than correction or punishment. Discipline is first instructive as the Word of God is to be used for teaching (2 Timothy 3:16). Students should be instructed in the habits and practices of Christian living as well as the habits and practices needed for success in life and education. When instruction is not enough, reproof, correction, and training follow. The purpose is not retributive to coerce the student to change outwardly but Godly repentance from the heart which leads to new patterns of behavior is the goal of Christian discipline (Hebrews 12:11, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10).  

View of the End Goal 

The end goal of Christian education is life-long learners and followers of Jesus Christ who are equipped as disciple-makers and prepared to serve in the local church and reach the lost all for the glory of God. The means to this end is the model of Matthew 28:19-20. The manual is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).