Psalm 19:7b “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple…" (ESV)
The Bible comprises the heart of Christian education. It provides a worldview through which we can answer the important questions students ask such as “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” While conveying truth is a vital part of Christian education, it is not an end goal. Ultimately, we want our students to live the truth-to act with wisdom in an age deplete of wisdom.
As I was reading Psalm 19 just prior to the start of our school year, I was struck by the relevance of verse 17b to our mission at NBCS. Every aspect of Christian education, from Bible class to instruction given on the playground, is founded on the sure “testimony of the Lord”-Scripture. The word "sure" used in this verse implies a secure foundation. It conveys the idea of pillars and firmness. Our culture is continually changing its mind about what truth is, or if truth even exists; nothing is secure. As believers, we know that the Bible is the unchanging source of all truth. We have the privilege of allowing this sure truth to provide the foundation for all that we do at NBCS. God’s truth is the only stable foundation on which students can rest when life becomes sad, hard, or frightening.
Not only does God’s Word provide a secure foundation for our students, the Bible is also the means to wisdom. A 2024 survey of Americans found that 70% of Americans (64% of parents) say that the education system in the United States is heading in the wrong direction.1 These parents are correct because only when we direct students according to God’s principles for life will we meet the need that they have to grow in wisdom. The Bible makes it clear that the life of a simple person is naturally headed for disaster (Proverbs 1:33, ch. 7, 14:15, 22:3), and children are naturally simple. Christian education seeks to counter this by emphasizing Scripture which is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
At NBCS, each of our teachers and staff desire to come alongside parents to instill the “testimony of the LORD,” thus “making wise the simple.” We are so grateful for each family that has trusted us to do that this school year. It’s both an incredible privilege and a great responsibility!
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!”2
1Edchoice. (n.d.). Ritter, Colyn, et. al. 2024 Schooling in America: Public opinion on K-12 education, transparency, technology, and school choice. https://www.edchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-Schooling-in-America-PROJECT.pdf
2 “How Firm a Foundation” Attr. to Robert Keen, ca. 1787.
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