2024-08-11 Sermon Notes1
💡Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
- We must model for our children and students what we are seeking for them to become.
📖Bible Passage
Proverbs 1:7
Points
- Robert Lewis Dabny argued that there is no person more influential to a child than their parent.
- What is Biblical education?
- The God of the Bible must be central to every aspect of education.
- Not peripheral, or incidental.
- The most important scripture is "In the beginning, God": Genesis 1
- This verse is the foundation of all things.
- God is the central, foundational subject of all things.
- The God of the Bible must be central to every aspect of education.
- The God of the Bible is revealed most perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ
- John 1:18: No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
- Romans 11:36: Of Him [Jesus], through Him and to Him are all things
- God is, in reality, central and foundational to all reality. Therefore to view reality, detached from God, is to be detached from reality
- This brings us to our text: Proverbs 1:7: The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- Recognizing that all of our existence ought to be in subjection to the Creator, this is the beginning of knowledge.
- What happens when we seek knowledge, without God?
- Romans 1:28: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
- The ethics and morals of the pagan world are the outgrowth of a refusal to acknowledge God as central to everything.
- Godly education in the family:
- ⭐: Education begins at the lap of the father and the breast of the mother.
- Education must not be merely something we do at church, or once in a while.
- Education must be at every moment of the day.
- Parents must be "God-soaked", filled with God throughout their lives so that they may fill their children throughout their lives.
- Case studies:
- Moses was nursed by his own mother, yet raised by an Egyptian. Yet Moses left behind his Egyptian upbringing and served God instead.
- Daniel was forced into a pagan Babylonian context, forced to reject their own God, yet he and his friends did not waver, turning from their Godly upbringing.
- Views on education:
- some argue that we should allow a child to be an independent thinker, avoiding to teach them our beliefs and values, until a child is mature enough to decide on their own.
- Dabny argues this is incorrect. For it is unavoidable that you will influence your child. You will either do it directly or indirectly.
- How you raise your children affects not only your children but their children, all the way to the end of time.
- some argue that we should allow a child to be an independent thinker, avoiding to teach them our beliefs and values, until a child is mature enough to decide on their own.
- 1st principle: God must be absolutely central to all aspects of education.
- 2nd principle: The rising generation should be educated in a context where the bible has ultimate authority over all education
- God reveals Himself in all things, in nature, in general revelation:
- 1 Corinthians 11:4 Paul: Doesn't nature itself teach you?
- Yet God speaks specifically in Scripture, special revelation:
- Scripture, special revelation, has authority, above all other sources of knowledge available to mankind.
- We must thoroughly align our thinking with God
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
- This is your task. This is biblical education
- God reveals Himself in all things, in nature, in general revelation:
- principle 3: the rising generation must be brought up in a context in which parents embody the Gospel.
- Luke 6:39-40: Can the blind lead the blind? A disciple is not above his teacher. But everyone, when he is perfectly trained, shall be as his teacher
- In other words, Jesus is saying that if the student truly learns from their teacher, then they will be like their teacher.
- This means that the teacher must be what they want their students to become.
- Philippians 4:9 : The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
- It is not enough to say: Do as I say, not as I do.
- No amount of preaching and teaching can overcome your example.
- We must model for our children and students what we are seeking for them to become.
- ⭐: Note: Part of this also means admitting our failures, repenting, asking for forgiveness. We must model these things.
- If your children do not see Christ validated in your home, then they will not hunger for the Christ that is preached.
- Nothing hardens a child to the Gospel more than people who profess the Truth and yet do not embody it.
- Philippians 4:9 : The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
- Luke 6:39-40: Can the blind lead the blind? A disciple is not above his teacher. But everyone, when he is perfectly trained, shall be as his teacher
- Principle 4: the rising generation must be educated in a context in which the home, school, and church is united in training up the child to fear the LORD:
- Dabny: Christian parents teaching their children biblically, is the best means to bring the Gospel to our children.
Application
- Children, are you thankful for God?
- We are everywhere confronted with the truth of God. Are you thankful for this? You ought to be.
- Stop being irritated at God and fighting it.
- Are you taking advantage of the Christian upbringing that you are being given?
- Or are you quietly rebelling, doing the minimal amount of work to be acceptable?
- You are privileged. Use your privilege for God's glory.
- Brothers and sisters, expect God to do great things.
Further Study
💬Discussion Questions
2024-08-11 Sermon Notes1
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On this page
💡Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
📖Bible Passage
Points
Application
Further Study
💬Discussion Questions