One primary distinctive of a truly Christian education, is that it is built upon the foundation of the Holy Scriptures. For this reason, it is quite impossible for Christian educators to overestimate the value of God’s Word in relationship to the task that is set before them to train their students in the way they should go. The sad truth, however, is that Christian educators too often permit other voices to supercede the authority and centrality of God’s infallible truth. If you happen to be one who has permitted himself to adopt an apathetic view of God’s Word, you need to step back and ask Almighty God to renew a right spirit within you--- a spirit that is capable of recognizing the treasure that is God’s Word. The Bible alone is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Without the Word of God, human beings have no way to measure the validity or propriety of their thoughts or actions. For this reason, only the Bible can free educators and students from the confusion, darkness, and vanity of humanistic reasoning.
The second chapter of the book of Proverbs contains a precious promise for any educator or student who is willing to diligently search the Scriptures. The opening five verses of Proverbs 2 state:
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Human beings are masters at inventing ways to try to find the true knowledge of God. The Scriptures, however, plainly teach that God has ordained that sinful men must find out the truth concerning their Creator and the way of salvation through a diligent study of the Holy Bible. When spiritually hungry searchers begin to comprehend that the Word of God provides the only truth that can lead to righteousness and peace with God, then they are able to understand how great a treasure they have in God’s Word.
For those who have been saved by God’s grace, Bible study is more than an intellectual religious exercise. The study of God’s Word, with childlike zeal and dependence upon the leading of the Holy Spirit, causes readers to find God’s power and wisdom for everyday life. Perhaps Job stated it best when he declared that he valued the Word of God “more than my necessary food” Job 23:12)—and Job only had a portion of the Old Testament!
The man of God named Job is not the only believer to testify to the value of the Holy Scriptures. Across the ages and at this present hour, the people of God regularly witness to the transforming power of God’s Word and Spirit. Christian attorney and nationally known advocate for Christ-centered home education, Michael P. Farris, wrote the following testimony concerning the influence of the Bible upon his fruitful life.
“ My earliest memory involving God’s Word is from 1957. As a first grader, I attended aGood News Club and was given an assignment to memorize one verse each week. At the end of each ten-week period I was allowed to take a prize from “the treasure chest.” I have no memory of any prize from that chest, but the true treasure I gained is still vibrant within my heart. I can still recite verbatim the first Bible verse I ever learned.
Throughout my years in Sunday school and a boy’s program called Kings Sons, I memorized dozens and dozens of verses and even a few chapters of Scripture. My parents were new believers and strongly encouraged my memorization and made sure that I received thorough instruction in Bible content and doctrine.
I did well academically in school with a good memory as a significant factor. My mother told me—and I believe it—that my early memorization of Scripture was, in her judgment, a key reason that I developed good memory skills. I have no doubt she was right.
As I approached adulthood I began to rely on the Word of God to give me direction for my life. God used both Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 21:15 to confirm His call for me to attend law school. God’s Word was my chief source for determining that it was God’s will to move from Washington State to the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. And there are many more times God used His Word to illuminate my path.
The things I learned about God’s Word and from God’s Word are things I am endeavoring to transmit to my children. I want them to:
Not only do I want to ensure that my children do these things for themselves, but that they will transmit these values and principles to their children as well. Grandchildren who know, love, and obey God as revealed in His Word will be the real treasure in my life.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ give you a hunger to know Him more intimately through a diligent study of His Word. Never permit the world or the devil to rob you of your love for the Holy Scriptures. God’s Word is indeed a precious treasure for any individual or educational program, so start digging!
Copyright 2008 Michael J. McHugh