Dear Church and School Family,
It’s that time of year again! There’s a palpable buzz in the air as everyone prepares for the new school year’s first day: supply lists are satisfied, new backpacks are commissioned, drop off and pick up routes are mapped, favorite lunch foods are secured, and new school clothes are ready to be added to the rotation. The attention that comes with the “Back to School” buzz is undeniable.
However, while the buzz around going back to school has never diminished, the focus of education has. If not careful, even Christ followers can be lured into the mundane routine of each year of school compounding on the previous year with the only goal in mind being to simply prepare for the next year so that students can graduate high school with a high GPA in order to get into a respectable college and secure a profitable living.
Whether you’re involved with Bay Area Christian School, another Christian school, public school, or home school, Christ followers should all have the same mindset when it comes to education. We have to embrace that we are to be the primary faith trainers of our home. Deuteronomy 6:7 says, “Teach them diligently to your children…” (ESV). In this passage, the writer is imploring parents to own the responsibility of teaching God’s truths and wonders to their children. Also, if you’re not a parent, that doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook. Matthew 28:19-20 commands us as believers to go into all the nations making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all that the Lord commands (ESV). You see, education is a life-long journey, and as believers in community, we should take to task the full responsibility of educating biblically in our homes and circles of influence.
Many of us can slip into the routine of handing the educational expressed duties expressed in Scripture to our schools or even our churches. We tend to even compartmentalize education allowing subject matter to be separated from biblical truth. However, the Text is clear that in Jesus Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3, ESV). So, how can we as believers compartmentalize knowledge without the truth of Christ? It simply cannot be done, and to try to do so is neglecting to teach the whole person in entirety.
My fellow brothers and sisters, I encourage you to do several things this new school year. First, embrace the responsibility of teaching biblically to your children and those in your circle of influence – what an opportunity it is. Secondly, remember that in this endeavor you have a partner in Bay Area Church. In fact, there are many ways to employ a synergetic relationship with our church: attend worship services and capitalize on Faith Talks with your family or friends, adopt Legacy Milestones as a strategy to cultivate biblical legacy in your home, and use the New City Catechism to help familiarize you, your family, and those in your circles of influence about the truths of our Lord. Next, please pray for our school ministry, Bay Area Christian School, as it begins its 47thyear of Christian education as a ministry of Bay Area Church. You’ve been so faithful to support this ministry, and we ask that you continue to encourage it in love and prayer. Lastly, pray for our educators, administrators, and students in this region. Pray for guidance, protection, and truth in their lives and schools.
Remember, Jesus states in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (ESV). Everyone will be discipled. You have the opportunity to do so in your own home and in your own peer groups in such a way that will impact you home, work, community, 4B Area, nation, and world for the cause of Christ. May God grant you strength and favor, and may He continually go before you!
Generationally focused,
Dr. Jason Nave
Head of School
Bay Area Christian School