Eight Gospel-Centered Christian School Benefits
1) Gospel-Centered Education Glorifies God
The gospel is the central message of the Bible. The apostle Paul stressed its priority in his message to the Christians in Corinth:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
At the intersection of God’s love and justice, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, sacrificed his life as a substitute for man’s sin. Christ was raised from the dead three days after he was buried, proving his death was sufficient. The gospel is the good news that the curse of sin has been broken for everyone who believes. The gospel brings glory to God. For your child, there is no lesson greater than the gospel.
2) The Gospel Is The Cornerstone Of Education
“It is inaccurate to think the gospel is what saves non-Christians, and then Christians mature by trying hard according to biblical principles. It is more accurate to say that we are saved by believing the gospel and then transformed in every part of our minds, hearts, and lives by believing the gospel more and more deeply as life goes on.”
-Center Church, by Dr. Timothy Keller, Retired Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York, NY.
Jesus commissioned his closest followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey his commands (Matthew 28:18-20). The gospel is the cornerstone of effective education. The curse of sin permeates every part of our world, including education (Genesis 3); however, the gospel changes everything. A gospel-centered education instills in children a biblical worldview, helping them see the ways in which the central truth of Scripture affects history, science, math, English, and the arts.
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!'”
-Abraham Kuyper, Sphere of Sovereignty, delivered to students of the Free University of Amsterdam in 1880. Quoted from Center Church.
3) Jesus Practiced Gospel-Centered Education
Jesus was a rabbi and a Jewish teacher who modeled gospel-centered education during his ministry. The revolutionary Sermon on the Mount is one of the clearest examples of how the good news of Christ changes the lens by which we view the world:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’...But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.”
-Matthew 5:38-39
Rather than demand immediate retribution when we are wronged, armed with the forgiveness in our hearts afforded by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we can respond to evil with mercy and grace. For our children, is there a lesson more timeless, more vital than the importance of showing our neighbors kindness and forgiveness?
Gospel-centered Christian schools help students learn and practice the teachings of Jesus.
4) Christian Private Schools Are Statistically Safer
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, private schools are twice as safe as public schools. While there are a myriad of contributing factors, the centrality of the gospel is in no small way responsible for shaping the way people view violence.
5) Gospel-Centered Schools Provide Students With Supportive Christian Community
At St. Paul Lutheran School Royal Oak, our teachers are committed to teaching and demonstrating the gospel to our students. Our faculty, staff, volunteers, and parents provide children with a supportive, gospel-centered community. We share one another joys, burdens, sorrows, and triumphs:
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”
-1 John 3:23
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
-2 Corinthians 13:11
6) Private Schools Have Smaller Class Sizes
On average, private schools have as many as 40% fewer students per classroom than public schools. At St. Paul Lutheran School in Royal Oak, class sizes range from 15 to 20 students, compared to the national average of 25 or more. Benefits of smaller class sizes include:
- Academic Performance: Students who experience smaller class sizes are typically two months or more ahead of their peers in each subject.
- Literacy: Especially for at-risk students, smaller class sizes tend to facilitate higher literacy rates.
- Student Participation: Students engage with their teachers and peers more often when class sizes are smaller.
- Future Success: “Researchers have found that reducing class size can influence socioeconomic factors including earning potential, improved citizenship, and decreased crime and welfare dependence.”
- Teacher Retention: Teachers in smaller classes are less likely to experience burnout and leave the profession. In Michigan, where teacher salaries have remained mostly stagnant for many years, we are proud to have lower our classroom sizes and provide our teachers with more opportunities to engage with their students.
7) Proper Theology Is Key To A Child’s Education
What your children think and believe regarding math, science, and literature is important; however, what they think about God will shape their lives more than any other subject. What your children believe about God and the Bible will shape the way in which they answer the greatest questions they will face, including:
- What is my purpose? According to the Westminster Catechism, the answer is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
- How Should I Treat Others? In Genesis, the Scriptures explain that people were created in the image of God (Genesis 1-2). Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
- What is my greatest goal? The Missio Dei (mission of God) is to spread the gospel to the nations and all the peoples of the world. God commissions Christians to make disciples all over the world (Matthew 28:18-20).
- What should I do with my money? Proper theology helps students view finances as a gift of God to be stewarded well and used to advance his kingdom (1 Corinthians 8-9).
- Should I care about the environment? The earth itself is given to man to be nurtured and stewarded well (Genesis 1-2) until it is redeemed (Revelation 21:1-5).
Effective theological study will help your children find healthy answers to these and other important questions. Gospel-centered private schools elevate your child’s theological education.
8) Gospel-Centered Students Are Missional
The mission of God will be accomplished. People from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be represented in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 7:9-10). Gospel-centered schools integrate the good news of Jesus and the mission of God into your child’s education, instilling a passion for Christian missions.
If you are searching for a private Christian school that emphasizes gospel-centered education, contact us at St. Paul Lutheran School in Royal Oak. This school provides students with a well-rounded education that includes a focus on the good news of Jesus.
St. Paul Lutheran School Royal Oak is committed to helping students develop strong character and a sense of purpose, in addition to academic excellence.
If you are interested in learning more about the school and its programs, please feel free to contact us for more information.