Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5302 education

The imparting of spiritual, intellectual, moral and social instruction, the basis for which is the fear of the LORD. People continue learning throughout the whole of life. The education of children in the OT was centred on the home and synagogue and was largely of a religious and ethical nature. In the NT, children were included in the community of the church, but the home was still the main sphere of their education.

The fear of the LORD is the basis for all education

Psalm 111:10 See also 2 Chronicles 26:5; Psalm 25:12; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:1-8; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 15:33; Isaiah 11:1-3

Faith is an essential element of Christian education

Hebrews 11:3 See also 2 Timothy 3:15

Education should not oppose the truth about God

2 Corinthians 10:5 See also Matthew 18:6; 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Education should emphasise that the world has a richness and coherence derived from God

Psalm 24:1; John 1:3 See also Job 12:7-10; Psalm 104:5-26; 1 Corinthians 10:26; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3

Education in the home

Through parental instruction

Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 78:4-6 See also Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Deuteronomy 6:20-25; Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Proverbs 22:6; Isaiah 38:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21

Examples of parents teaching their children

Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 31:1-9; 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Through parental example

2 Timothy 1:5 See also 2 Chronicles 20:31-32; 2 C 3-4

Through discipline

Proverbs 29:15 See also Proverbs 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:13

Education through religious worship

Joshua 8:34-35 See also 2 Chronicles 20:13; Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 12:43; Matthew 21:15-16

Education through religious festivals

Deuteronomy 31:9-13 See also Exodus 12:24-27; Exodus 13:6-8

See also

3140  Holy Spirit, teacher
5664  children
5685  fathers, responsibilities
5731  parents
7354  feasts and festivals
7756  preaching, content
7793  teachers
7797  teaching
8232  discipline, family
8365  wisdom, human