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 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, 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 Nation Center for Education Statistics, private schools are twice as safe as public schools. While there is a myriad of contributing factors, the centrality of the gospel is in no small way responsible for shaping the way people view violence.

Are you considering the benefits of choosing a well-rounded, gospel-centered education for your children? We would be happy to talk to you about Emmanuel Lutheran School, a private Christian school in Asheville, NC. Contact us, for more information about our school and how your child can grow through a gospel-centered education.

Read part two of this blog, Five more reasons to choose a Gospel-Centered School.