3 Institutions of Education

De 6:1-9 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

1. The Home
The Bible makes parents responsible for what their children learn.
There are a number of passages to support this claim. The most comprehensive is the in Deut 6:1-9.
A study of this text reveals that it was God’s aim to preserve a godly heritage from generation to generation (Verse 2).
This was to be accomplished ONE FAMILY AT A TIME as parents were charged to teach their children that there is but one God and the primary purpose of life is to put Him first.
These verses require that parents in every home not rest until they know that their children have understood these truths and are prepared to apply them.
The most important institution for learning is not the church or school, but the home.
See Genesis 18:19
See Proverbs 1:7-9
See Ephesians 6:4
The first institution God established is the home, and He expects parents to give their children a Biblical perspective of life and prepare them to know and do His will.

2. The Church
The Bible makes the church responsible for the education of believers.
Matthew 28:18-19 – teaching mandated by the Great Commission.
Romans 12:7 – informs us that certain believers are gifted for teaching.
2 Timothy 2:2 – Timothy was commanded to be a teacher, equipping faithful men to be teachers of others.
This responsibility includes more than just instruction in doctrine and "spiritual" truths.
The Bible provides a framework for understanding history, science, government and economics.
It provides information on marriage, parenting, friendships, and communication.
Declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) mandates the Christian taught how the Bible applies to every area of life and learning.

3. The School
We are presented with three choices:
Home School – Parents as educators fulfilling a responsibility.
Church School – Believers as educators performing a ministry.
Government School – "Professional" educators performing a service.
The choice we make should not be based upon convenience or cost, but our Biblical convictions.
Who is best equipped to prepare our children to know and do the will of God?
Which will best support parental values and communicate a biblical point of view?