We are currently meeting every week over the summer to develop lesson plans together. Our first assignment was to develop our own Philosophy of Education so that we can have a main goal that will direct our planning.
March of last year, I posted about how a Philosophy of Education is simple, but not easy. From our recent assignment, I have now expanded this as I went through the step of 4-R'ing the word "education" for myself. This is something that I have already done in the past, but it is actually very enlightening to develop my own Philosophy of Education every year to allow the Lord to continue to teach and guide me as life changes and as I gain more knowledge of this approach.
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To develop my Philosophy of Education, I first defined the word "education" in the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary and defined the key words in that definition as well:
EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.]
The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.
- Bring = to produce; to draw to; to attract; to cause to come to a point.
- Instruction = the act of teaching or informing understanding which was before ignorant; conveying knowledge; direction.
- Formation = the act of forming or making; creating or causing to exist; production.
- Discipline = education; instruction; subjection; correction; to inform the mind.
- Enlighten = to give light to; to give clearer views; to instruct; to illuminate with divine knowledge, or a knowledge of truth.
- Understanding = comprehending; learning or being informed; knowing.
- Correct = to make right; to rectify; to bring back.
- Habits = temperament; condition of the mind or body acquired by custom or a frequent repetition of the same act.
- Religious = pertaining to religion; pious; godly; loving and reverencing the Supreme Being and obeying his precepts; devoted to the practice of religion; teaching religion.
- Duty = that which a person owes to another; that which a person is bound, by any natural, moral or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform; obedience; submission.
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Based on these key words, I developed a definition of "education" in my own words:
“Directing a child to be drawn to understanding that which was unknown before and forming appropriate manners that produce piety and devotion to the Lord with love and reverence for Him. In doing so, it's the parents responsibility to instruct him clearly with divine knowledge as we correct his temper and bring him back to the temperament that is pleasing to God out of willful obedience and submission to Him so that he acquires godly character in whatever he does as he carries out God's plan for him.”
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I then referenced some of those key words in the Bible using the Concordance from the Blue Letter Bible to find Scripture relating to what I want to know about education...Biblically. This is where I prayerfully allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me in what He desires for me in terms of educating my children.
Proverbs 1 (whole chapter)
Proverbs 1 (whole chapter)
2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.
Proverbs 2:5-6
“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 29:17
“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”
Psalm 18:28
“For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.”
Romans 2:18-20
“And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.”
2 Timothy 2:21-22
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
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Finally, I was able to put it all together and develop my own Philosophy of Education for my children. This is an exciting step to take and encourages me to have this as a direction to plan my lessons for next year!
“To bring my children up to honor and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ in all that they say and do. That I will produce a reverent love for Him as I instill Biblical knowledge and understanding in their lives as their Mother and teacher whose duty is to instruct them in God's Word (Proverbs 2:5-6). For them to take all instruction given to them and receive a pure heart that desires to be a vessel useful to our Master (2 Timothy 2:21-22).
That through correction from foolishness and guiding them to divine wisdom, they will be made perfect in His sight so that they are inspired from God's Word in all that they do (2 Timothy 3:16). I want to be a light to them to lead them out of darkness as I know His excellent will for me to form in them His knowledge and truth of the law of His living Word (Psalm 18:28, Romans 2:18-20). I trust that with this correction, my soul will be at restful delight as I watch them grow in the Lord (Proverbs 29:17).
It is my prayer that my children will grow up to be devoted and obedient to Christ as they love and serve Him with all their heart, and with all their soul and with all their might (Deuteronomy 6:5). I pray that for myself as well so that I will be devoted and obedient in having an intimate relationship with Him. That I will continually allow His Holy Spirit to guide and direct me as I have an awesome responsibility to bring up His children to serve and love Him for all eternity.”
This is very beautifully done!
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