By bro Lee Tian Seng
The emphasis on children’s education is going overboard. Parents are anxious about their kids getting ahead of others in their academic performance in schools, thereby giving them the best education and getting them enrolled in reputable and good schools. Some Christian parents are caught up with this culture of “fear of losing out” when it comes to their children’s education. They may think that since everyone is doing it, then it must be right to follow them. The truth is that they need to understand that they are ultimately responsible for bringing up their children in the way of the Lord, and not the school authorities or teachers.
Ephesian 6:4 - And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
There are two things Christian parents need to watch out when it comes to education.
Firstly, the purpose of education is to equip our children with knowledge and skills so that they can use them to serve others and make a living. The Bible teaches that we need to use our talents and are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families.
Matthew 25:20-21 - “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
However, there is no need to be anxious about meeting our physical needs since our Lord has promised that all our needs will be taken care of if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first.
Matthew 6:31-33 - “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When we tell our children that their education is the most important thing in their lives, we miss out in teaching our children the importance of having faith in God and seeking His kingdom and His righteousness first. Parents need to teach their children to have that right attitude towards their education and material gain.
Secondly, parents need to be involved in their children’s education so as to ensure schools are providing their children with appropriate teaching and activities. There are some activities that you do not want your children to be involved in that are morally wrong in the eyes of God. We must teach our children to be aware of these and tell them to let us know. The problem with school education is that it is secular, not religious. So, if the school teachers are teaching evolution or homosexuality, we need to know and protect our children, either by teaching them the right thing or stopping them for attending such classes.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 - Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Parents also should control the amount of time their children spend in school and in extra-curriculum activities. They need to encourage them to participate in church activities, such as personal work, youth camp, benevolence work and Bible study.
The influence of the world and schools are constantly drawing our children away from God. Parents need to be in control and guide their children in their school education.