Biblically Integrated Christian education 3: The character and nature of God as the starting point / Values education Main ideas the goal of education Beacon Media Foundations knowing God and His character values education founded on an understanding of God s character Outcomes understand that the true goal of education is more than academic success have a Biblical overview of the character and nature of God be able to construct a values education curriculum based on the character and nature of God Content The goal of education Discuss: What is education? (learning skills and knowledge through school, family and community) How does education improve your quality of life? Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education. Discuss: What should the goal of education be in a Christian school? As Christian teachers, can we go even one step further than Martin Luther King s comment? i.e. What could we say about knowing God? Make a list of all the goals of education in a Christian school. Beacon Media foundations Beacon Media was established in response to the work of an Australian teacher, Margaret McIntyre. Margaret developed a Christian School curriculum based on the character and nature of God. This involved more than going through the Bible and selecting all passages and stories that teach us about God s character and nature, (although she did this.) She also connected the attributes of God s character and nature www.beaconmedia.com.au 1
to classroom subjects, so that God is revealed to the students through the subjects. Because God was always placed first, and at the centre of learning, the approach was called God-centred curriculum. Beacon Media is a free library of resources, based on Margaret s work, and the work of others who saw the importance of the vision. Prophetic insight The initial prophetic insight for God-centred curriculum was given in 1973 to a pastor in a church in Alaska. He was seeking God for understanding regarding the curriculum for the Christian school that was being set up in his church. God began to give him prophetic revelation, so he wrote it down as God gave it to him. Later he shared it with his staff. Two of these teachers shared it with other teachers when they attended a course run by Youth With A Mission in Hawaii, 1978. "I, the Lord God, am calling my people out from the world, calling my people to separate themselves and sanctify themselves that they might do the work of the ministry In regard to education, I would have my people to put away old forms; I would have them seek Me concerning not what is good, but that which is perfect in my sight, and that which proclaims My Son, Jesus Christ as Lord. I would have as the basis, at the foundation of any educational endeavour, that rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. "Therefore, let my people know that it is no longer acceptable in the Lord's sight to bring My truth into the curriculum, but the Lord is now calling for My truth to BE the curriculum." "Just as every name of Christ reveals a portion of truth: Comforter, Saviour, Healer.so I would have Science reveal Jesus as Creator and sustainer of Life; History, a revelation of God working through men to achieve His divine purpose Each subject should reveal the Holy Spirit as teacher " "Those with this vision must end their perception that academic disciplines are secular and Bible disciplines are spiritual. Both, when functioning properly involve the whole person, body, soul and spirit." "The school, through its administration and teacher, and through its curriculum, is to be a haven for My children. The presence of the Lord should be so strong as to be a shield. The healing and comforting presence of the Lord should work through the anointing of the materials. Many blocks to spiritual growth, to academic growth, to physical growth, to social growth, will quickly dissolve. My word goes forth to heal and preserve. " "The Lord is therefore requiring the Christian school in these days to be a centre of Christian ministry, and a nurturing place for children. This can only be done when teachers are Holy Spirit-led, dependent on God's direction in everything they teach. The curriculum must be living and exciting, not static or steeped in humanistic methods emerging from universities and colleges." At the conclusion of the course, four of the teachers met to pray about the form the Christian School curriculum should take. In prayer, this group were given 27 different attributes of God, as a basis for developing curriculum. They also saw that each www.beaconmedia.com.au 2
attribute was reflected in the mirror, indicating that there were would be a response in and from the teachers and children as they came to understand each attribute of God. Margaret McIntyre was one of the four teachers. She then went on to write thematic curriculum based on the character and nature of God. The following list of attributes was used as the foundation for God-centred curriculum: GOD IS: Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. (Only God can express these attributes) GOD IS: Creator, Shepherd, Protector, Preserver, Provider, Father, Healer, Light, Servant (God has these attributes in full measure. God can also express these qualities through the lives of people who allow God to work fully in their lives) GOD IS: Love, Joy, Peace, Good/righteous/Holy, Self Control, Grace, Justice, Patience, Mercy, Forgiveness, Resourcefulness, Kindness, Humility, Truth, Wisdom (These are fruits of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's children. As we come to know Him and allow His character to be expressed in our daily life experiences we grow these qualities to greater maturity). The attributes can be organized into clusters as follows: God is Creator Love Wise Designer Shepherd Just Powerful Friend Guide Ordered Father All-knowing Awesome Faithful Truth Resourceful Kind Right Protector Powerful Truth Refuge Creator Faithful Deliverer Healer Just Defender Lord and King Teacher Father Great and mighty The Way Pure Patient Servant Holy Loving Faithful Righteous Kind Healer Good Forgiving Humble Light Persevering Sacrificial Life Provider Peace Sustainer Father Reconciler Joy Faithful Forgiving Saviour Generous Protector Redeemer Resourceful Comforter www.beaconmedia.com.au 3
Linking the attributes of God link with subject areas Instead of separating our subjects into closed compartments, link them where possible using an attribute of God. EXAMPLE God is Protector Social Studies / history / geography: Study the history of shelter in our nation / around the world. Make the link between God s protection and the protection that buildings provide for us. Bible stories / passages: all to do with God s protection; testimonies of God s protection Art: models of houses Why teach the character of God? Teaching children about God is more than teaching bible stories. Children need to see evidence that God works supernaturally today. (This means exposure to testimonies, biographies and modern day miracles.) Children need to know God in a personal way, through an understanding of His character. Understanding God's character leads to a demonstration of His character in our lives. Values education Character True character is formed when we stop trying to be good. Instead, meditate on the goodness of Jesus As you take your eyes off yourself and place it on Jesus your character will take on a supernatural form. Using the attributes of God as a basis for character development An understanding of each attribute of God demands a response, from not only students, but teachers as well. As we understand that God is a servant, we are challenged to serve. As we understand that God is love, we are challenged to be love others, and so on. Power Point: www.beaconmedia.com.au- An overview of character development resources - See Primary Values Education www.beaconmedia.com.au 4
How does a program founded on God's character change our lives? God is Creator We stand in awe of the creator and praise Him for His great works; we understand that God created the world in 6 days and not millions of years. Related attributes: God is powerful; God is provider God is Love We love God as He first loved us; we feel loved and accepted by God and others; we love others; we reach out to a world desperately in need of love. Related attributes: God is Shepherd; God is patient and kind; God is faithful God is Wise/Wisdom We acknowledge that God knows more than we do; we allow Him to be in charge of our life. Related attributes: God is truth God is Protector We trust in God as Father; we feel safe and secure in His care. Related attributes: God is peace; God is provider God is Powerful We expect to witness His supernatural power in our lives; we allow the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through us; we rely on God's power and not our own strength. Related attributes: God is creator; God is healer; God is protector God is Truth We believe God's word and obey God's word; we discern truth in the world about us. Related attributes: God is wisdom; God is creator God is Pure We understand that we have sinned; we ask God to forgive us, and we live in right relationship with God and others. Related attributes: God is Holy; God is Saviour; God is judge God is Patient We are patient with others; we have self-control; we wait for God to answer prayer. Related attributes: God is a servant; God is love God is a Servant We serve God and others with humility. Related attributes: God is humble; God is love; God is a redeemer God is Life www.beaconmedia.com.au 5
We receiving God's gift of eternal life; we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour; we know the joy that Jesus gives. Related attributes: God is Saviour; God is joy; God is creator God is Provider We trust God as father; we thank God for His provision. Related attributes: God is love; God is creator; God is faithful; God is powerful God is Peace We experience inner peace; we feel safe and secure in God's care; we are peacemakers. Related attributes: God is Saviour; God is redeemer; God is protector; God is reconciler Make a study of the following documents on the Beacon Media website: 1. Themes for Christian Studies www.beaconmedia.com.au Primary Christian 2. Jesus First, a guide to character development www.beaconmedia.com.au - See Primary Values 1. Explain how these resources can be used to teach the values in the Fijian National Curriculum Frameworks. (see appendix) 2. Explain why it is important for a character development curriculum to be based on an understanding of the character and nature of God, and not just a collection of ideas for being good. www.beaconmedia.com.au 6
APPENDIX Values from the Fijian National Curriculum Frameworks The education system is committed to nurturing in children and students a set of values that will guide them through their lives. These values are fundamental to shaping and directing the curriculum. Values reflect the standards, criteria or guidelines that determine how we act upon available choices. They publicly affirm what we believe and provide the criteria that determine our behaviour in our daily lives. Schools and training institutions will address these values in their teaching and learning programmes and they will be evident in the general organisation of these institutions. As a nation, we are creating a society in keeping with democratic principles. We recognise that tolerant and responsible relationships are based on sound values. These include the ethics, morals and values of the extended families of Fiji, respect for others, and a willingness to conserve and promote those aspects of our traditions that are consistent with living in harmony in our families, in our villages, in our communities, with our regional neighbours, and with other nations. As a nation we have incorporated into our way of life the values of other ethnic groups recognizing the interdependence of individuals, societies, and nations in the modern world. We understand that our society's members need to be able to participate peacefully and productively with members of our immediate family, school, religious groups, community, and the world beyond. The NCF reflects the importance of providing children and students with an education informed by a clear set of ethics, morals, and values. These are ideas shared by the citizens of the Fiji Islands about what is good, right and desirable'. Through consultation and consensus, a set of values was identified during the development of the Ministry of Education's Strategic Plan (2006-2010). These were considered to be shared by a wide cross section of our multicultural society. The following educational values have informed the national curriculum of the Fiji Islands. During the implementation of the NCF these values will be addressed: Civic Pride Compassion Creativity Cultural understanding, empathy and tolerance Environmental sustainability Faith Flexibility Honesty, fairness and respect for truth and justice Human rights, human dignity and responsibility Integrity Lifelong learning Peace and prosperity Safety and security for all citizens (especially the child) Sense of family and community. www.beaconmedia.com.au 7