Wisdom Learned Here

I have the privilege to serve at a church that has a Christian school as a part of its ministry. Directly across the street from us is an elementary school. That particular school has a very good reputation and is highly ranked for academics and standardized test scores. So why should we (Trinity, or any Christian church that chooses) be in the "school" business? There is a significant cost and sacrifice that a church has to make to have a school as a part of its ministry. If it is to have a "safe" place for our kids to go to school, that's not a good enough reason for the sacrifice and cost. If it is to have a "nurturing" environment for our kids, that's not good enough. If it is to have a "private" school education for our kids, that also is not a good enough reason for a church to expend its resources. There is a reason. And it is also the reason we send our two boys to our school (Trinity Lutheran Christian School). The reason is found in Daniel 1:1, 3-7: "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility--young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. ... They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter into he king's service. Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego." The best and the brightest were taken. They were given new names, and were "re-educated" for three years. During that time of "training" they were taught a new world view. What those four young men had learned prior to their capture and what they knew in their hearts remained. The reason we have a Christian school here at Trinity, is to partner with parents and the church to give an academically rich education to children with a world view that focuses on the supremacy of Jesus Christ. So, when the world tries to "besiege" our kids and tries to capture them and enslave them to its philosophy and way of seeing things (its world view), they will see how hollow and deceptive it is--they will see it for what it is. Daniel rose above and beyond the others. His integrity, loyalty and education caused him to be significantly different. Over many years, I believe they (the worldly rulers and kings) put up with his religion and practices because of what he was as a person. Besides a Christian world view, another thing the Christian School can teach that the public school cannot is wisdom. Wisdom is the missing link. Wisdom is the application of what we have come to know. Biblically, it's the taking of what we have learned and putting it into practice in a way that honors God. True wisdom is "from above." God is the source of all wisdom and understanding. James tells us if we lack wisdom we "should ask God, who gives generously to all..." In Proverbs we are told that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A right understanding of God and ourselves causes us to humbly turn to the correct source. I have a vision to see more "Daniel's" raised up. Children raised in homes that allow a commitment to Christ to be nurtured, brought to church to worship and grow in their faith, and challenged in an academically rich environment where they can be exposed to people living out their faith and shown how to apply the things of God to their lives. I desire to see this generation, and generations to come offer up people who are wise--who can lead with integrity and who never lose focus on the things that matter most. "He who walks with the wise grows wise," Proverbs 13:20. I want my boys to be where wisdom can be found. My sincere prayer is that when others try to give them a different name or re-educate them they would remember their new name, "child of God," and "call on the name of the Lord."