08/23/2026
This message was shared at Bethel Assembly of God this morning as we prepare to start school. We hope that it blesses and encourages you!
The Call to Christian Education by Claire Dant, Principal of Bethel Christian Academy
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I. BCA is Bethel’s largest ministry. My history…as parent raising and educating in homeschool, Christian school, and public school.
Definition: education provided by Christians
• Includes physical, spiritual, emotional, behavioral, social aspects
A. “Children are a heritage from the Lord… a reward from him” Psalm 127:3-5
B. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way…” --SCARY
If result dependent on the “training up” part can result in pressure and guilt since no parent can perfectly accomplish the task.
C. Children are created in the image of God, BUT they are not the same -- come with their own personalities, gifts, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. It is true that both “nature” and “nurture” influence a child’s development. Parents play a role in BOTH –
1. Nature – can you see yourself in one (or more) of your children? Some of what they get from us as parents is genetically coded into their DNA. Even so, each of our children are not the same combination.
2. Nurture - Some of their development is from how they are raised:
Even this is not the same for each of our children. (e.g., oldest vs. youngest, boys vs. girls, our own maturity or lack thereof at different seasons)
-- Intentional ( influenced by how WE were raised).
-- Unintentional: Since God is still at work in us, at times, our weaknesses or “the sins that so easily beset us” may be all too apparent in our homes.
--So some of what they pick up may not be “the way they should go”.
II. Parents called to …
A. Model unconditional sacrificial love (as Christ loved us) —
Ephesians 5:1-2, “Follow God’s example and walk in the way of love…”
B. Teach to know and believe/trust God’s Word —
Psalm 78:4-7 “ tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done”
C. Train to hear His voice and do His will —
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
D. Deuteronomy 5:4-9
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. A daunting task!
III. But God is faithful; He provides everything we need for life and godliness…
— 2 Corinthians 9:8 “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
A. The community of believers —
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, … encouraging one another”
1. Church:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each
one of you is a part of it.”
Titus 2:3-8 – older teach the younger
2. Christian School:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
a) Children spend 15,000 hours in school from K – 12 grade;
If the Word of God and His truths are to be spoken about “when
they go in and go out, etc. , they need to be surrounded by
Christian adults who share biblical values and can influence
them for Christ.
Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of
fools suffers harm.” [A fool says in his heart there is no God. These would
not be the best people for a child to spend 15,000 hours being influenced
by!]
b) BCA mission is to “create an authentic Christian learning community
to train students to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to
equip them spiritually and academically to be a light in the world.”
(2.) This means a focus on molding students to be like
Jesus as we come alongside parents to model, teach, and train
children and impart Christian values.
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We are thankful for the teachers and staff of Bethel Christian Academy who are
committed to come alongside parents and help train students. We are
thankful for the BCA parents who have chosen to invest in their children’s
education at Bethel Christian Academy. And we invite those who may not have
considered Christian schooling to contact us if you feel God may be leading you
in this direction. Call us at 301-725-4673!
