Topic: Research Proposal Thesis Statement week one

Don’t forget your header

(Be sure to supply a title page per APA formatting standards.)

Reminder: A detailed guide on APA can be found here.

Research Proposal

Develop a brief introductory parargraph or two.

Thesis

This paper will argue that although the discipline of Christian education has, at times in Christian history, been thought of as an optional task for the Christian community, a close investigation of key biblical foundations of Christian education reveals that Christian education is a divine imperative that cannot be overlooked by the church.

Limitations of the Study

The history of the Christian church is quite extensive. Therefore, this paper cannot survey all eras of church history. The paper will focus primarily on the era(s) in church history when Christian education has been somewhat peripheral to the church’s mission. Some attention will also be given to the earliest Christian church to consider how the Christians closest to the time of Christ viewed education.

Though the paper will demonstrate the fact that Christian education is a divine imperative based on biblical foundations of Christian education, it is beyond the scope of the paper to explore and evaluate every biblical foundation of Christian education. Thus, the paper will focus on those foundations that most clearly articulate the obligatory nature of Christian education for the church.

The paper will consider the role of the church for the purpose of Christian education, since the biblical precedent shows the church to be, at least in part, responsible for educating believers. The section will highlight some biblical examples of believers learning alongside other believers within the context of Christian community. However, this section will not list specific church programs or methods for educating Christians in the church. The emphasis will be on the necessity of the church to function as the context for education without delving into particular methodologies.

General Progress of Argument/Outline

· Introduction

· Historical overview-This section will highlight instances when the church underplayed the significance of Christian education. Also, the section will draw attention to the earliest Christian church to gain insight on Christian education amongst the believers at that time.

· Biblical foundations-This section will highlight key biblical foundations of Christian education. The focus will be specifically on the fact that education is not simply a novel idea but rather a command from God that must be obeyed.

· Education in Community- A review of key biblical foundations of education will reveal that Christian education is a task of the Christian church in particular. Thus, this section will provide an overview of the context for Christian education, which is the church.

· Conclusion

References

(Proposal should have at least 10 of the 20 required)

Anthony, M. J., & Benson, W. S. (2011). Exploring the history and philosophy of Christian education: Principles for the 21st century. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.

Anthony, M. J. (Ed.). (2001). Evangelical dictionary of Christian education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Bock, D. L. (2007). Acts: Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Blomberg, C. L. (1992). Matthew: New American commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Dillard, R. B. (1987). Word biblical commentary: 2 Chronicles. Dallas, TX: Word Books.

Estep, J. R., Jr., Anthony, M. J., & Allison, G. R. (2008). A theology for Christian education. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic.

Knight, G. W. (1996). The Scriptures were written for our instruction. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 39 (1), 3-13. Retrieved from http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/39/39-1/39-1-pp003-013_JETS.pdf

Norvell, W. H. (2003). Biblical foundations for the teaching ministry of the Church. Midwestern Journal of Theology 1 (1), 84-93. Retrieved from http://cdm16478.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16478coll3/id/6

Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts: New American commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Pearcey, N. (2004). Total truth: Liberating Christianity from its cultural captivity. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles: New American commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.