Bible verses about education
By Rod Dreher
Rawlings School of Divinity
CLED 720: Biblical & Theological Foundations of Education
Genevieve Hamer
July 1, 2022
What does the Bible say about education?
Since the Bible is completely sufficient for equipping us to live a life of godliness, this must
also include matters of education. We must take a high view of education, because God does.
God knows all things and has created an elaborate system of laws governing physics and
biology and mathematics. We glorify Him by investing in a solid education. But what does the
Bible have to say about education? First of all, we can see that the Bible itself is meant to be
educational.
1. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, for training in righteousness.”
2. Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,
so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
3. 1 Timothy 4:13 “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to
exhortation and teaching.”
Education in Bible Times
Most of the time, children were taught from home by their parents. Most of the education
was from the mother but the father too participated when he was at home. This is because
parents are the people who are responsible for their children, and will be judged for what
children are being taught. We do see instances in Bible times of children being sent to a school,
as in Daniel. Daniel was in the king’s court. In Bible times it was only the nobility that received a
special education, this would be equivalent to going off to college.
4. 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are
able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
5. Daniel 1:5 “The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and
from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the
end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service.”
6. Daniel 1:3-4 “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into
the king’s service 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.”
7. Proverbs 1:8 “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s
teaching.”
8. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not
depart from it.”
The importance of wisdom
The Bible teaches us that having knowledge simply isn’t enough. Knowledge is knowing
facts about things. But Wisdom is from God alone. Wisdom has three aspects: knowledge about
God’s Truth, understanding God’s Truth, and How to Apply God’s Truth. Wisdom is more than
just following “the rules.” Wisdom implies acting according to the spirit of God’s Commands
and not just looking for a loophole. With wisdom comes a will and a courage to follow through
with living by God’s wisdom.
9. Ecclesiastes 7:19 “Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city.”
10. Ecclesiastes 9:18 “Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys
much good.”
11. Proverbs 4:13 “Take hold of instruction, do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.”
12. Colossians 1:28 “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man
with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”
13. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of
the Holy One is understanding.”
14. Proverbs 4:6-7 “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will
watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, though it cost all you have, get
understanding.”
15. Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
16. Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous
man and he will increase his learning.”
17. Proverbs 3:14 “For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than
fine gold.”
Always put the Lord first
Wisdom involves putting the Lord as our primary priority. It is seeking His will in all that we
think and do and say. To have wisdom also implies having a Biblical worldview – we will see
things through the lens of the Bible. We will see the world as God sees it, and conduct our
affairs with a gospel focus.
18. Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor
comes humility.”
19. Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believer in your
commandments.”
20. Job 28:28 “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is
understanding.”
21. Psalm 107:43 “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love
of the Lord.”
Studying hard
One aspect of an education is studying. This requires immense discipline. Studying is not
for the weak. While it is often tempting to want to shun study, or to think that it is the opposite
of fun every single time, the Bible says that studying is very important. The Bible teaches that it
is important to acquire knowledge and that we need to work hard and become good at
handling His Word. We are also commanded to do all things for His glory – this includes
studying. Studying in school can be just as glorifying to God as singing a hymn if it is done
rightly.
22. Proverbs 18:15 “The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise
seeks knowledge.”
23. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
24. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
25. Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and
successful.”
The education of Moses
Moses was raised with the Egyptians. He received an Egyptian education. Students were
taught reading, writing, mathematics, medicine, geography, history, music, and science. The
Book of Instruction was used to teach morality, ethics, and humanities. Since Moses was in the
royal household, he would have received a specialized education that was reserved for children
of the nobility. This included instruction on the ways of court and religious teaching. Many of
the children of noble households would leave their education to become priests and scribes.
27. Acts 7:22 “Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man
of power in words and deeds.”
Solomon’s Wisdom
King Solomon was the wisest human that has ever lived, or ever will be. He had an
immense amount of knowledge about the world and how it worked in addition to a
tremendous amount of wisdom. King Solomon was just an ordinary man, but He wanted to be a
righteous king, so he asked God for wisdom and discernment. And the Lord graciously gave him
what he asked for – and blessed him abundantly on top of that. Repeatedly in the books that
Solomon wrote, we are commanded to seek after true godly wisdom, and to run from the
temptations of the world.
28. 1 Kings 4:29-34 “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and
knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the
wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including
Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread
throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005
songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon
to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds,
small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the
wisdom of Solomon.”
29. Ecclesiastes 1:16 “I said in my heart, ‘I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who
were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had a great experience of wisdom and
knowledge.”
30. 1 Kings 3:12 “Behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and
discerning mind, so that none like you has ever been before you, and none like you shall arise
after you.”
31. Proverbs 1:7 “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and discipline.”
32. Proverbs 13:10 “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take
advice.” (Pride Bible verses)
