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In today's world, there are many philosophies of education that have captivated the
academic sphere. Though there is much abundance, I believe the purpose of education is to
instruct and build up students to be disciplined, work hard, and honor God. Discipline teaches
students how to be organized and plan. Determination teaches students the value of never giving
up even when tasks get challenging. Working to honor God shows reverence to God being the
sustainer and guidance in life. These three focuses will set up students for success academically
and in their day to day lives. In education it is important to recognize that God has created
everyone and given everyone the ability to learn. Some instructional strategies that are beneficial
for this type of philosophy are having a growth mindset and incorporating problem solving into
the classroom. With the right motivation and philosophy, teachers have the opportunity to make a
lasting impact on the lives of all their students.
To begin, schools can fulfill the philosophy of discipline, hard work, and honor through
providing a Christian foundation as the learning environment. “Christian formation refers, not to
being forced to fit a pre-determines mold, but to the growth of the disciple into a unique image of
Christ’ and the process of Christian formation is therefore a process of becoming, through
virtue”(Arthur, 2021). At the heart of this philosophy is the aspiration that all students would
grow to have a character that exemplifies biblical attributes and ultimately honor God. Whether a
student believes in God or not, these moral groundings can provide students with a healthy
mindset and good work ethic. The long term impact schools should have on individuals is to
prepare them through education to exemplify attributes such as discipline, determination, and
honor. When schools not only care for their students' education, but also the overall well being
and development of their students, they will set their students up for future success. “We must
practice the art of commending students for their thinking, not just their thoughts...What might it
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mean to produce virtuous thinkers in a fractious age?”(Luetz et al., 2021). To be able to practice
this type of school environment would have a large impact on society. As students graduate and
begin their lives among their peers in society, they will have the opportunity to make a positive
impact. The intent is that students will be able to connect with others and share what they have
learned to transform society. Additionally their impact should resemble the nature of the
individual. Through their educational endeavors students will mature and begin to represent
qualities of essentialism. Essentialism is a conservative philosophy that focuses on building
essential knowledge and skills through hard work and discipline.
Moving into the instructional practices there are two that pair well with the philosophical
Essentialism, tied with Christian morals. The first instructional practice that is beneficial is
fostering an environment for a growth mindset. A growth mindset is a way of thinking that
benefits both the teacher and students because it teaches students that with hard work they will
improve at whatever task they are learning over time. “The growth mindset can be taught to
faculty, students and parents. Growth mindset is changing a student’s thinking that intelligence
level is not a fixed number and can change. Grit in education is how one can achieve long- term
goals by overcoming obstacles and challenges”(Hochanadel et al., 2015). Ultimately this type of
mindset will help students succeed and provide teachers with the tenacity to encourage their
students. Having a growth mindset also teaches students a biblical attribute of persevering.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the
testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”(Bible Gateway, 2016, James 1:2-4). The
second instructional practice that is great for this philosophical approach is problem solving.
Problem solving is important because it instills a demonstration of maturity in the learner.
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“Perhaps the best point of view with which to face problems is to see them as opportunities to
exercise faith, to practice trusting the Lord, to prove God’s great faithfulness, and to be proved
by Him”(Christian Principles, 2022). Not only will learners be given an opportunity to grow in
maturity, but also honor God through putting their trust in Him.
Furthermore during the learning process both the teacher and the learner have necessary
roles. The role of the learner during the learning process is to grow in their development of
character and further their educational knowledge. “Although the learner is immature and is in
the process of developing a cultural perspective, the teacher is to respect each student’s personal
dignity. Thus, the teacher should respect the learner and help him or her to realize the fullness of
his or her own personality”(Gutek, 2013). The learner may not be quite aware of what they are
fully capable of yet, but the goal is that eventually they would mature and become more involved
in society. The role of the teacher in the learning process is to encourage and guide the learners.
“The main goal of education is therefore to help human beings become more fully human.
Teachers need to ask themselves what kind of person they are seeking to promote, for it is not
sensible to pursue an educational aim without considering what its concrete realizations would
involve”(Arthur, 2021). As a Christian educator my overall hope is for students to succeed in the
classroom, yet more importantly find their calling from God. These two roles between the
teacher and learner cannot exist without each other. “The true student, aided by the teacher, then
is on a spiritual and intellectual journey to discover what is true, and good, and beautiful—first
by looking inward and then moving with all the inner resources possible to achieve the fullness
of her or his human nature”(Gutek, 2013). This process leads both individuals to the
development of their fullest potential and calling.
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When it comes to diversity within the classroom the teacher should take certain factors
into account. Factors such as students' cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status, abilities, and
religious beliefs are essential to be aware of. All of this information will help the teacher to have
a thorough understanding of where each student is coming from and be able to provide a
compassionate learning environment. A crucial aspect to remember is that every student is
uniquely made by God. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created
him; male and female he created them”(Bible Gateway, 2016, Genesis 1:27). For Christian
educators the ultimate compassion comes from the realization that God has made every student
for a purpose. Furthermore student diversity will impact lesson design and instruction because
every student comes from a different background. In terms of planning lessons it is always
important to take into account the different needs of the students. ”The love that Jesus
demonstrated to all mankind is our advantage”(Long, 2023). I believe incorporating God into
this aspect of education is crucial because He can give wisdom and guidance in planning lessons
and cultivating an inclusive classroom.
In conclusion, education is designed to build up students in their discipline, tenacity, and
honor to God. Focusing on this philosophy will set students up for academic success and
maturing to their fullest potential. “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be
established”(Bible Gateway, 2016, Proverbs 16:3). Christian teachers have a great opportunity to
shape the minds and hearts of their students and point them towards a righteous path in life.
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References
Arthur, J. (2021). A Christian Education in the Virtues : Character Formation and Human
Flourishing. Routledge.
Bible Gateway. BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50
languages. (2016). https://www.biblegateway.com/
Christian principles of problem solving. JourneyOnline. (2022, July 13).
https://journeyonline.org/lessons/christian-principles-of-problem-solving/?series=23870#
:~:text=God’s%20intent%20is%20for%20His,reveal%20His%20power%20and%20grace
Gutek, G. L. (2013). Philosophical, Ideological, and Theoretical Perspectives on Education (2nd
ed.). Pearson Education (US).
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9780133472448
Hochanadel, A., & Finamore, D. (2015). Fixed and growth mindset in education and how grit
helps students persist in the face of adversity. Journal of International Education
Research, 11(1), 47-50. https://doi.org/10.19030/jier.v11i1.9099
Long , Dr. S. (2023, May 17). Culturally responsive teaching from a Christian perspective.
Curriculumtrak.
https://www.curriculumtrak.com/blog/culturally-responsive-teaching-from-a-christian-per
spective#:~:text=Whenever%20possible%2C%20create%20opportunities%20to,parents
%20and%20students%20to%20share.
