THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANEDUCATION
by Helen Frazee-Boiver W h a t is Christian Education? Some would surely declare it to be that phase of church activity focused upon the training of youth for Christian leader ship. Others would say that it is a plan for a Christ- centered general education, that can only be realized in a Christian day school. Still others might maintain that Christian Education is best fostered in the home, that it is really a parental program directed toward bringing children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Actually, Christian Education is a combination of all of these. It includes a program, but it is more than a pro gram. It does not ignore ethics, but goes beyond ethics. It makes use of leadership and organization, but it is not limited to these. Christian Education is really any en deavor, or combination of endeavors, designed to help young Christians grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Although it is impossible to divorce the two, broadly speaking, Christian Education takes up where evangelism leaves off. The purpose of evangelism is to bring people to Christ. Christian Education teaches them to grow up in Christ. As a child is not bom full-grown into the human family, just so no person is bom full-grown into the family of God. Each must be nourished and cared for. This brings us to the why of Christian Education. 14
It is quite as wrong to abandon a new Christian at the altar as it would be to abandon a new-bom infant upon someone’s door step. Some plan for Bible study, regular prayer time and association with other Christians must become an immediate part of the young Christian’s life, if he is to go forward in Christ. Familiarity with the things of God will create a greater interest in them. Just as it is possible to educate the ear to a better understand ing of good music, and to train the eye to look for the beauty in great art, so it is possible to educate the heart to a deeper appreciation of spiritual values. I shall never forget the first symphony concert I ever attended; but I do not remember it because I enjoyed it. I was more confused than entertained. Too many things were going on at once. My ear had not yet learned just what to listen for. It was all too complicated for me. I needed to discover a way to break it down into component parts before I really could get pleasure from the total. It is just so with Christianity. There is too much of it to take in at once. It must be broken down into simple things we can understand. This brings us to the what of Chris tian Education. What are the component parts of Christianity? They are a combination of Christian graces, but there are so many of them that we can only consider a few. Where shall we THE KING'S BUSINESS
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