Is biblical integration really important for Christian schools? Isn’t it enough to be immersed in a Christian school culture where Christ-like relationships are emphasized and Spiritual experiences are provided? Isn’t there incredible value in offering service learning opportunities to students to help them develop a biblical worldview? Today we are sharing insight as to why biblical integration is important.
Intentional Biblical Integration Forms a Biblical Worldview
Throughout any given day we encounter experiences and people that offer ideas laden with worldview beliefs. God, through his Word, frequently mandates that believers develop intentional habits of thinking to guard against harmful influences on worldview formation. God’s Word tells us that by renewing our minds we are on the path to being transformed (Romans 12:2).
Begin with Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (NASB 1995). The words, “see to it”, establish the imperative to monitor our thinking. We are to see to it that our thinking is not taken captive by ideas, traditions, and primitive beliefs that are different from biblical principles.
From the mandate in Colossians 2:8 and the guidelines presented in other passages (2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 1:2), the case is made that intentional focus on developing habits of analytical thinking about worldview ideas based on God’s word is necessary for two reasons. One reason to develop habits of thinking guided by God’s word is to defend against the bombardment and enticing faulty worldview messages. A second reason to develop habits of biblical thinking is to proactively expose underlying worldview ideas that are counter to Truth.
I heard Dr. Jeff Meyers of Summit Ministries, once say, “Ideas have consequences.” Think about that statement. The frequency with which we are exposed to ideas, the source of those ideas, and the age at which we are exposed to those ideas all have consequences on worldview formation. The consequences manifest themselves in our patterns of behavior, our values, how we relate to others, and our commitments.
Why Biblical Integration is Important in the Classroom…
Biblical integration, or as we say at Transformed PD, Christ-centered instruction, is the process of planning and teaching that helps kids think through the subjects in such a way as to connect and compare all content to a biblical worldview. Classroom instruction in all subjects should include learning opportunities for students to discover Truth that already exists in the content.
Every subject area and set of learning materials is faith-based. What I mean by that is that all learning materials are based on a set of beliefs. The foundational beliefs within the learning materials might line up with biblical Truth, but they might not. Kids need to develop the habit of thinking where they pause to discover the underlying worldview beliefs that exist in the subject area materials, and then compare them with a biblical perspective.
Teach Students How to Think; Not Simply What to Think
Often in Christian schools, we tell kids what to think without teaching them how to think. Kids need to develop skills in analyzing ideas to determine the core worldview beliefs undergirding those ideas. Therein lies the need for Christ-centered instruction, or as some call it biblical integration, and why biblical integration is important.
When teachers and administrators of a school strive to develop Christ-like relationships among stakeholders and provide experiences that foster an understanding of who God is and how we relate to him, that school is focusing on important ways to influence the formation of a biblical worldview. Without also striving to develop thinking habits for kids to discover worldview ideas and compare them with Truth, they fall short.
Emphasize Christ-Like Relationships along with Biblical Integration
Teaching lessons where kids are challenged to identify worldview assumptions and compare them with Scripture is so needed. But biblical integration is not sufficient as part of Christian education. It is important for kids to be immersed in a Christian school culture based on a biblical philosophy of learning. Kids can be powerfully influenced toward a saving relationship with Jesus when Christ-like relationships are emphasized, and Spiritual experiences are provided. There is incredible value in offering service-learning opportunities to students to help them develop a biblical worldview. What we think about, the relationships we have, and what we participate in all work together to form or modify one’s worldview.
Christ-centered instruction or biblical integration, where kids are required to analyze ideas is a necessary component of quality Christian education. At Transformed PD, we provide professional development on how to plan and teach every subject, so kids are comparing the ideas with a biblical worldview. Connect with us for information about how to get kids to think biblically within a school that promotes right relationships and right living.
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