THE CHURCH AND EDUCATION: PART FOUR: THE MORAL EDUCATION REQUIRED TO UNDERGIRD OTHER FORMS OF EDUCATION

This part four of “The Church and Education” series concludes the series by highlighting the need for moral education as an essential component of any kind of education. Sound and quality education without morality may lead to producing some of the biggest criminals. Moral education then is a necessity to sound and quality education. The first, second and third articles noted the following main points:

The premise of this series on the Church and education is that the Church should give its members sound and quality education and should take the lead in providing sound, quality and moral education to all who encounter it. There is no arguing the fact that education of various kinds is a major component of being successful or having a full, interesting and fulfilled life. Ignorance, the opposite of education, is an enemy of humanity. True education overcomes some of the dangers and fears of ignorance and benefits all who embrace it. 

A disciple or a Christian is a learner and follower of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. A key component of making disciples of all nations (the Great Commission) is teaching and learning. Jesus himself was an excellent teacher. He engaged his disciples and critics by asking them back questions that helped them to think and find the answers to their own questions. He used stories (parables, allegories) to drive home his points. One of his last commands to his disciples was “… teaching them all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). The main point of the introductory article is that all Christians should endeavor to be lifetime learners.

The question that the second article sought to answer is, “How can each one continue to educate self? How can everyone continue to improve themselves by learning?” There is significant advice from John R. W. Stott who once wrote, “The best in any profession are those who have become students for life.” They tend to get ahead in their professions and attract recognition, resources, and fulfillment.

If you become one of the best in any endeavors of human life, you will have people seeking after you.  Ralph W. Emerson once wrote these words: “If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he built his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.”

In the third article the focus was on the question, “What kind of education should the Church be aiming to deliver through its learning institutions? The straightforward answer is “quality”. It is not good enough for the Church to open and operate schools and universities but it must ensure that quality is assured. How? To ensure quality in the Christian schools and universities there has to be a deliberate desire, plan, and resolution to correct the ills in our school systems and set the highest standards for education. This means to hire the right people who are competent (qualified by training in the field of education), have integrity, and willing and able to work hard. Conversely, such qualified and willing teachers, principals and presidents must be well compensated for their honest work.

However, all this could be undermined if moral education is ignored. This is the point of this concluding article. When we say moral education, we mean two basic things, firstly “godly” education and secondly, giving all of our students the strong sense and assisting them to place a premium on integrity. By godly we mean knowing and living the principles of honesty, humility, concern for others and the society that one lives in, living and promoting justice and peace.

Moral education, however, consciously seeks to live a life of integrity. John Maxwell (in his book, “How Successful People Grow”, Derrick Warren (in his work, “The Purpose Driven Life”), and Martin Luther King, Jr., all agree that character (integrity) is more important than competence, ability and experience as much as these are important and required for success and progress. The mistake a lot of people make is to develop ability, competence, and experience but sadly neglect character. The others can easily be thrown through the window followed by deep regrets when one’s character is damaged or one has none.

What then is character or integrity? Character or integrity is not reputation. It is a personality plus. One is not born with character. It is the result of environmental factors such as religion, educational system, family, friendships, community, life’s experiences, and culture. It can be learnt. Therefore, everyone can build and maintain a good character because it is the product of many controllable variables. Someone has said that integrity is the only policy. It means to be one and not multiple personalities.

It is consistent in character. It is having principles and living by those principles. It is having a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong and choosing always to do what is right. It is deciding in advance that certain things one will not do and others that one will do regardless of circumstances or cost to one. Warren writes, “Character is essentially the sum of your habits”. King once wrote, “May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause… The time is always right to do what is right.”