Education is central to our relationship with God. In fact, the more we pay attention, education is front and center throughout the Bible.
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses begins to educate the people of Israel about God’s laws and commands. In chapter six, he instructs parents, to ensure they teach these things to their children. Even more, throughout Deuteronomy in particular, learning God’s commands is directly tied to one’s ability to love God. Education is required to live a life of responsive love toward God.
In Matthew 9, Jesus tells the religious leaders, who seem to think they have learned all they need to know, to discover what it means that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Education does not end with degrees or titles. Proverbs 1 tells us the wise continue to add to their learning.
Jesus goes on in Matthew 11 to give a beautiful invitation to find rest. The way to this rest is to be educated by Jesus, to take his yoke and to learn from him. The right education can bring life to our souls.
The very nature of our relationship with Jesus is that of disciples. The word “disciple” comes from the Greek word “mathētēs,” meaning student or pupil. You could say we are called to lifelong education, learning to live the way Jesus would live.
Going and making disciples can also be described as a type of educating. Disciplemaking is teaching others how to walk in obedience to Jesus.
Our ability to obey God, to follow Jesus and to tell others about God all require a form of education. We are all called to be students as well as teachers. We are all invited into God’s education process.
If education is in fact central to our walk with God and to the great commission, it follows that our educational institutions are of incredible importance.
I have had the pleasure of spending time at Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University this past year. On both campuses I have met students who have come to faith while at our colleges as well as students who have been encouraged in discovering God’s call on their lives. Each time I visit one of our schools, I am reminded how much they need our prayers and partnership with our churches because they serve a critical role in God’s educational process.
Do you see yourself as a student? As a teacher? As followers of Jesus, we are all called to be both. What step could you take this week to more intentionally walk as a disciple of Jesus and to disciple others in Jesus? Education is central to our calling as Jesus followers.
Further, what would it look like for us as a family of churches to broaden our investment in Jesus-centered higher education. Not just dollars, but in prayer and in partnership?
Education is central to our relationship with God. So, let’s ensure it is a priority in our lives and in our churches.
Aaron Box began serving as the USMB national director in July 2024. Previously, Box served for 13 years as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, Oregon. He has more than 20 years of ministry leadership experience. Box served on the USMB Leadership Board from 2014-2022 and has extensive volunteer experience leading in his local community. Box and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and reside in Eugene.
