Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Feb. 3, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

BENEFITS OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Psalms 103:1-5

Text: Psalms 103:2

Psalms 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Introduction: People tend to take benefits for granted. People tend to forget benefits until they lose them.

Benefits are precious. Consider the benefits of your job — many employers offer vacation plans, retirement plans, workmen’s compensation plans, insurance plans. When you go to work for yourself all of those things will be gone.

There are many benefits to being an American citizen. The apostle Paul made use of his benefits of Roman citizenship in his ministry.

There are benefits to being a member of a local church. There are ALSO benefits to having a CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. I did not have a Christian education. When I was in school, there were no Christian schools in our city.

I thank the Lord for our school ministry. Although you may not have children attending the school, all of you church members need to thank the Lord for our school ministry, as you would for any other ministry of our church. Let me list some of the benefits of having a Christian Education.

I. ONE BENEFIT OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS HAVING BORN AGAIN STUDENTS

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

A. They all have the same Father

God is not the Father of people who are lost (John 1:12).
Satan indwells and leads people who are not saved.

B. They all have the same family

Saved people are brothers and sisters.
Government schools often have bullies and gangs.
At our school, stronger students are trained to HELP and PROTECT younger students.
We have a family spirit in our school.

C. They all have the same future

Saved children are all heaven-bound!
They are ALL being trained to be servants of Jesus Christ!
That’s right; the purpose of an “education” is to teach a child to find and do the will of God.
They may not all be pastors or evangelists, but they are all supposed to be servants of the Lord!

II. ONE BENEFIT OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS HAVING BASIC SKILLS EMPHASIZED

Basic skills are important!

Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

I’m going to give you the three R’s as the three C’s!

A. The skill of comprehension

RIF – Reading Is Fundamental
In 1955, Rudolf Flesch exposed the mistake of neglecting phonics in teaching reading, in his book, Why Johnny Can’t Read.
In 1981, Flesch wrote a sequel, Why Johnny Still Can’t Read.
Many of the children who have come into our school from the government school system can barely read!

B. The skill of communication

I’m talking about writing and speaking.
In our school we teach word building and English.
Students are required to prepare written and oral reports. You saw some of them speak at our last Parent Teacher Fellowship.

C. The skill of calculation

One of the benefits of math courses is that even if the material won’t be used in a person’s job later, they teach him to think, to consider possible solutions, to solve problems, and to persevere.

III. ONE BENEFIT OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS HAVING A BAPTIST SCHOOL

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Exodus 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Numbers 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

The fact that our school is also a part of our church helps maintain:

A. Unity in the scriptures

We do not have arguments over Bible versions in our school because of churches who believe other versions than the AV 1611.

B. The unity of sound doctrine

It is not my responsibility to teach doctrine to the members of other local churches.
It is also not my privilege to do that.

C. The unity of separation

Churches have different standards.
Sometimes conflicts in schools occur because of different rules exercised by different pastors and youth ministers.

D. The unity of a shepherd’s care

I can take opportunities to counsel our students in such a way as I could not if they were unsaved people outside of our church of if they were members of other churches.

IV. ONE BENEFIT OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS HAVING A BIBLE-BELIEVING STAFF

Galatians 4:1-2 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

A. They love the scriptures

Our staff members don’t miss a church service.
They read their Bibles daily.
They study it.
They rightly divide it.

B. They love the students

If you don’t believe it, ask our students. I think one of the things that balances our stiff rules in our school is the love of the staff members for the kids.

C. They love souls

Our staff members go soul-winning every week.

D. They love the Savior

Our staff members are working in our school because they love the children, and because they love the parents, but MOSTLY because they love the Lord!

Will you try to pray harder for our school ministry?

Will you pray for a revival among our young people this year? I have had at least five young people approach me in the last couple of weeks, asking if they could enroll in our church’s soul-winning training program.

Will you support the school by giving tithes and offerings?