CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study
A Christian’s spiritual formation is the central tenet of Christian education. Christian education essentially is not about passing on knowledge; rather it is about people and their relationship with God. It presents both occasions for reflections and contemplation and practical help for the congregation to develop their personal and congregational (spiritual community) spiritual lives. To transform disciples inwardly, being like Christ, so that we outwardly and naturally exhibit fruits, behaving like Christ. Therefore, facilitating the process of Christian formation within the believer is the ultimate aim to which Christian educators should likewise commit themselves.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians emphasizing on this fact, stating that “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”[1]~ Ephesians 4:14-16
The purpose of Bible teaching is to bring change into the life of the learner until he has reached maturity in Christ a lifelong task. This maturity is achieved when a person has knowledge of God’s Word, with understanding, that results in changed behaviour bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, becoming stronger in endurance and patience, and being thankful.
Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which is discussed in a later chapter, supports the belief that behaviour is determined by one’s experiences in life and his or her responses to the influence of one’s environment[2]. There are multiple positive and negative influences in the life of a young person, but three play the greatest role in formative influence: (a) the home, (b) the church, and (c) the school[3]. The Bible says that the “threefold cord is not quickly broken”[4] (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NKJV). When the three major influences in a young person’s life agree, the student has a more cohesive foundation. The training of young people must be consistent in these three areas[5]. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, the church is not the primary disciple of believers, especially when it pertains to children. The primary disciple of believers should be the family.
However, family dysfunction and lack of spiritual maturity have driven this responsibility into the church. The church is most effective as the co-disciple of believers; the secondary teaching and reinforcing agent that supports what is happening in the family unit. In this role the church can have overt and covert curriculum. While many activities of the faith can be taught intentionally, much of teaching is what is caught, not taught. And it is caught through intentional fellowship. Fellowship defines and validates our identity as believers. Without it the church is rendered ineffective in its essential functions. Fragmented fellowship results in tensions, as well as a lack of evangelism, discipleship, ministry or worship.
Through fellowship the church teaches through example as congregants live out their convictions on a daily basis. Church fellowship also teaches through the activities that symbolize the unity of fellowship in the church, such as the Lord’s Supper. In these terms, fellowship is more than just a feeling of goodwill. It is the intimate spiritual relationship that Christians share with God and other believers through their relationship with Jesus Christ. All these are what should be the focus of the Christian Educators and Church leaders.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Studies have shown that Christians who are highly spiritually relational within the church fellowship through the various activities are not involved in the same highly spiritual relationship with God, especially as practiced through prayer and the disciplines. This finding may supply insight into the phenomena of Christians who fall away from God when they leave their church settings. A Christian’s spiritual focus is turned more toward other Christians and less toward intimate time with God. If their foundation is a Christian community and not the Lord then Christians’ spiritual lives will undergo a profound shaking when the foundation is challenged.
Have Christian education prepares Christians to face these crises of faith that they may encounter in the secular culture. The setting for such preparation in the Christian education environment is vital to the transference of faith and spiritual stamina of the Christians. They can get so caught up in the day-to-day details that suddenly time has passed without a deliberate effort to ensure that Christian formation is happening. Planning is essential and must be done thoughtfully and wisely.
- Purpose of the Study
The aim of this study is to help Christians build a solid spiritual foundation for their lives and ministries through Christian education with a view to prevent, if possible eliminate shallow spiritual teaching by making Christian educators understand their roles in the spiritual formation of Christians.
To achieve this, the following objectives were set:
- To investigate and evaluate what the church through the Christian education unit understands of their nature and role in the spiritual formation of Christians.
- To investigate the extent to which the churches’ understanding of their nature and role in the Christian formation contributes to intolerance in society.
- To examine how Christian education can better equip adults, teenagers and children with a strong biblical foundation and a life-long relationship with God.
- To equip Christians with a lifelong transforming and learning experience that emerges from our communion with Christ and the basis of Christian ministry.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The underlying purpose is to contribute to the current literature on the nature and role of Christian education in the spiritual formation of children, teenagers and adults alike. It also hopes to provide some indicative findings to interest and inform Christian educators, church leaders, researchers, the church, church schools and students of education and religion. The aim is to produce mature, disciples capable of engaging in ministry, knowledgeable about the basic doctrine and committed to regular devotional practices.
- Scope of the Study
This study is to highlight the responsibilities of the church through the Christian education unit including all concerned people in the spiritual formation of Christians. It is however focused but not limited to the church members, leaders and the Christian education ministers in churches under the Foursquare Gospel Church Somolu District.
- Delimitation of the Study