March 2001
EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
(1990 ACE CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS CONVENTION)
The speaker, Mr Gibbs relates a story of how he had to convince a judge in a court case what a Christian
School is.
1. A truly Christian School is dedicated with a passion to lead each and every child to a saving
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless He is
born again."
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Leading children to Christ is fundamental.
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Hell will be full of educated people.
More important than academic accomplishment.
Margaret the praying teacher.
2. A truly Christian school is dedicated to fully teaching God's Word.
2 Tim. 2: 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to
be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Ps. 119: 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path".
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The Bible is the primary text book.
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The Word of God is not an extra.
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The Boy who memorised 450 verses of Scripture as opposed to the boys who excelled at sport. God's Champion.
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The test of eternity.
3. A truly Christian school is dedicated to teaching Children how to lead others to Christ.
Matt 28: 19 -20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. "
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8 Year old Mathhew Gibbs, son of speaker, asking a man about to consume some alcohol: "If you
die now, would you go to heaven of hell."
4. A truly Christian school teaches children how to fear God
Proverbs 8:13 "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse
speech."
Eccl. 12:13 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the whole (duty) of man."
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The whore duty of man is to fear God and keep His Commandments.
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The Bible does not say that God is our Buddy or Pal. The Bible says God is our Creator.
Problem -Christians live sloppy lives. God does not wink at sin.
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Christian kids started to snicker quietly at Biblical things when a fellow pupil said he was going to
Bible College.
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Life is the stepping stone to eternity.
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5. A truly Christian school teaches pupils how to live holy.
Co11:22 "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in
his sight, without blemish and free form accusation".
2 Cor 6:17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and
I will receive you. "
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A command - Be Ye Holy.
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Story of the red-haired kid with the strange haircut. The stuttering Father who wanted to say: "I'm
proud of my son."
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Kid's response: "What my dad has never been able to say with his mouth, he says with his life."
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My dad loves holy things and shows it.
6. A truly Christian school teaches the pupils stewardship.
1 Cor 15:31 "I die every day - I mean that, brothers - just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 Cor 6: 19 -20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God? You are not your own."
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Pupils are taught the stewardship of Life.
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Doing is for Jesus Christ.
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A young lad who says: " Jesus I'm going to school for you today."
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The boy who takes his tests for the Lord. .We do things for God's honor.
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We become stewards of the life we live.
7. A truly Christian school is dedicated to Biblical Excellence.
Col 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
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God hates pride/vanity
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God promises to punish pride.
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Bible excellence says: "I'm doing it for the one who died for me."
8. A truly Christian school teaches pupils how to worship God
Ps. 95:6 "Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.".
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To teach the children how to get their spirits quiet before God.
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To teach that God will be there in the trials of live.
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Only God knows what the children will face in the future.
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