Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go

I came across an article on education in Texas that caught my eye. It had this quote.

"Hopefully, in ten years, we will have begun the process of dismantling all the state's over-priced but low-performing universities and be moving toward post high school education sources that better meet the needs of students, communities and the job market. These universities are dinosaurs.”

This statement is worthy of serious consideration. Its way past time to rethink education at all levels.

Obligatory Judge Smails comment.

Instead of shoving everyone through the same broken system, we need to be identifying the grace and talent God has given kids, and prepare them accordingly. For some that may be an advanced degree, others an apprenticeship, and still others something new and completely different.

Too many college graduates I have met in the last few years have nothing more than an advanced high school degree, loads of debt, and few skills. There has to be a more efficient way to prepare children for success. And it needs to start very early in life.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

God has a perfect plan for every one of His children. We must be diligent in finding that path for ourselves, and helping others find their calling as well. It all starts with being rooted and grounded in Love. And being firmly attached to the Vine, allowing the Life of God to flow through each branch, bearing the spiritual fruit God has planned for each person. Education that is hostile to God's Word robs kids of the Truth. It undermines their spiritual growth, denies them the Wisdom of God, and leaves them vulnerable to the enemy.

An education that focuses on intellectualism, vain deceit, human tradition, and elemental teachings of the universe, while disregarding the Word of God, leaves a child forever in bondage to the world. True Freedom comes from knowing God's Truth. True Love comes from knowing God. And mature Love removes ALL fear.

Learn from Daniel and his friends who knew God and depended on His Blessing and Favor - God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (Daniel 1:17, 20)

Those are the types of reports we should have on all our graduates, and at every education level. We should be raising up mighty men and women loaded with Godly Wisdom in every profession. And placing children of God of the highest integrity in every elected office.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 Romans 12:2-13 (KJV)