WHY

Christian
Education .

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 Who influences our children?
Train up a child in the way that He should go,
and when he is old he will not
depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

As Christian parents, it is
our deepest desire that our
children grow up to love
God and our “neighbours”,
just as Jesus commanded
(Matthew 22: 36-40).

This doesn’t happen
automatically and as the
verse above states, we
need to train our children.
Does this really only refer
to Sunday school and the
Christian home, or do we
also need to consider the
time spent in school in the
same light?
Who has the greatest
influence in your
child’s life?
Parents, friends, the media,
school, church?
INFLUENCE
Is school an environment that is training
children to love God & their neighbour?
Children spend about 1200 hours each year in
school and with school-friends and it has a very
significant influence.
The secularisation of education has been to the
great detriment of our children and our nation.
Values of righteousness, truth, morality,
love,purity, honour and family are disappearing.
In the last 30 years God has moved many to
rekindle Christian education in this country through
new Christian schools.
The thought of Christian education has often never
even entered many parents minds (including mine
until recently!), so the issues are certainly worth
thoughtful consideration and prayer.

Christian Schools do not receive

any government funding
Children spend about 1200 hours
each year in school
Most Christian parents have never thought
about a Christian school as a viable option
Common Objections to Christian Education

1) Children in Christian Schools are sheltered from the real world

Frankly, we wish we could shelter our children for longer (!) as they grow up quickly
and lose their innocence too soon. Children from Christian homes are not perfect and
the caring nature of the school means that it attracts a higher than average
percentage of children with “issues”. The children also interact with non-Christian kids
outside of school. Therefore they are not too sheltered from the day to day

OBJECTION!
challenges of the so called “real” world.

2) Our children can be witnesses in their state school

How many children bought up in a Christian home, backslide in their teenage years and
as a consequence suffer unnecessary heartache? As adults, we can find it tough
standing up for our faith in the workplace — How much more difficult is it for a child?
If a child has a strong FOUNDATION, they will be stronger in the long run.

3) The facilities aren’t as good as the state school

This can be true, especially when it comes to science or sport, but as Christian schools
grow, so the facilities will improve. Maybe you are part of the solution!

4) The qualifications aren’t recognised by uni’s or employers

That is incorrect. The ACE qualification is recognised by all universities, colleges,
government and, therefore, employers. Some ACE students have studied at Oxford &
Cambridge.

5) I know children that have done very well as Christians in state

school
Whilst there are some great examples of children who have gone through state school
successfully, sadly the majority struggle with their faith and find that going against
the flow of their friends is simply too tough.

As adults we can find it tough

to stand up for our faith in the
workplace.
How much more difficult is it for a child?
 Home, Church & School

What is my child being taught?

The Bible states that we should “set our minds on things above” (Colossians 3: 2) and not

CONSISTENCY
to love the world (1 John 2: 15) and to set our mind on things that are “wholesome, lovely,
and of good report” (Philippians 4: 8)
Teaching in many state schools is humanistic (God-less), focussed on worldly things and
applauds behaviour that God calls sin, with the ultimate aim of getting a good job and
earning money. Clearly education is vital to a child’s future, but the focus of Christian
education is not just making a child employable, it is also to encourage any gift they may
have and develop Godly character.

Who is influencing my child today?

Bad company corrupts good character (I Corinthians 15: 33). Many Christian parents despair
at the spiritual state of their children and the influence of ungodly friends is all too apparent
at the end of each school day. How much time do you spend battling to undo all the worldly
thinking that your child has learnt each day?
There is no doubt that good Christian friendships formed early in life are of great benefit in
encouragement, avoidance of peer pressures and promotion of a continued godly lifestyle.
Children need an element of protection from a hostile environment that will try and put
secular lies in their minds and imaginations: as every gardener knows, young plants need
protecting so they can grow strong before going outside.

Is my childs charcter being developed by loving discipline?

Raising men and women with godly Christian character is a requirement of a Christian
upbringing. “Bring them up in the training & instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6: 4).
God’s desire for all of us is to be “transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory”
(2 Cor 3:18). This MUST be done in a loving manner. Without love, we are nothing and we
gain nothing (1 Cor 13). Is that taught as a fundamental truth in state schools?
There is no mention in any government directive for schools about the development of a
godly Christian character, yet it is a priority for Christian parents. This is a conflict of aims
and vision.

Is my child being taught the same values in school as home?

A Christian education can continue with these principles in a seamless way so that children
will find consistent teaching at home, church and school. Other alternatives involve the child
in receiving mixed messages from authority figures with all the problems that result from
the inevitable confusion.

“Christian education ensures that

teaching at home, church and school
is consistent avoiding mixed
messages with all the problems that
result the inevitable
confusion”
 What do you think?

This leaflet is an overview of just some of the considerations we all face when
deciding our children’s future. Hopefully it has given you food for thought. Thank-
you for taking the time to read it.
If you have any questions, no matter how small, please call, email or write to us.
Email us at bridgendchristianschool@gmail.com
Phone the Head, Mrs Helen James on 01656 768028
Write to the address below.

testimonials from parents and students.

CONCLUDE
Our website contains some great It
also has information about Bridgend Christian School and links to other sites.
Here is one quick testimonial
We have 2 children (aged 7 and 10). Our son started in a state school, but my wife
always wanted a Christian school for him. However, I was worried that he’d be too
sheltered from the real world, have few friends and miss opportunities that state
school gives. He wasn’t happy in the state school, so we moved him to the
Christian school. To my surprise, I discovered that I was totally and utterly wrong!
The caring atmosphere was fantastic and soon our son was happy interacting with
children aged 3 to 18! It is like an extended family. Educationally he is doing well
and he interacts well with his non-Christian friends outside of school. It is a real
blessing to know that they are well cared for and so lovingly nurtured.
The facilities are not as good as we would like, but we are trusting God for the best
and believing that Bridgend Christian School will be an even better place to be!

www.bridgendchristianschool.co.uk
Bridgend Christian School
59-63 High Street
Laleston
Bridgend
CF36 3QA

Charity: 1101632 Company: 4869145