School closings and instruction of children in our community in the past has caused concern for some. It is again, “Back to School” time. The book of Proverbs is filled with the instructions given by Solomon to his sons. The son is exhorted to learn from this instruction, and the result of the application of the knowledge learned is called wisdom. The word “education” does not appear in the Bible, but Scripture does say a lot about the process of education, and it begins with the parent and child. The command to parents is to nurture their children in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4); the word means to educate, instruct, train and discipline. As children learn about God, they are given the opportunity to wisely honor their parents, and the basis of that honor is the ongoing process of education and the application of what is learned. Solomon tells us that the basis of all true knowledge is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). The word “fear” not only indicates the idea of terror, but also an awe and reverence for the holiness and majesty of God and a reluctance to disappoint or disobey Him. Jesus said that when we know the truth, the truth will make us free (John 8:32). Freedom from fear comes from being educated in “the truth.”

The old saying is, “We cannot use what we do not know.” This principle is especially true when it comes to biblical education. How do we educate ourselves in the biblical sense? We read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s word. The apostle Paul admonished Timothy to “Study to show thyself approved unto God” (II Timothy 2:15). Biblical education transforms us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).