Introduction

In this paper, the presenter would like to discuss on the topic: The Use of the Bible in
Christian Education under the subject of Christian education in church ministry. The Christian
education is a religious education which, the teaching method were basing on the Bible. Through
this paper, the presenter will bring the important, used, and the strategies of using Bible in
Christian Education, it will deal from the early Christian to till the 21st generation.
1. Christian Education
According to Akheto Sema, the Christian Education is a religious education which
provided by the or Christian leader or Christian religious teacher which the process of teaching
and learning process take place concerning Christian faith and beliefs in the live of individuals,
Church, and Family as a whole.1 Simply means Christian education is an intentional and
systematic teaching ministry in church in order to transform the human basing from the Biblical
content.
According Limatula Longkamar, “Christian Education is a process of transmitting
Christian tradition, instruction and nurturing the people in faith to become mature Christian, to
learn skills thereby to reflect and out their faith in the world.”2 Christian education is
2. Use of Bible in Christian Education
The Bible is full and final authority and the final revelations of God’s will and his
purpose for entire human race. Therefore, The Bible is the main source of teaching for Christian
Education. The Bible functions as the primary source and set the standards and provide the basic
things for all the Christian education.3 There are many Christian family wanted to teach the Bible
to their children’s. Teaching the Bible knowledge to children in the right moment is more
important. Sunday school is the only place where biblical teaching is to be carry out properly for
the children.4 The Bible is Very authoritative guide for Christian education if the learners want to
live as a responsible Christian. The Bible becomes a important for the learners to act according to

1
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education (Delhi: ISPCK,
2011), 1.
2
Limatula Longkamar, Christian Education for Transformation: Foundations, Approaches and Effective
Teaching (Kolkata: ESPACE, 2022), 3.
3
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education…, 142.
4
Limatula Longkamar, Christian Education for Transformation: Foundations, Approaches and Effective
Teaching…, 173.
Biblical principles, and the Biblical principles is very important in teaching-learning process in
Christian education. 5
3. The objective of Christian Education from Bible
3.1. To give the learner a working Bible knowledge as divine revelation and to give
an understanding of Christian Doctrine.
3.2. The Bible knowledge give to the learner a full commitment and loyalty to the
Christian belief and faith.
3.3. To understand the learner from Christian World-view.
3.4. The Bible gives as a guide the learner in the development of Christian Character.
3.5. The Bible gives an opportunity to growth in spirituality and also give the learners
derive from Bible studies the principles of critical thinking, the students will be able
to evaluate concepts and discriminate between truth and wrong.
4. The Literal Approach to the Bible
The Bible is an essential source for the understanding of Christian distinctive in
Education. The Christian education has literal approach with the Bible. This approach deal with
the Bible in terms of grasping the book as a whole, getting acquainted with Biblical backgrounds
such as cultural, ethos of people, their context, historical views, character, and structures and the
form of the Bible or Book.6 All those things engage studying the text, it’s thought and ideas,
analyzing the text and knowing the meaning of the word etc. Literal Approach to the Bible in
Christian Education is to enable student to secure the Bible knowledge and comprehend it. It
encourage the student to read the Bible and study the original form and setting of the Bible.7
5. Functional Approach to the Bible
This approach took Bible with the purpose and relating the context of the text, massage to
the life activity, effecting the life and the society in which one exists. In Christian educating
teaching about any topic which from doctrinal point of view is not enough, any kind of topic has
to relate to lives of the learners in terms of develop their relationship with God and personal
acceptance of Jesus as the savior of the life. There are many important in the learners lives,
Church, Christian home, Christian character are also important of the learners. The Bible help the
learner to aware of the presence of God in their life. So, the Bible help the learner to deepen their
5
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education…, 142.
6
Helen I.A. Oyekanmi, “Biblical Principles of Integrated Learning” Principles and Dynamic of Integrated
Christian Teaching and Learning, Ed. Samuel Peni Ango (Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 2011), 45.
7
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education…, 143.
communion with Christ and His church through their active participation in faith community. It
enable the learners to know the important of Christian Home, church etc.8
6. Biblical Hermeneutics Approach
Hermeneutic is a Systematic process which can help the learners to understand the text of
the Bible and relate the essential context or situation. The Biblical Hermeneutics help the student
to make the teaching of the Bible relevant for current situation and needs.9 The Christian
education should based on the Biblical truth to the live and life situation of the learner.
7. Spiritual Transformation
The spiritual transformation also taught in Christian education, this definition is with a
focus being “formed” and “transformed”. The spiritual transformation is also one of the primary
task in Christian Education. The Bible provides many examples of the spiritual life. The Bible is
useful for teaching, reproof, correction and for training in the righteousness, therefore the Bible
in Christian education is an essential tool for living the Holy life for a Christian. The teaching of
Bible in Christian Education that bring change to the people hearts.10
8.
9.

8
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education…, 144.
9
Akheto Sema, Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Christian Religious Education…, 144.
10
Moses Boosa, Holistic Christian Education towards Transforming Indian
Congregations (New Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2019), 43-44.