Teach, Nurture and Inspire

Throughout the Scriptures, Christian Education is a prominent theme. It is found in both the Old and New Testaments.

Throughout the Book of Deuteronomy and especially in chapters 4, 6 and 31, we repeatedly find the words of "teach," "taught" and "learn" as preparation for the people to go into the Promised Land. The prophets were continually instructing the people in the ways of God. In Nehemiah 8:7 we see Ezra the scribe reading the Book of the Law of God and making it clear so people could understand.

Psalm 119 :11 and 33 teaches us to hide the Word in our hearts and asks the Lord to teach us to follow his ways . In Proverbs we read of a father's instruction and the importance of wisdom.

Jesus taught the people the truth of God. In Acts 2:42 we read that the believers "continued in the apostle's teaching." The New Testament Letters are actually teaching documents intended to build up the churches.

For centuries the church has taken seriously the biblical injunction to teach, along with the responsibility of the believer to learn. For centuries the church was and has been the center of education.

The purpose of Christian Education at Eastminster Presbyterian Church is to bring people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, to train them in a life of discipleship and to equip them for Christian service in the world today. It is to develop in believers a biblical understanding that will assist them in making significant decisions from a Christian perspective.

How do we accomplish this? A successful Christian Education program provides a systematic study of the scripture that produces knowledge causing a change in attitude and actions. James 1:22 says “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” To be able to do what the Bible teaches we must know and understand what it says. Christian Education makes this possible.

Although several different educational programs are offered at Eastminster, the primary tool of Christian Education for Eastminster Presbyterian Church is the Sunday School.

Each of our Sunday School classes and educational programs is designed to educate the head with knowledge by providing a well-rounded, systematic study of scripture; to nurture the heart by bringing about, from this understanding of scripture, changes in attitudes that are more Christ-like; and to inspire through Bible study our hands into service in the name and love of Jesus Christ.

The mission of the Christian Education Committee of Eastminster Presbyterian Church is, as a family of faith, to provide a loving environment in which to: Teach all ages the Word of God; Nurture a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that will provide a firm foundation for daily living; and Inspire a response to the Holy Spirit to reach out to our community and world.

Additional Information