CHARACTER AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

First, we must know the difference between temperament and character. The
temperament is something innate, that is to say it depends on genetics, genes determine the
functioning of the nervous and endocrine system of a person. For example, there are those who
is at a higher alert level and tends towards anxiety, others have great capacity
to inhibit their responses and they are reflective, etc.

Character, unlike temperament, evolves over time: it develops.

modulating during childhood and strongly manifesting during adolescence. The
character may vary due to impacts and events that strongly mark us during
life. Character is defined as a component of personality that is acquired
through learning. Specifically, through life experiences, the
which modulate biological trends and predispositions inherent to temperament.
As it is a dimension of personality derived from social interaction,
we can say that character has a cultural origin, in such a way that it is defined by
context in which the person develops.
Finally, personality encompasses both dimensions, genetics (temperament) and
cultural (character), and is in constant change. Since it is very difficult (I would say impossible)
separating one dimension from another, it seems preferable to talk about personality when we
we refer to the behavior patterns of a person in which their...
emotions, cognition, and behavior.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Since the beginnings of civilization, education has played a dominant role in
the social construction. Societies have used education as a tool to
the transmission or advancement of culture, the teaching of behavioral patterns
acceptable, and the inculcation of knowledge, values, skills, and attitudes, through
of institutions that have been created for that purpose.

Christian education does not exclude these social intentions, but goes beyond them.
In general, Christian education is more linked to the comprehensive formation of the believer, to the
catechetical instruction and the spiritual growth of the human being, so that it
manifest a community faith that transforms society in turn. This is the
discipleship. Evangelical discipleship makes the student aware of the
love of God.
Building Character
I am going to paraphrase what Elena G. White does not say in her book Education, p. 226 'What
What is the trend in education that is occurring? What is generally the reason behind it?
complacency of the self. For all of us who are educators or those who think about doing so,
The goal should be to seek true education that counters ambition.
selfishness, the indifference towards the rights and needs of humanity that
they constitute the curse of our world” In some cases, unfortunately, since
the early years of a child's life stimulate rivalry and foster selfishness, but the
danger is not found only in methods; it is also observed in subjects
study, because what are the works in which the minds of young people are expressed?
during the formative years of your life? While studying

GOALS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Romans 12:2, part of the writing drafted by the apostle Paul himself, presents us with the
following pedagogical principles:
Christian life must be lived for God. An existence that honors God will
It is based on love, humility, and commitment to the common good; to its
sometimes, discard the worldly values that accentuate hate, arrogance and the
intolerance.
The intervention of the Spirit of God brings about changes in people.
way of being and thinking. Thus, transformation or metamorphosis is
more than just an external change. Rather, the apostle alludes to the change
the interior of the human being provoked by the encounter with God.
Both life for God and internal metamorphosis are the safest paths.
to know what God wants.
Eph. 4:12-13 reveals the goals of Christian education. The product
the ecclesial pedagogy must elicit the perfection of the saints for the
work of the ministry, the building up of the body of Christ, the unity of the faith and the
knowledge of the Son of God
PURPOSES OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
So, what should be the paths that education must take?
Christian, therefore, the Bible school? Which direction should we move towards?
What are the distinctive elements of Christian education and the Bible school?
that guide us in ecclesial growth? Thomas Groome suggests that education
religion (Christian) has three fundamental purposes:
EDUCATE TO AFFIRM THE VALUES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Both the person of Jesus and his teaching about the cardinal values of
the kingdom of heaven is a subject of study in Christian education. That is, they are its
content. But what does the kingdom of God mean?, what is its scope?, what
What implications does it have for the life of each believer?

The kingdom, central to the content of Jesus' preaching, symbolizes presence.

God's active role and His power over, within, and at the end of history. As a community symbol.
transforms the circumstances and brings a boldness of hope and possibility to the scene
for the downcast and weary heart. For Xavier León-Dufour, the Kingdom of God, with its
the advent proclaims the end of Satan's dominion and the powers of sin and
death over human beings.
A church that grows healthily teaches its congregants to embody the
values of the kingdom of God in every personal act and in every gesture of affirmation
community. This is what Ephesians asserts with the expression, 'to perfect the saints'.
for the work of the ministry.” This perfection finds authenticity in the imitation of
modeling of Jesus and in the universal confession of the church that declares him Lord and Christ.
EDUCATE TO NOURISH FAITH
Authentic Christian education promotes life in the Christian faith. To reach the
knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13) or knowing what God wants (Romans
12:2), it is learned, it is taught. What better scenario for the mystery to occur than the
spiritual growth of the church than the Bible school. The distinguishing elements of
those teachings germinate in a process of training. It produces belief, conviction.
and the understanding of the work of God. It illuminates and strengthens trust in God. The
the study of the Holy Scriptures nourishes the faith, strengthens it to such an extent that it gives us
the tools to confront the pseudo-religious teachings that denigrate and wound
the dignity of the human being. A well-nurtured faith embraces trust, which rests in the
God's faithfulness and in the grace of his saving power, illuminating the way to do
your will, the fullness of the kingdom among us.
EDUCATE TO LIVE FREEDOM
The Christian church has been instituted to live, model, educate, and promote the
freedom. This human quality becomes one of the essential purposes of
ecclesial pedagogical project. However, without a solid and comprehensive educational program, whose
aspiration is the rediscovery of the condition of freedom, the awareness of
to have been created in divine image and likeness. Such etymological consideration must
to lead the teaching of the church to recognize that the pedagogical processes sponsored
Through Christian education, educational scenarios must be fostered, where it is encouraged
that the participant employs their intellectual functions in order to perceive, experience and
revive the reality of freedom.
The discovery of the superior value of freedom is achieved through
learning experiences that inspire the student to value, feel, and yearn for the
full dimension of this human condition. In Christian education for freedom and
creative transformation, genuine pedagogical processes are designed and evaluated that
They inspire students to build utopias and to dream of a better one.
society and in turn become better followers of Jesus. That is,
to remain in Christ Jesus.
EDUCATE TO LIVE AND ENJOY THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL IN
COMMUNITY
As we have mentioned, a growing church celebrates life and enjoys the
joy of the Gospel in community. In the fourth Gospel, Jesus in an intimate prayer
to the Father, petition: For those you have given me, keep them in your name, so that they may be one,
just as we do (Jn 17:11). Hence the constant effort of Christian education
it strongly affirms the community aspect over personal development, emphasis on
secular education.

María Harris, in her classic Fashion me a people, points out

to the attention of the koinonia or the development of a curriculum that teaches how to live in
community as the starting point of the church's educational ministry. The educator
indicates that the church is called to testify consequently its common-unity and its
common-union. This community is a celebrating community, a community that is
accompanies and enjoys the joy of the Gospel, especially in the liturgy and in the
Eucharist.
EDUCATION WITHOUT CHRIST AND THE CHARACTER OF MAN
If education is lost in the school, the school becomes something dangerous for the
men and the peoples, because the cultured man, but without character, is much more
dangerous to himself and to others, that the uncultured man lacking character. This
The latter lacks character by default, while the former does so by conviction.
Whenever a king of Israel turned away from God, he also turned away from morality.
for just as the river is linked to its source and light to the sun, so too is life
morality is linked to faith. 'I am the way,' Christ said, 'I am the living water' and
"I am the light of the world." Taking Him away from this Path, where will we lead the children,
but to the abyss? How shall we quench their thirsty souls, if not with this Water
Live? Or with the water mixed with dirt that the cattle drink? With what the
we will illuminate, if not with this Light? With deceptive figurations?

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

We interpret education from Christian values, those are the lenses that guide us.
allow us to observe the world and interpret the reality we perceive. In this sense
we start from fundamental premises such as:
God is the source of all truth, intelligence, and knowledge.
But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and the
"To God belong wisdom and understanding." (Job 12:13 NTV)

The truths of how to educate can be found within the Bible.

The exposure of your words gives us light and brings understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Jesus is the teacher

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, for I am humble and gentle of heart.
heart, and you will find rest for your soul.” (Matthew 11:29 NTV)
Develop a culture of child honor.
"... Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God
belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive
the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." 16 then he took the
children in their arms and after putting their hands on their heads, they
"He blessed them." (Mark 10:14-16 NTV)

There are no stupid children.

On that occasion, Jesus said: "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
Why did you hide these things from the wise and intelligent, and reveal them to
to the children." (Matthew 11:25 NVB)
CONCLUSION
Today is a good day to start developing awareness of the radicality of
call of the biblical-theological testimony in favor of the advancement of pedagogical processes
more intentional, more responsive, and more consonant with God's purposes. That is,
the achievement of a Christian education that fully addresses the needs of the
students. A Christian education that opens furrows for conversion, for the
waking up, to return to oneself. A church that grows educates; and educates in the light of the
truth of a God who loves us and invites us to life in community, to joy, to love
and to hope.