Christian Education at Eastminster
The mission of the Christian Education programs at Eastminster Presbyterian Church is, as a family of faith, to provide a loving environment in which to Teach, Nurture and Inspire. Throughout the Scriptures, Christian Education is a prominent theme. It is found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Repeatedly in the Book of Deuteronomy we read the words teach, taught and learn. The prophets were continually instructing the people in the ways of God. 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 Presbyterian church has taken seriously the biblical injunction to teach, along with the responsibility of the believer to learn. For centuries the church 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. Another facet of this same purpose 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.
Several different styles of seasonal and on-going educational programs are offered at Eastminster each year. The primary weekly 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.