EDUCATION FOUNDED ON THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Prof. Donella Pitzl has an International Professorship through Kayiwa International University and is an International Certified Master Life Coach. Prof. Donella’s doctorate work is in Biblical Counseling with an emphasis on Kingdom Character Building through United Graduate College and Seminary International. She has over 40 years of Christian education and ministry experience and has written several training materials and curriculum for children, youth, seminary students and ministry volunteers.

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Prof. Donella Pitzl

One of the goals of UGCSI is to make a Kingdom Education available for all leaders, pastors, ministers, laypersons, and life-coaches, anyone who has a desire to forward the Kingdom message across the globe.

When I was working on my doctorate I knew that Biblical Counseling was part of the answer to helping people, but I also had a sense that God's Kingdom character development was of equal, if not greater importance. Without an understanding of what it looks like to exemplify the character of a citizen of God's Kingdom, our efforts are futile. God's kingdom standards and principles are not religious rules but rather governmental regulations and policies set forth in the Bible by a loving and kind-hearted King, an expression of a true kingdom foundation and understanding. When we understand our Kingdom citizenship and the allegiance we are to have to our King, our attitudes and behavior - life culture - will reflect those convictions and understandings. A true representation of God's Kingdom is a product of a relationship with our King, Father God, and an understanding of His Kingdom constitution, the Bible.

Dr. Myles Munroe is, I believe, one of the strongest teachers of God's Kingdom for this day. He brings such a convincing and true to God's Word message of God's Kingdom. He was raised under the influence of an earthly kingdom, Great Britain in the Bahamas. He often addresses the fact that when you live under the rule of an earthly kingdom you don't have ownership of anything in that kingdom, but rather you are made a steward of the properties of that kingdom. The influence of that kingdom is everywhere you look and leaves it's imprint behind even when it is gone. This has been one of the concepts that most impacted my theology. Being raised in the church in America, and America being a republic with a democratic system, I realized how much my life is centered on ownership. Even when I was in ministry it was a "my ministry" mentality that was promoted. This does not work and has no place in God's Kingdom understanding. We were created to represent the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, to be true Kingdom citizens operating in the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. As the Lord's Prayer says, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" (KJV, Matthew 6.10). That is our job as Kingdom citizens. 

The word "repent" means in essence to change your mind, to turn from going one direction and move in another direction. God is in the process of changing the minds of many of His children, joint heirs created in His likeness, those that are ready and willing to hear and comply. We are in a day and time when the message of the Kingdom is resonating from Heaven. This message offers hope in a time when hopelessness covers much of the world. The Word says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (KJV, Matthew 24.14).

United Graduate College and Seminary International is working to spread the message of God's Kingdom. What mankind is longing for is a return to what we were originally created for. No religion, occupation, earthly relationship, nothing can fill and satisfy the emptiness that occurred when man lost God's Kingdom calling and gave their authority over to satan. The King of Heaven, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, our Father God is busy calling His much loved creation to return to their original intent - To be joint heirs ruling and reigning with God’s Holy Spirit on earth as it is in Heaven.

A UGCSI student in Mozambique, Africa gave us some comments regarding his education with this organization. He said, "I thank you so much for this powerful foundational training. Personally, I gained a lot . . . You also confirmed that everything is indeed doable provided we have passion enough and profound dependence on God, our heavenly Father." This man is one among many international students that are benefiting from a Kingdom-centered international education.

I hope many will pursue a Kingdom education that will return us to God's original intent, having a Kingdom relationship with the King of the Ages and operating in dominion on the earth.

Prof. Donella Pitzl

UGCSI - A NEW EDUCATION

Ivan Chihale

Ivan Chihale is the Chairman of UGCSI Chancellor's Advisory Council. Ivan lives is Mozambique, Africa and is a graduate of United Graduate College and Seminary International. 
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     First of all I would like to thank God for the opportunity that He has given me to cooperate with this worldwide visionary institution, which was also feasible through the connection that I have with Dr. Hermenegildo Cuamba, my great friend and mentor, who invited and introduced me to this institution.

     Cooperating with UGCSI is both great and intriguing, since it was the first foreign education institution that I have worked with. It has been a big challenge to adjust to the kind of education that the school offers. I am used to working as a teacher, but the difference is that with other institutions we would just teach and convey education, whilst at UGCSI one has to teach to transform, teach to inspire, teach to motivate, teach by leading and exemplifying and furthermore, teach to produce thinkers and producers of knowledge. Being an instructor at UGCSI, for me, has meant to prepare the students to impact and live together in a changing world, where things and people move quickly, knowledge is renewed daily, and distances shorten rapidly.

     It is a great adventurous challenge especially when we consider that today’s education is undergoing change at an unprecedented rate. Today’s students need new skills, taught in new ways. Teachers need to develop new material and deliver it differently. And at the end of the day I realize that I help many students in shaping, bursting their knowledge and talents, and inspiring them to be thinkers, as we have had many testimonies in this process. Henceforth, what remains is to continue to learn and grow, and help as many as we can, and as it was said: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (KJV, 2 Timothy 2.2).

Ivan Dumace Chihale, MA

Maputo, Mozambique

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Dr. Robert Brayton

Dr. Robert Brayton is a Doctor of Christian Counseling through United Graduate College and Seminary.

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The Kingdom of God is all that encompasses who God is. God is sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and the Ruler over all of His creation. A kingdom is a place where a king rules and reigns over the lives of his subjects. The Kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal sovereign God over all creatures and things (NKJV, Psalm 103.19).

            The Kingdom of God is not visible because God is not visible. It is a spiritual Kingdom, not a visible one. Jesus Christ said, “The Kingdom of God is within you”(NKJV, Luke 17.21). The Kingdom of God embraces all created intelligence, both in Heaven and Earth that is willingly subject to the Lord and is in fellowship with Him. The Kingdom of God is, therefore, universal in that it includes created angels and man. It is eternal, as God is eternal, and it is spiritually found within all born again believers.

            The Kingdom of God is also the designation for the sphere of salvation entered into at the new birth (NKJV, John 3.5-7) and is synonymous with the Kingdom of Heaven. God’s Kingdom is filled with love because God is the essence of love, and He is loving. He is also a righteous judge, totally fair and just. These qualities are so great, and He loves us so much that Jesus died on the cross to take our place and pay the penalty for our sins. Now we are justified, sanctified and made righteous in His sight. We enter the Kingdom of God when we are born again, and we are then part of that Kingdom for eternity. It is a relationship “born of the spirit” (NKJV, John 3.5), and we have confident assurance that it is so because the Spirit bears witness with our spirits (NKJV, Romans 8.16). That is why Jesus gave us, in the Lord’s Prayer, a petition to God: “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (NKJV, Matthew 6.10). This prayer shows the priority Jesus gave to the Kingdom of God.

            When the will of God is as respected here on Earth as it is in Heaven and when the visible world totally reflects the invisible world, then we will witness the Kingdom of God fully come to the Earth. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (NKJV). So, when man imitates and acts like God would here on the earth – as Jesus did and then died to bring us back to our original place of dominion on Earth (see Genesis 1:26) – then the Kingdom of God will be here on the earth. Everything is subject to God’s power, instantly and without question.

            Right now in the visible world there is a resistance to God’s will. However, the resistance to God’s will is in the process of change because wherever there are those who honor Jesus Christ, the King, and wherever the Spirit of the King is, there is the Kingdom of God. For it says in Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (NKJV). This is why God, in His great love for His children, is pouring out His Spirit over the earth, to bring about His Kingdom here on the earth. We will see more of His Kingdom on the earth than ever before.

THE THEOLOGY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Christine Lan

Christine Lan understands her role as an ambassador in God’s Kingdom. In her writing, she clearly communicates the Kingdom message and God’s original design for man. A proud graduate of United Graduate College and Seminary, she strongly supports education that inculcates a divine mind that transforms the world we live in.

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Last Friday, I attended a Christian concert/worship roadshow performed by a number of prominent artistes such as Mercy Me and Jeremy Camp. Bart Millard of Mercy Me spoke a very convincing message and I was thrilled that he was disseminating the message of righteousness through his sharing. He mentioned that he grew up in the Baptist church where as a youth leader, he would bash the people who attended church and when they left worse off than before, he and the church leaders would “high-five” one another and thought they had done a great service to Christendom. God’s revelatory grace through a renewed mind caused his songs and messages to point people to His love, righteousness and worth in Him.

“The cross is not the revealing of sin but the unveiling of your worth,” someone wrote anonymously on the first page of a prayer journal at a University chapel. I just had spent sometime playing on the chapel piano and was about to leave when the Holy Spirit spoke to me to write something on the journal, too. So, I wrote this,

“Father, I thank you that I can come boldly before the throne of grace. I am righteous

because you have redeemed me from the curse of the law. Thank you that once I have   embraced you as my Creator and Almighty Father, God and King, I am no longer a sinner but your son/daughter whom you are well-pleased. Amen.”

Throughout church history, men and women of God had to fight the supposed sacred truths upheld by the church of the day. Martin Luther through the revelation of the Holy Spirit opposed the holy church rites and propagandized the Scriptural Truth of Romans 1:17 which says, ‘For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”’ (NIV).

Righteousness is the foundational theology or doctrine of God’s Kingdom. Simply stated, righteousness is synonymous with justification which most people understand is “just as if you have never sinned.”

Righteousness Consciousness

According to Funk & Wagnall’s New Standard Dictionary of the English Language, righteousness means “conformity to law or to right and justice; the state of acceptance and of harmony with God; specifically, the state of being justified and blessed because of the atonement of Christ and the faith that renders it available and effectual” or “the active and passive obedience of Christ regarded as the ground of the sinner’s justification.” The Greek word for “righteousness” is dikaiosune which means “equity (of character or act), specifically, justification, usually translated “righteousness” (Strong 1343).

In his book, The Two Kinds of Life, E. W. Kenyon noted that when Luther had limited revelation of one truth, justification by faith, he brought civilization to Germany. There was no “clear conception of a New Birth, of righteousness, of God as a Father, or of our place as sons and daughters of God.” (Kenyon 31). The church has been guilty of disseminating a gospel that is a blend of human philosophies and religions passed down from the Middle Ages. Galatians 4:4-7 specifically emphasizes our identity as God’s sons, ‘But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’ (NKJV).

Noah and Abraham (the Father of Faith), were reckoned as righteous by God. They led morally virtuous lives powered from the realm of Heaven and were chosen by God to fulfill specific purposes. Noah helped save the remnant humankind from extinction. Abraham was reckoned righteous as he believed God and was made righteous by faith. “He believed the promise regarding the Heir (Christ) who was to come out of his bowels via Isaac who was as yet unborn; he believed that through this Heir, his (spiritual) seed would be in number like the stars of heaven” (Lenski 289).

When a person is born of the Spirit of God from above or Heaven, he is a new creation. He has the indwelt Holy Spirit of God and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues empowers him to walk in His will as God’s son. Jesus, the Perfect God-Man is sinless and spotless but He became sin on our behalf “that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (NKJV, 2 Corinthians 5.21). There is a powerful exchange transacted at calvary. Observing a set of rules to do good is subjecting one to the bondage of legalism and works mentality. Jesus has already fulfilled the law. There is no necessity to sacrifice animals, burn candles and incense to make one righteous. Paul says it aptly, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (NKJV, Romans 6.14).

If you know your identity as righteous sons of God in His Kingdom, you will fulfill God’s purpose on Earth. You will proclaim His Name unashamedly everywhere you go. You know you bear God’s image and represent Him boldly. Righteousness, peace and joy, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will invariably be evident in your life. You will walk with integrity and purity before all man. You will display His glory as shining examples of supernatural creative kings, priests and sons.

“Works Cited”

Funk, Isaac K. Funk & Wagnall’s New Standard Dictionary of the English Language. New York:

       Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1952.

Kenyon, E. W. The Two Kinds of Life. Lynwood, Washington: Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society,

      2002.

Lenski, R. C. H. Interpretation of Romans. Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ausburg Publishing House,

      1936.

Maxwell, John C., Elmore, Tim. The Maxwell Leadership Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas

      Nelson, Inc., 2007.

Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. McLean, Virginia: MacDonald Publishing

      Company, n.d.

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP?

Gebru Abraha was born in 1968 in the northern part of Ethiopia, in the town of Axum. He is a graduate of Addis Ababa University where he earned a BSc degree in Chemistry. Mr. Abraha then worked as a secondary school teacher for several years. Some years ago he left teaching and took a leadership task and is now working in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia as government employee. Three years ago Mr. Abraha earned a Masters degree in Christian Leadership from United Graduate College and Seminary International.

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Even though leadership as a field of study has evolved recently, we find quite a lot of definitions of the term leadership in literature. Plainly these descriptions are more or less similar in connotation or spirit.  

Leadership is a process of influencing a group of people to accomplish a certain task. Leadership shows the direction towards the attainment of pre-destined goals. By its very nature leadership is influencing the behavior of others while fully respecting the liberty and dignity for each individual. This is so because individuality is sacred.

When it comes to effective leadership, it is the ability of moving a group of people or a society towards a vision by changing the way of thinking of the people about the future possibility. Effective leadership begins with having internally the compassion or love of the human kind. Love and concern are the most fundamental or imperative elements of effective leadership. Without love or compassion effective leadership is unthinkable. Thus the sole and everlasting foundation of effective leadership is Love of those we lead. Without love neither the physical nor the spiritual powers will develop.

There are also other issues that add value to leadership effectiveness. Characters such as enthusiasm, credibility, honesty, staying power, vision and courage do have contribution to effective leadership. Leadership success starts with creating vision. For a leader to be a direction indicator, he has to have a clear vision. Therefore a true leader is visionary. Honesty is also an integral component of a true leader because it invites others to follow your path. Courage is also important to utilize fully one’s own potential. An individual realizes his full potential in the absence of fear of making mistakes and fear of risk.  Thus effective leaders are not susceptible to criticism and admit their mistakes. This makes an effective leader always a learner.

Since effective leadership is all about stimulating people, it shows others that anything is possible. Effective leadership is capable of showing its followers a distant image of good health, prosperity, and a bright future soon to be reached.

The principle ‘‘lead by doing’’ is also another fundamental aspect of effective leadership. True leaders do not give command, nevertheless they lead by doing and this invites followers to shoulder their responsibility and others to come along and join the group.

In all levels of human relations, leaderships prevail. There is leadership in a family circle at a small scale. And leadership at larger scales are group or team leadership, organizational leadership, religious leadership, leadership at society level, etc. They all in common require the skill of leadership, even though the deal differs. Many of the leaderships in family circles are effective. The secret of leadership effectiveness at the household level is love and concern of leaders (parents) for their family members.

Leadership determines the success of an organization. An organization is exactly the mirror image of the leader. This means that a group, a team or an organization takes on the personality of its leader. That is why it is said that ‘‘the pace of a team is the pace of a leader’’.

Leaders are few and followers are many. Unfortunately we humans are followers. So we need someone to show us the way forward to reach our destinations. In periods when there is no leadership society stands still. Good leadership encourages people to go forward and that is why we say good leadership is the fuel of progress. This makes developing leaders of future times (legacy) an essential part of wise leadership.

                                                Let God be with all of us!!

A NEW GENERATION LEADERSHIP - HOW TO LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION

Currently, Dr. Daniel Munsami is the Senior Pastor of New Life Ministries, South Africa and two other churches in Richards Bay, South Africa. In the International arena he gives oversight as the President of New Life Ministries International Network to six churches in Swaziland and seven in India, with 21 Pastors and Evangelists just in India. Dr. Munsami studied at the University of Pretoria for Advanced Leadership. In April 2009 he received an Honorary Doctorate from United Graduate College & Seminary International. Dr. Munsami has a passion to impact individuals and develop leaders. He travels extensively to countries such as Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, USA, Mexico, Canada, Mauritius and India. Dr. Munsami has been married to Shirley Munsami for 25 years and has two sons: Eugene 21 and Shaun 17.

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As we look back into the corridors of time and catch a glimpse of some of the major changes that have taken place within our globe, one can only stand in awe of where we are right now. Whatever the area of focus may be; be it politics, economy, religion, technology, mode of transport or anything that affects mankind; there certainly have been great strides of advancements. In all this, effective leadership becomes the key to success. Poor leadership is the greatest contributor to the collapse of many countries and organizations. It is in this respect that I would like to share some thoughts that will assist current and emerging leaders to lead the next generation effectively.

Currently there is a sense of leadership crisis throughout the world and this is not the case only in the cooperate world but also within the church circle. Even though various mechanisms such as gender equality, seminars, conferences, social media and various other means are used as tools to develop leaders, we are still far from where we ought to be in proportion to the advancement of the entire world. In my opinion this has much to do with easy access to readily available material which does not demand much effort. The internet has become the primary source of information and many of the 21^st century leaders are totally dependent on it. Whenever there is a need for information or a question to be answered, the world at large turns to the internet. It is quick, easy and no real effort required. This could be a great tool for a follower who is constantly guided or following someone else’s thought pattern and achievements. They seldom think for themselves, or even create new ideas.  This prevents such people from developing the champion or the hero that is within them. Untapped potential of great leaders and path creators lay dormant within such people.  The very same method is used within the church circle whereby the internet becomes the primary source instead of the Bible and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Many leaders and Pastors are so program driven that time is never enough. Waiting upon the Lord for new and fresh ideas and thoughts becomes virtually impossible. The internet has made leadership sound so simple that with a click of a button on the computer, information on anything or any subject can be made available. This information that has been uploaded by some people that have made the sacrifice and also could have paid the price as a leader. Yet those who just depend only on such information will remain followers and never aspire to become effective leaders. I am not advocating that leaders should not research or even read the material of other leaders but if that is all that one does to develop him or herself, then they will always remain as followers rather than becoming effective leaders. God has given each of us a measure of ability to think and create. In order to become a new generation leader and lead the next generation effectively, consider the following:

1.     LEAD WITH THE FEAR OF GOD

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom: This fear comes by learning and understanding through the Bible who God really is. As we constantly read the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives, we will soon learn about His grace, mercy, His requirements and also how He deals with sin and rebellion. A leader who knows and understands the heart of God will lead the people of God accordingly. There will be difficulties and challenges and there will be times when leaders themselves will be tempted under pressure to disobey God’s word and apply worldly systems to achieve results. This could be detrimental, not only to the leader but also the people who he leads. In the past and to this day the cost of rebellion, sin and disobedience is great and the God that we serve never changes. His ways of love, grace, mercy and punishment never change. It is for that reason that leaders must lead with the fear of God and in so doing they transfer that spirit and energy to the people they lead.    

2.     LEAD WITH THE WISDOM OF GOD

There is a distinct difference between intelligence and wisdom. Leaders might possess the intellect to plan, to build, and accumulate but if they don’t have the wisdom to use and maintain that which they have, it will all be in vain. Having the wisdom of God enables one to walk in the will of God and he will also understand and know the thoughts and plans of God. Leaders that possess the wisdom of God lead in an extraordinary manner.  The natural and carnal man will not understand or even comprehend that which will be accomplished by the one that has the wisdom of God. Leaders will constantly be faced with challenges and also be required to resolve conflicts, therefore in order to achieve the best result or outcome, the wisdom of God must prevail.

3.     LEAD WITH INTERGRITY

There is a vast difference between character and integrity of a person. Character is what everyone sees and this sometimes could be very misleading but integrity is what happens in secret, which does not go unseen by God. I am amazed by the uprightness of Daniel’s integrity when faced with challenges and yet the governors found no fault or error in him.

4.     LEAD WITH A PASSION

Passion is a fuel that drives a leader from an ordinary to extraordinary person. It is also an energy that refuses to be obstructed by challenges and circumstances. A person with a deep passion to lead will never sleep until dreams are transformed to reality. They are leaders that will look beyond the now and call into being that which is not as though they are. It will be in their nature to turn every obstacle into opportunities and every negative into positive.

BIBLICAL EDUCATION

Ivan Chihale is the Chairman of UGCSI Chancellor's Advisory Council. Ivan lives is Mozambique, Africa and is a graduate of United Graduate College and Seminary International. 

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Introduction

Education is undoubtedly a priority in any society. One of the main roles assigned to education is to give humanity the ability to promote their own development. When one hears the word ‘education’ today, probably most common thoughts that come to mind have to do with school buildings, hired teachers, text books and tests.  While these are certainly key components of modern education, such was not always the case. In colonial days for example, education was more commonly understood to mean: having possession of truth; mental and moral development to prepare one for their station in life; mastery of ability to speak, read, and write, and well grounded in religious belief. Webster argues education as:

·      The bringing up as a child; instruction, formation, manners;

·      Comprehension of all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations;

·      To give to children a good education in manners, arts, and science is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable.

Education is generally seen as the foundation of society which brings economic wealth, social prosperity, political stability, ripeness and growth and both spiritual and physical embodiment. One of the education essential tasks is to enable people to understand themselves. Education has a vital role to play in assisting students to understand their identity.

1.     What is Biblical Education?

Agreeing with Timmy Tezeno, it is a constant diligent search of what God has to say on every subject. It is the heart beat of God. Biblical education is a heavenly education that changes lives forever. It converts prostitutes to women of virtue; pimps to men of honor. It sobers up drunkards; delivers drug addicts from addictions; heals broken hearts and mends marriages. It is the only education that produces victorious living. The Bible says, “But be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (KJV, Romans 12.2). According to this verse I understand biblical education as a mind transformation process, character building, spirit embodiment and growth, Holy Spirit guidance and dependence, and a production of knowledge and followers.

2.     Purposes Of Biblical Education

·      To know who God is. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my strength, my buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (KJV, Psalm 18.2);

·      To know man’s need of being restored to a right relationship with God. “...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (KJV, John 3.3);

·      To know the blessings of God achieved through living in agreement with His Word (KJV, Deuteronomy 28);

·      To know the history of God in His providential dealings with mankind (individuals and nations). “...And hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation” (KJV, Acts 17.26);

·      To master academic disciplines necessary for serving God and their fellow man.  Included in these disciplines are: language, arts, natural sciences, social sciences, geography, government, economics, astronomy, biology, medicine, etc. “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” (KJV, 1 Chronicles 12.32);

·      To develop a Biblical worldview such that all learning is framed and understood in a manner consistent with a Scriptural view of life.  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (KJV, 2 Timothy 3.16);

·      To restore the truth of mankind’s identity and goal. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Then God blessed them, and God said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (KJV, Genesis 1.26, 28).

3.     Importance of Biblical Education

While secular education is certainly important being educated biblically is far more important because biblical principles teach us how to properly relate to God as well as to our fellowman (KJV, Matthew 22:37-40; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 30:6).  I believe that Biblical education begins in the home (KJV, Ephesians 6:4; Genesis 18:18-19; Deuteronomy 6; 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-15). The teaching of spiritual and moral values to children is the backbone of any nation and provides nations with moral stability. King Solomon stated “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (KJV, Proverbs 22.6), thus biblical education is important because it is the right information which produces righteous thoughts, that produces right actions, which brings about the right kind of harvest. One of the goals of biblical education is to restore the truth of mankind’s identity, because man was created in the image and likeness of God - In order that he could objectively see the glory of God in all things of creation - That man might subjectively glorify God in whatever he does in thought, word, and deed.  (KJV, Revelation 4:11). Furthermore it is also important because it is the only kind of education which is designed with relevance and practicality, enabling and stimulating a practical learning process, for producing thinkers which aim to produce knowledge and followers.

Obtaining a Biblical education is obtaining the mind of God. Our mind is limited, but God's mind is unlimited. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite” (KJV, Psalms 147.5). God wants us to use His wisdom and His knowledge because it is so vast.  We must know how He thinks so that we can align our thinking accordingly. We must learn His ways so that we can walk in agreement with Him and therefore walk in His favor, having the blessing on our lives. Biblical education is the all around successful life which is embodied in the fear of the Lord, for the Bible says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (ESV, Proverbs 9.10). Without it, life is unfruitful, empty, and void. We must endlessly continue to receive biblical training, because the more training we receive and apply, the more we become like Him. Biblical education is an awesome thing, it has no ending. The knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God are infinite.

Conclusion
Education begins with the reality of God’s existence and the fact that He has communicated to us through creation, His Word, and His Son. As we learn more of God’s creation, our understanding of God’s wisdom and power deepens. As we study God’s Word, we become more equipped for God’s work (KJV, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we grow in our knowledge of God’s Son (KJV, 2 Peter 3:18), our love for Him increases and our service for Him intensifies. “Education is useless without the Bible" (Noah Webster). 

Works Cited

Webster, Noah. American Dictionary of the English Language (ADEL). 1828.

Tezeno, T. (2012). The Importance of Biblical Education. Oval Bible College. 2012: 34. Print.

Building Hope In The Next Generation - Kingdom Character

Prof. Donella Pitzl has an International Professorship through Kayiwa International University and is an International Certified Master Life Coach. Prof. Donella’s doctorate work is in Biblical Counseling with an emphasis on Kingdom Character Building through United Graduate College and Seminary International. She has over 40 years of Christian education and ministry experience and has written several training materials and curriculum for children, youth, seminary students and ministry volunteers.

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Our future is held in the lives of our youth and our children. It is embodied in their training, mindsets, hopes and desires. Every generation faces challenges and needs encouragement to become all that God has created them to be. Good biblical principles built into the understanding of our young will allow them the ability to tap into the life God has to give them.

From Psalm 119, I have captured and paraphrased “22 Principles for Life”. When God’s Truth is applied to daily living with a practical application, it will bring hope by creating a lasting foundation. The way one looks at life will shape that life. What is understood about God - His love and care - will help one live in wholeness fulfilling God’s intentions for each generation on the Earth giving them a future and a hope.

The 22 Principles of Life – From Psalm 119

1. I am blessed when I live according to God’s principles; I will not suffer shame – Ps. 119:1, 6
2. The Lord keeps my heart pure when I live according to His Word and seek Him with all my heart – Ps. 119:9-11
3. My eyes are kept open that I can continue to see the path; God’s principles are my counselor – Ps. 119:18,24
4. Even when my heart is tired and sad,  I am strengthened by His principles; on this path I find freedom – Ps. 119:28, 32
5. I know I can ask the Lord to direct my thoughts and to keep my eyes on Him; His ways preserve my life in righteousness – Ps. 199:33, 35, 40
6. My hope in God brings freedom and puts strength in my words – Ps. 119:45, 46
7. I find comfort in hard times because I know God promises to keep me because I keep His principles – Ps. 119:50,56
8. I know if I turn my face towards God and stay diligent, I will find strength – Ps. 119:59, 61
9. I am thankful for hard times because they help me learn about God – Ps. 119:71
10. God made me and I can trust Him to teach me; I can trust His love to comfort me – Ps. 119:73,76
11. I know I can trust God’s commands  even in the face of hardship – Ps. 119:86
12. I realize although there is nothing perfect in life, I am unlimited as God’s principles are without limits – Ps. 119:96
13. I believe God’s principles rather than my enemies make me wiser – Ps. 119:98
14. I know God directs my path and even if others would try and trap me, I will happily stay on God’s path for my future – Ps. 119:105,110,111
15. I will stay singularly focused on God’s principles because they keep me and bring me life – Ps. 119:113,116
16. Loving and knowing God’s principles helps me hate every wrong path – Ps. 119:127,128
17. I realize God always shows mercy to those that love His name and He will not let any sin rule over me – Ps. 119:132,133
18. I can live because I trust in God’s principles which are true  – Ps. 119:138,144
19. I understand God has established His words to last forever and if I stay focused on them, I do not have to be afraid – Ps. 119:148,149,152
20. I believe God defends me and saves my life because of His compassion – Ps. 119:154,156
21. I see it is good to praise God and be thankful because He keeps me, knows all about me and gives me peace – Ps. 119:165,168
22.  If I stray off the right path and yet not forget His principles, God will find me. Lord let me live that I might praise You – Ps. 119:175,176

Note: All Scripture verses are paraphrased from the New International Version of the Bible.
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Active engagement is important. If the young people of today were to engage in the following activities, God would bring hope to the areas in life that are troubling and create a strong foundation in God for success in life.

• Write a statement about how you see yourself.
• Identify your area(s) of distress or hopelessness. Apply at least one of the 22 Principles of Life and on a daily basis declare it loudly over yourself.
• Identify an area where you can act upon daily to put your thinking on a right path.
• If you do not believe in God, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (NIV, Luke 11.9) You must ask for help from God.

Applying the Truth from God’s Word to the belief system of a young life will form that life to walk in God’s Kingdom with stability and bring change to their world and reality. Scripture confirms we can experience life – as in Heaven, so on Earth when we see through God’s eyes and believe His Word.