Back to School, Back to Worship

As the summer fades (despite lingering heat!), a new school year has begun across campuses nationwide. Educators are busy welcoming new students and navigating the first hectic weeks of school—meeting with colleagues, distributing syllabi, outlining outcomes, previewing assignments, setting conduct expectations, guiding confused students, and much more.

Yet amid these tasks, there looms a significant challenge: many young people today question the value of education. Why learn to gather information when Google can provide answers in seconds? Why develop critical thinking and reasoning skills when AI tools like ChatGPT can generate responses effortlessly?

In these moments of doubt, it’s crucial to remember that education—teaching and learning—is fundamentally an act of worship. Rooted in the biblical tradition, education is not merely about acquiring knowledge for career advancement or personal branding. It’s a transformational process ordained by God, designed to shape us into His likeness.

Biblical Foundations of Education as Worship

Throughout the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), God commands Moses to teach His people to obey His laws, making obedience the original learning outcome. This foundational concept evolved into a structured educational system among the Jewish people, leading to a child’s bar or bat mitzvah—a rite of passage that requires reading and interpreting Hebrew scripture.

Christianity built upon this framework, viewing education as a means of personal transformation into the image of Christ. Learning is more than acquiring information; it involves a personal encounter with the Truth, embodied in Jesus Christ. This encounter requires humility, as we acknowledge (confess) the reality of God’s truth, rather than assuming knowledge lies dormant within us, waiting to be drawn out.

In Christian theology, education is seen as oikodomeo—building up—rather than a self-help endeavor. The goal is to be edified, growing in knowledge and wisdom to glorify God.

Reconnecting Students with the Purpose of Learning

To re-engage students with education as God intends, we must emphasize that learning is an intrinsic part of our identity as beings created in God’s image. It is through the process of teaching and learning that we are sanctified, aligning our minds and hearts with God’s will.

Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” This reverence, cultivated in worship, instills the humility and wonder necessary for true learning. Scottish theologian T.F. Torrance noted that humility and wonder open us to new truths and deeper understanding, which are essential for transformative learning.

Worship also teaches us that understanding and wisdom require repentance, reconciliation, and renewal. As we encounter the majesty of God, we are called to renew our minds (Romans 12:2), allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions.

The Role of Community in Education and Worship

Torrance also emphasized that transformative learning is dialogical—it happens in community. Whether in traditional classrooms or online settings, learning is enhanced through dialogue, where each person helps the other to understand God’s truth. This mirrors the call-and-response pattern of worship, where we respond to God’s invitation to engage with Him and with one another.

The Ultimate Goal: Glorifying God Through Learning

The ultimate purpose of education, like worship, is to glorify God. As Karl Barth stated, “All theology ends in doxology.” This principle applies to all fields of study—science, history, philosophy, and beyond. When we pursue knowledge with the intention of glorifying God, we fulfill our purpose and experience true flourishing.

Wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, extols the value of wisdom, which is described as the “skill of living”—practical knowledge that helps us navigate life’s challenges and honor God in all we do. Those who walk in wisdom not only glorify God but also bless their communities.

Guiding the Next Generation of Worship Leaders

As educators, especially those in Christian institutions, we have a unique opportunity to guide students in understanding the deeper purpose of their studies. By framing education as an act of worship, we can help them see the value in their learning beyond grades and degrees. We must cultivate humility, honesty, and awe, pointing students to the Triune God as the source of all wisdom.

For those seeking support in this mission, the Worship Educators Association (WEA) offers a valuable community. The WEA connects educators committed to developing transformational learning that prepares students to lead in worship and live out their faith with integrity and wisdom. Learn more at www.worshipeducators.org.

A Prayer for Educators and Students

Almighty God, by your gift alone we come to wisdom and true understanding: Look with favor, we pray, on our universities, colleges, and schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and wholesome learning flourish and abound. Bless those who teach and those who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look to you, the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 2019)

May these insights inspire us to approach education as an act of worship, fulfilling our call to glorify God in all we do.