Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 16—Assignment

• Lesson 8
  • The Principle Approach—Education for the 21^st Century
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • None
• Assignments:  Complete 5^th, 6^th, 7^th & 8^throws of Chart on “The Teacher”; “The Student”, “Curriculum” and “The Methods”.

Lesson 8—The Principle Approach—Education for the 21^st Century

I love this lesson because it brings together, in one place, all the loose ends concerning what The Principle Approach means as a comprehensive education.  I believe these guidelines are so valuable to review periodically to see where you’re at and where you would like to focus.  Of course, these are just guidelines; for our ultimate guidance comes from the Lord and His direction in our lives.

            Part of the instructions in this lesson is to complete a word study on “consecrated mind” and “intellectual virtue”.  Is that not our ultimate goal for our children?

            After my word study I came to understand a consecrated mind as one that is set apart for that which is holy.  It is a mind that is not conformed to this world but is renewed daily through prayer and the Word of God.  Intellectual virtue is comprehending and communicating ideas that are right and good, applying God’s law as the standard.

            Are these not very high standards?  Yes, they are!  We are not capable, in our own stead, to lead our children in this direction.  It must be the Lord that leads and not “we ourselves”.  That is the only way I see this possible for my children.

Guidelines of an Education based on The Principle Approach

PA Educational Distinctives

• Supremacy of the Bible
• Application of Biblical Principles
• Recognition of America’s Christian history and Biblical form of government
• Vocabulary of liberty in the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary
• Cultivates the teacher as the “living textbook”
• Classical, Bible curriculum
• Individual learning styles
• Biblical Christian worldview
• Student accountability for his learning
• Teach children the art of self-government 

Goal for internal qualities:

1. To know God;
2. Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
3. To honor parents and build a Christian family;
4. To be made complete and adequate to fulfill the calling of God;
5. To develop into wise and virtuous men and women;
6. To be found capable of being an independent scholar. 

Goal for External Qualities

1. Stewardship
   1. To wisely govern one’s personal God-given internal and external property reflecting the character of Christ.
   2. To understand Christian economics
   3. To be equipped and apprenticed in a tent-making occupation
   4. To embrace the Biblical work ethic
2. Scholarship
   1. To embrace the Word of God as the only rule for faith and practice
   2. To reason Biblically and logically
   3. Demonstrate basic skills and technology of research
   4. To have full knowledge and understanding of—

                                                              i.      America’s Christian history and government

                                                            ii.      Universal history and literature

                                                          iii.      The Providential Hand of God and the history of liberty in Western civilization

                                                          iv.      Great classical literature and languages

                                                            v.      Mathematics and the sciences

                                                          vi.      The fine and performing arts and the aesthetic components of life

5. Mastery and appreciation of foreign language beginning in primary school, with an emphasis on Latin in the middle school, and choices of Romantic and classical languages in high school.
2. Servanthood
   1. Demonstrate a love for God through service to others
   2. Demonstrate civic concern and volunteerism
3. Statesmanship
   1. Honorably represent Christ, family, school, and nation
   2. Trained in leadership skills
   3. Give a defense for the hope that lies within
   4. Demonstrate vision for local and national effectiveness in witness and mission.

Well, we’re done except for Lesson 9; which is “Write Your Vision”.  I hope that you have found some of these notes helpful in your study.  God lead you as you continue to delve into applying Biblical principles as part of your daily education of your children.  God bless you all.

 Karen