Historical educators usually agree on the following.
1) Children are a gift from God.
2) Parents are commanded to train their children for God.
3) All education is for the individual, not for the state.
4) All should have the opportunity to be educated.
The Hebrews
The education of the earliest Hebrews centered around the family. The notion of the state is almost unknown - God is the real king, while the perfect man is pious and virtuous, capable of attaining the ideal traced by God himself in these terms - Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy (Lev. 19:2).
The child, then, was to become the faithful servant of Jehovah. To this end it was not needful that he should be learned, but only that he should know God's laws and ordinances. These were first taught by the oral communication and instructive example of the parents. Fathers also taught their children the nation's history and the great events that had marked the destiny of the people of God.
The discipline given to children was unwavering in firmness, proven by many passages in the Bible. Some say it was too harsh, and yet children grew in character and were kept from evil in learning the fear of the Lord. It was Almighty God who was to be pleased, not "almighty child." Today we are too quick to avoid offending the child, and the modern-day, child-rights advocates, while God and his perfect parenting patterns are often being given second place. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God . . ." (1 Cor. 3:19)
At the time of Christ, Jewish boys entered school at the age of six. They were taught reading, writing, a little of natural history and a great deal of geometry and astronomy. Naturally, the Bible was the first book put in their hands. The master interspersed moral lessons with the teaching of reading and made a special effort to secure a correct pronunciation. He multiplied his explanations in order to make sure of being understood, repeating his comments even to the four-hundredth time if necessary. It seems that the methods were suggestive and attractive and-at this time-the discipline relatively mild.
The Methods of the Master
(Scriptures references are from the book of Matthew, unless otherwise noted.)
Jesus Christ's most intimate teaching was reserved for those who would be teaching others. Before beginning, and regularly during His ministry, He prepared spiritually. We too begin by sitting at His feet and receiving His special guidance.
Christ taught everywhere. He modeled the command that was given us specifically as parents to talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deut. 6:7). His method was personal dialog, but sometimes-as with large groups-the Master used the "lecture" method. He read aloud (in the temple) and used the Word. When Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (12:40-42).
When he opened His mouth, truth after truth flowed out in streams of living water. We can also speak with wisdom and authority if we have spent time in God's Word. He didn't mind being interrupted (9:18,19) and often was, by questions that led to further teaching and discussion (12:38-45). He also, by questioning, stirred His hearers to deep thought (11:7-14). He made sure His listeners understood His teaching (13:51) and the value of their learning (13:53). His teaching was keyed to the comprehension of the listener-in His conversation with the learned Nicodemus, He plunged at once into the most profound doctrines; when He talked with the Samaritan woman, His approach to the truth was most simple and gradual. He didn't hesitate to correct and was stern when necessary but always spoke truth and righteousness. Even in sternness, His motive was love (12:34). Although His was the ideal pedagogy, we can also learn from some of history's other - continued below ...
