Biblical Integration is… Contextual

Effectively integrating faith and learning in our classrooms requires us to consider the context of that classroom.

The Bible teaches us timeless truths, but it is up to us to do the hard work of determining how to apply those truths to our own lives and the lives of our students.  Biblical integration is not about turning a science or a music lesson into a sermon!  The study of each subject area has value because it is part of the good world that God created for us to enjoy.  Every part of God’s creation has also been affected by the fall, so our study of the subject disciplines helps us identify opportunities for redemption.  Biblical integration is carried out in the context of the subject being studied in the classroom.

Biblical integration is also carried out in the context of the students in the classroom.  The age, experience, culture and interests of the students all impact the relative importance of Biblical principles and how they should be applied.

Planning for Biblical integration therefore involves us asking questions such as…

– What key Biblical themes or principles most clearly connect with the content of my lesson?

– What aspects of my students’ culture might make it difficult for them to understand or apply this idea?

– What concepts can my students understand and act upon, given their age and level of development?

For example, I have spent significant time in my career teaching economics/business subjects to high school students from western cultural backgrounds. One biblical principle that is relevant to this subject area is that of stewardship.  That is, anything I “own” is not my own but a gift from God which I am obligated to use diligently and humbly to glorify Him and serve others.  I can expect to be held accountable for what I do with what I have been given (Matthew 25:14-30).  This principle of stewardship guides myself and my students to evaluate and apply the concepts we are learning differently to the “me first” consumer-driven culture around us.  Starting a business, for example, doesn’t begin with identifying a niche market that I can make money from, but a need which I can effectively use my resources to meet in a sustainable way.  Other biblical principles that immediately come to mind for this subject area are generosity and honesty. Of course there are more!

What other questions can you think of that teachers need to ask to effectively apply Biblical truth in their classrooms?