OPC Ruling Elder Podcast

Christian Education and Ruling Elders

a Podcast from the OPC Committee on Christian Education Season 3 Episode 1

Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the CCE, talks about ruling elders and Christian Education. The OPC cherished the work of Christian Education and quickly developed specific principles of Christian education and pedagogy to guide its work. Those principles are available here and will provided a stimulating starting point for the continuing importance of Christian Education in the churches.

Danny’s three book recommendation for ruling elders are,

  • R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ, (Banner of Truth)
  • Edwin H. Rian, The Presbyterian Conflict.
  • John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion.

A Program For Christian Education (1945) - Available here
Outline
I. Subjects
  A. Covenant subjects
    1. Communicant
    2. Non-communicant 
  B. Non-covenant subjects

II. Aims
  A. General
    1. Noetic: knowing the doctrine
      a. Bible history
      b. Theology
      c. Ethics
      d. Church government and usages
    2. Experiential: adorning the doctrine 
      a. Saving faith
      b. Growth in grace
        (1) Worship (inc. Sabbath Observance)
        (2) Obedience
        (3) Use of the means of grace
        (4) Realization of the fruit of the Spirit 
        (5) Christian witnessing and service
  B. Applied
    1. With respect to covenant relation
    2. With respect to age, ability, background

III. Method
  A. Requirements of method
    1. Sound in principle
     a. Scriptural
     b. Pedagogically and psychologically sound
    2. Efficient in operation
      a. Conserving time
      b. Utilizing best means available
  B. Specific applied methods 
    1. Specific teaching types 
    2. Aids to teaching.
    3. Expressional activities

IV. Program
Problems of integration
  A. Chiefly designed for covenant subjects
    1. Guided parental instruction
    2. Pastor's instruction of covenant youth
    3. Teacher and leadership training program
  B. Chiefly designed for non-covenant subjects 
    1. Sunday Bible school
    2. Weekday classes
    3. Club program
    4. Evangelistic meetings and propaganda 
  C. Dual-purpose programs
    1. Weekday religious education 
    2. Vacation Bible school
    3. Summer Bible conference
    4. Young People's Society 
    5. Home Study programs

The Use of Pictorial Representations of Christ in the Work of Christian Education

Available here.