Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the concept of a "school" as we understand it today did not exist in the same formalized manner. However, education and the transmission of knowledge were highly valued in ancient Israelite society, particularly in the context of religious instruction and the passing down of the Law.Old Testament Context Education in ancient Israel was primarily centered around the family and religious institutions. Parents, especially fathers, were responsible for teaching their children the commandments and accounts of God's dealings with His people. This is evident in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 : "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." The role of the Levites and priests was also significant in educating the people, particularly in matters of the Law. They served as teachers and interpreters of the Law, ensuring that the Israelites understood God's commandments and statutes. In 2 Chronicles 17:9 , we see an example of this: "They taught throughout Judah, having with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people." Wisdom Literature The wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs, also emphasizes the importance of education and learning. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This highlights the belief that true knowledge and understanding begin with a reverence for God. New Testament Context By the time of the New Testament, Jewish education had become more structured, with synagogues serving as centers for learning. Jesus Himself was often referred to as "Rabbi," meaning teacher, and He frequently taught in synagogues and other public places. In Luke 4:16 , it is recorded, "He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read..." The Apostle Paul, a well-educated Pharisee, also emphasized the importance of teaching and learning within the Christian community. In his letters, he often instructed believers to teach one another and to hold fast to the teachings they had received. In 2 Timothy 2:2 , Paul writes, "And the things you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Role of Education in the Early Church The early Christian church placed a strong emphasis on teaching and doctrine. The apostles and early church leaders were committed to educating new believers in the faith, ensuring that they understood the core tenets of Christianity. Acts 2:42 describes the early church's devotion to teaching: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Conclusion While the formal institution of a school as we know it today was not present in biblical times, the Scriptures clearly demonstrate the importance of education, particularly in the context of religious instruction and the transmission of God's Word. The biblical model of education emphasizes the role of family, religious leaders, and the community in teaching and learning, with a focus on understanding and living out the principles of God's Law and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Topical Bible Verses Acts 19:9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Topicalbible.org John 7:14-16 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A shoal; a multitude; as, a school of fish.2. (n.) A place for learned intercourse and instruction; an institution for learning; an educational establishment; a place for acquiring knowledge and mental training; as, the school of the prophets. 3. (n.) A place of primary instruction; an establishment for the instruction of children; as, a primary school; a common school; a grammar school. 4. (n.) A session of an institution of instruction. 5. (n.) One of the seminaries for teaching logic, metaphysics, and theology, which were formed in the Middle Ages, and which were characterized by academic disputations and subtleties of reasoning. 6. (n.) The room or hall in English universities where the examinations for degrees and honors are held. 7. (n.) An assemblage of scholars; those who attend upon instruction in a school of any kind; a body of pupils. 8. (n.) The disciples or followers of a teacher; those who hold a common doctrine, or accept the same teachings; a sect or denomination in philosophy, theology, science, medicine, politics, etc. 9. (n.) The canons, precepts, or body of opinion or practice, sanctioned by the authority of a particular class or age; as, he was a gentleman of the old school. 10. (n.) Figuratively, any means of knowledge or discipline; as, the school of experience. 11. (v. t.) To train in an institution of learning; to educate at a school; to teach. 12. (v. t.) To tutor; to chide and admonish; to reprove; to subject to systematic discipline; to train. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SCHOOLskool (schole). Greek 4981. schole -- leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure ... ... school. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: schole Phonetic Spelling: (skhol-ay') Short Definition: leisure, a school Definition: leisure, a school ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4981.htm - 6k 4746b. Stoikos -- Stoic, ie belonging to the Stoic school of ... 3807. paidagogos -- a trainer of boys, ie a tutor Library With Christ in the School of Prayer The Boy and the Sunday School The School The School of Obedience The Public School and the Boy A Neglected School The Relation of the Sunday School to Community Organizations The Boy and the Sunday School School Life The Rural Sunday School Thesaurus School (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A shoal; a multitude; as, a school of fish. 2. (n.) A place for learned intercourse and instruction ... /s/school.htm - 9k School-master (2 Occurrences) Schoolmaster (3 Occurrences) Stoics (1 Occurrence) Tyrannus (1 Occurrence) Gymnasium Galatians (2 Occurrences) First (4693 Occurrences) Epicureans (1 Occurrence) Corinthians (3 Occurrences) Resources What is Vacation Bible School? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Sunday school? | GotQuestions.org What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org School: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance School (3 Occurrences)John 7:15 Acts 19:9 Titus 2:4 Subtopics School of the Prophets, at Naioth School: Schoolmaster (Tutor, RV) Related Terms |
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