Reclaiming Education for the Kingdom of God

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18–20, is not merely a missionary text reserved for pastors and evangelists—it is a mandate to all believers, including educators. Yet, in today’s world, its depth and authority are often diluted by modern thinking and cultural norms. To faithfully respond to this call, educators must first confront the absolute authority of the One who gives it—Jesus Christ.

1. The Declaration of Absolute Sovereignty

Before Jesus commands His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations,” He establishes His authority:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18).

This is not a suggestion or gentle invitation—it is a royal decree from the King of Kings.

“All authority”—nothing exists outside His rule: education, government, family, science, art, and culture.

“In heaven and on earth”—His dominion is limitless, beyond time, geography, or human permission.

Jesus is not just a religious leader; He is the sovereign ruler of a real Kingdom. His commands are not optional—they carry divine weight.

2. The Clash of Mindsets: Democracy vs. Kingdom

Most of us were raised in democratic societies where leaders can be questioned, policies debated, and opinions freely expressed. While democracy has value, it creates a challenge when we approach Scripture.

Many believers treat Christ’s commands as suggestions:

“Did He really mean go?”

“What does the Greek actually say?”

“Maybe this applies to missionaries only?”

But Scripture says we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven (Colossians 1:13). In a Kingdom:

There is one King—His word is law.

Obedience is immediate, not optional.

Serving the King is the highest honor, not a burden.

We must shift from a democratic mindset to a Kingdom mindset—especially in the way we teach, lead, and model faith.

3. A Lesson from History: Nebuchadnezzar’s Authority

To grasp the seriousness of royal authority, Scripture provides an example in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (Book of Daniel):

He relocated people, changed their names, taught them a new language, and imposed a new culture without their consent.

His decrees were absolute—failure to obey resulted in death.

Even his dreams became national policy.

If the command of an earthly, flawed king carried such weight, how much more should we honor the authority of the eternal King of Heaven?

4. Education and the Kingdom: No Sacred–Secular Divide

Modern education often isolates “faith” from academic subjects. Jesus is limited to church, while mathematics, biology, literature, and history are treated as neutral or secular.

But in the Kingdom:

All truth is God’s truth.
Mathematics reveals His order.
Science reveals His creativity.
Literature reveals His story in humanity.
History reveals His sovereign hand across nations.

Christian education is not about adding a Bible verse to a lesson. It is about teaching every subject as part of God’s revelation.

5. The Great Commission as an Educational Mandate

The Great Commission is deeply educational in its nature:
“Go and make disciples… teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).

Notice the word: teaching.

This means:

The classroom is a mission field.

Teaching is disciple-making.

Students are not just learners—they are future Kingdom ambassadors.

David Livingstone captured this perfectly:

“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?”

6. A Call to Christian Educators

Christian educators are not just professionals—they are Kingdom agents. To be faithful:

✅ Teach under the authority of Christ.
✅ Reject the sacred-secular divide.
✅ Form minds, not just impart knowledge.
✅ Disciple students to love God with heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
✅ See teaching not as a job, but as obedience to a King.