Land O' Lakes, FL
5105 School Road
Our Philosophy
of Christian Education
Philosophy of Education
The purpose of Land O’ Lakes Christian School is to assist parents in the training of their children to conform to the image of Jesus Christ through a balanced spiritual, academic, and extra-curricular educational program.
A Christian philosophy of education must have a biblical perspective on man’s origin, his nature, and his fall. Man was created in the image of God to rule on the earth and to manifest God’s image in creative and procreative work (Genesis 1:26-27). However, man’s relationship to God was severed when Adam sinned (Romans 5:12). God has provided a means of restoring man’s relationship to Him through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Anyone who accepts this salvation by faith in Christ is given new life by the washing of regeneration and renewing by God’s Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Before salvation, man (although still capable of creative and procreative work) is in a fallen state: spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), in rebellion against God (Romans 2), and totally depraved (Romans 3:9-18).
All that is taught in Christian education must be theocentric (God-centered) rather than anthropocentric (man-centered). The Word of God is the source of all truth (John 17:17). Unregenerate man understands God’s natural revelation through His common grace, but suppresses the truth (Romans 1:18). The child of God understands God’s Word through the illuminating work of God’s Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 2:11). The primary responsibility of educating children is given by God to the parent. The Christian school acts as an extension of the home for the purpose of educating the child. Christian education through the home, church, and school must seek to establish in each student an eternal value system that is derived from the Word of God. Parents and educators must aim to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). At LOLCS, evangelistic efforts are put forth to make sure that all students have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ so that the teaching of spiritual truths may have a firm foundation. This is followed by instruction in right thinking, good conduct, and clean living in the light of the principles of God’s Word.
Character training is an important element in Land O’ Lakes Christian School. Teaching and requiring students to obey is basic to character training. The teacher is the authority in the classroom. Discipline is administered firmly but fairly. The eventual development of an inner self-discipline (deciding to do what is right) is essential to the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being of the student. To obey, to do right, to love God and country, and to always measure one’s attitudes against the principles laid out in the Scriptures are practices that LOLCS strives to instill in each student, thus equipping him for his role in God’s plan for his life and for his proper place in society. The academic program, through the traditional approach, emphasizes the mastery of the fundamental blocks of material necessary for satisfactory achievement and stresses the acquisition of facts and concepts in the various areas of study, leading to the development and exercise of the powers of reasoning. The traditional system of education strengthens the mind, builds character, encourages competition, and teaches the value of living under a free enterprise system of government.
Methods of teaching proven to be effective are utilized with a constant search for better methods. Realizing the differences in innate abilities, teachers encourage and expect all students to do their best. The goal of Land O’ Lakes Christian School is to produce graduates who demonstrate academic excellence and portray godly character in their Christian service and vocation. The ultimate objective of Christian education is to glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31) through the teaching of God’s truth to the end that God’s Spirit might use it to edify and mature His people.
