The Code of Education in the Gospels

"It may surprise parents who have not given much attention to the subject to discover also a code of education in the Gospels, expressly laid down by Christ." — Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 12

The "code of education" referenced in the quote above refers to several verses found in the book of Matthew. Interestingly, each of these verses contains a warning about what we must not do to our children—"as if the chief thing required of grown-up people is that they should do no sort of injury to the children: Take heed that ye OFFEND not—DESPISE not—HINDER not—one of these little ones."

Charlotte Mason explains that understanding this code is a necessary precursor to forming a philosophy of education:

"…for if we once settle with ourselves what we may not do, we are greatly helped to see what we may do, and must do."^1^

So what does it mean when Scripture tells us not to offend, hinder, or despise our children?

Do Not Offend

We offend children when we place stumbling blocks in their path. Scripture offers a sobering warning: those who cause a child to stumble would be better off drowned with a millstone around their neck (Matthew 18:6).

In Home Education, Charlotte Mason writes:

"We offend them when we do by them that which we ought not to have done."

She continues:

"But the little child is going out into the world with uncertain, tottering steps in many directions. There are causes of stumbling not so easy to remove as an offending footstool; and woe to him who causes the child to fall!"^1^

Rather than creating obstacles, perhaps we are called to model the spirit of John the Baptist—bringing down mountains, raising valleys, and making straight paths for our children, as described in Luke chapter 3.

Do Not Despise

Many of us are familiar with the exhortation in Matthew 18:10: "Take heed that ye not despise one of these little ones." To despise, in this context, means to hold a low opinion of or to undervalue. This idea is closely tied to Charlotte Mason's first—and most foundational—principle of education: Children are born persons.

As parents, it is easy to despise children simply because they are smaller and less mature. While we affirm that children are made in God's image, do our words and actions truly reflect that belief? Too often, adults assume superiority in ways we should not. God has indeed placed children under our authority, but that does not mean their minds are inferior or less capable than our own.

Do Not Hinder

Charlotte Mason warns:

"The most fatal way of despising the child falls under the third educational law of the Gospels; it is to overlook and make light of his natural relationship with Almighty God."^2^

Matthew 19:14 contains Christ's warning not to hinder children from coming to Him.

We hinder children when we assume they are incapable of a genuine, meaningful relationship with God simply because of their age. Yet Mason suggests their faith may be more natural than we realize:

"As the babe turns to his mother though he has no power to say her name, as the flower turns to the sun, so the hearts of children turn to their Saviour and God with unconscious delight and trust."^3^

A Call to Reflection

These ideas are worthy of deep reflection. How we view our children—and how seriously we take Scripture's instruction regarding our relationship with them—will inevitably shape how we educate them, and even more importantly, how we live life alongside them.

Let us be careful and diligent to ensure that, as much as it depends on us, we do not offend, despise, or hinder our children.

Sources

Charlotte Mason, Home Education, pp. 13–14
Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 18
Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 20