The Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) outlines God's role and instructions regarding education. It establishes that God is the source of absolute truth, the first educator of mankind, and continues to teach through revelations. Education was centered on learning about God and was primarily done at home by parents, using symbols and reminders to instruct children in God's laws and their relationship with Him. The family played a key role in passing down teachings from generation to generation.

1. PENTATEUCH
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deutronomy
Reported by:
Carbonel, Venus
Palermo, Joshua
Esban, LA

2. Introduction
The purpose to communicate
biblical truth is set forth as a motif in
2 Tim. 3:16, “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in
righteousness.”

3. EDUCATION IN
THE PENTATEUCH
- Education Centered on God
- God as the Source of Absolute Truth (Content of Christian Education)
- God as the First Educator
- Teaching is God’s Action
- God’s Instructions to Israel

4. Education Centered on God
According to Kenneth O Gangel
“Education for the early Hebrews focused
on learning about God. The Bible's
opening statement leaves no room for
flexibility regarding its main topic
(Gen. 1:1).

5. God as the Source of Absolute Truth
(Content of Christian Education)
Long before written portions of the
Scripture were circulated, God's people
viewed His Word through His anointed
servants as absolute.

6. God as the First Educator
Adam and Eve, of course, learned from God
directly. God told Adam who and what he
was, what his powers were, and what his
potential was as a creator.

7. Adam and Eve had to take dominion
over God’s creation, to care for it, to
learn from it. God was quite specific:
God blessed them and said to them, "Be
fruitful and increase in number; fill the
earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of
the sea and the birds of the air and over
every living creature that moves on the
ground" (Gen. 1:28 NIV

8. Teaching is God’s Action
The history of Christian education for the
purpose of practice in everyday life dates
back to and from the creation of man.
The Creator began with the education of
Adam and Eve and through these first
parents to their children (Gen 4:1-4)

9. God’s Instructions to Israel
Respected Christian educators
understand the significance of the family
in teaching.

10. Deuteronomy 29:29: “The secret things
belong to the Lord our God, but the things
revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may follow all the words of
this law.”
• Earlier in the chapter Moses stands before
all the Israelites and reminds them one
final time that the covenant of God is with
the nation, but the nation is represented
by its families (Deut. 29:9-15).

11. 1. Education Centered at Home
The family was the important
place of educational activity, and
the father was held responsible
for training his children (Deut.
6:4-9)

12. 2. Symbols Helped to Educate Children
(Deut. 6:6-9)
Hebrews made regular use of visible
symbols that served as reminders of
their relationship to Yahweh. They
used a variety of phylacteries to
remind them of walking in the Law
and keeping the Commandments.

13. References:
• Barclay, William. Educational ldeals in the Ancient World.
Reprint; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974.
• Clark, Robert E., Johnson, Lin. Sloat, Allyn K. (Eds.),
Gangel, Kenneth O. (contributor). Christian Education
Foundation for the Future. Chicago : Moody Press,1991.
• Sherrill, L. The Rise of Christian Education. New York:
The Macmillan Company, 1950.
• Wilhoit, Jim. Christian Education and the Search for
Meaning. Grand Rapids: Baker 1986.