Coon Rapids Baptist Church
Home
Location
Contact Us
Staff
FAQ
Ministries
Affiliations
History
Our School
The Purpose of Coon Rapids Christian School
Coon Rapids Christian School was organized in 1977 to assist parents in their God-given responsibility to train up  their children in the way they should go.  In order to accomplish this purpose it is our intention:
  1. To complement the home by reinforcing the teachings of the home such as patriotism, respect for authority, hard work, love for God and discipline.
  2. To build Christian character (Christ likeness).
  3. To prepare each student to serve God whether he becomes a preacher, lawyer, businessman, factory worker or whatever vocation he chooses.  It is more important to learn how to live than to make a living.
  4. To teach self-discipline by training them to be consistent, appreciative, responsible and thorough.
  5. To teach that all of life is sacred.  Everything the student does is to be for the glory of God.
  6. To develop the whole child (Luke 2:52).  Our program is designed to produce intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth in each student.

 
Definition of Christian Education
Christian education is the life-long, Bible-based Christ-centered process by which individuals are led to Christ for salvation, instilled with Christ-like character, and equipped to serve Christ.
 

Secular Education

Christian parents need to know that the primary error of public schools is not lack of discipline, is not drugs or immorality, and is not even unsaved teachers.  Christian parents should have their children in Christian schools because by definition the secular public schools cannot teach what should be taught as the beginning of all knowledge--the fear of the Lord.  Humanism , the philosophy of secular education, denies the existence of a personal God and trusts instead in human self-sufficiency.  Humanism is directly opposed to Christianity in virtually every way; the followers of humanism believe that only man’s abilities and discoveries determine progress or advancement.  The person who follows the humanistic way of thinking accepts the idea that there is no absolute value system; right and wrong exist only in men’s minds.  Biblical principles and prayer have no relevancy in secular education since that system recognizes  no God.
The humanistic teaching that a child receives in public schools will become the basis of his priorities about right and wrong and life decisions.  Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 23:7 that “as he (a person) thinketh in his heart (mind), so is he.”  Naturally, what goes into a child’s mind is what he will build his life upon.  Christian parents who have been careful to train their youngsters according to scriptural principles will find their efforts undermined by the godlessness that permeates even the best of public education.
 
PHILOSOPHY ON THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN

Since God’s Word places the responsibility for the education of children on their parents (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and  on the church (Matthew 28:20) and not on government, we know that God wants a Christian education for children.

For education to be  truly Christian we believe it is important to instill in each student a Christ-likeness (Romans 8:29 “...conformed to the image of His son.”).  In order to accomplish this the whole  child must be developed.  Jesus is our pattern, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52).  Each student must “increase” intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially.

Intellectually

The foundation of the CRCS program is the School of Tomorrow curriculum. It has many advantages including individualization goal setting, mastery learning and character building.  The program is strengthened by adding to the School of Tomorrow, self-study method, classes using the lecture/note taking and the hands-on methods.  The total program is enhanced with computer training.

Physically
The emphasis of the physical education classes and inter-scholastic competition in sports is to develop a lifelong habit of physical fitness.
Spiritually
The students must learn God’s Word and be taught to obey it.  The truths of God’s Word are taught not only in Bible class, but in every subject and in the lives of the teachers.
Socially
To be successful for God in today’s world every student must learn to communicate with  others.  Communication skills such as speech and creative writing are taught to every student.  Students are able to put communication and music skills to use in school programs and inter-scholastic competition.  Meeting students from other Christian schools through athletic competition and student conventions is also a means of social development.
 
PHILOSOPHY ON ATHLETICS
Participation in athletics provides the physical activity that is vital for the maintenance of good health.  Research has established that inactivity is a prime factor in the steadily increasing rate of heart, respiratory, and circulatory disease in American teenagers.

God’s Word commands us to glorify God in our bodies (I Corinthians 6:20). To glorify God we must keep our bodies pure and physically fit. Physical fitness involves aerobic capacity, flexibility, and muscular strength, endurance, and coordination.

Participation in athletics affects every aspect of life. Sports help develop the student not only physically, but spiritually, mentally, and socially.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Keeping our bodies physically fit is an act of worship.

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Romans 12:1

We glorify Him by being physically fit for WORK in His service.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT
Physical fitness produces an alertness that increases mental effectiveness.  Learning the rules of play and offensive and defensive strategies help in intellectual development.  Participation in games helps develop the ability to think decisively
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Athletics provide opportunities for social interaction and Christian fellowship with team members and students from many other Christian schools.

Athletics are character building.  As a member of a team a student learns cooperation, courtesy, and responsibility to others.  In a game situation he learns to abide by the rules, respect the authority of the referees and the coach, to win or lose gracefully, and to do his best in every situation.  In practice he learns perseverance and self-control.

We believe that students should receive praise for doing their best no matter what the final score is.  This gives us the opportunity to teach that God requires our best and expects our best.  God does not require us to be better than anyone else, but rather to do the best with what He has given us.
“For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required...”  Luke 12:48
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord...” Colossians 3:23

 
PHILOSOPHY ON HIGHER EDUCATION

It is our desire that all of our students go on to Bible college.  The primary reason for this desire is not for their economic advantage, but for spiritual advantage.

During the first year after leaving home our children are probably more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan than at any other time in their lives.  Those who enter directly into the job market, enroll in vocational school, or enlist in the military will be under tremendous peer pressure to give in to sin.  There will be few strong Christians from which to draw strength  to do right.  Those who enroll in a secular university or college will face the additional danger of the humanistic professors’ influence.  Young students become enamored with and intimidated by the professors’ knowledge with the result that they eventually reject the Bible standards they have grown up with.

Non-fundamental religiously affiliated colleges are even more dangerous than secular schools.  The teaching at such institutions is not only steeped in humanistic thought, but also in false doctrine.  The influence on young minds is the same as at a state school.  (See excerpt from “Focus on the Family” letter.)

It is during these college years that our children will most likely make three of life’s most important decisions.

What will be my life’s work?  At a good Bible college students are encouraged to seek God’s will concerning the vocation they will train for.  Many are called into full time Christian service.
 
Who will be my life’s mate?  They will meet many young people from Christian families whose standards are similar to ours.  The chances that our children will meet and marry godly Christians are much greater if they attend a good Bible college.
 
What will be my life’s values?  Our children live according to our values, but when they leave the home they must decide what their values are.  At a good Bible college they will be encouraged to develop Biblical values by which to live.
Even if training for your child’s vocational field is not available at a Bible college they should be encouraged to take a year or two of general courses at a good Bible college.
Excerpt from “Focus on the Family” letter:  “Recently I read a letter from a disheartened parent who felt she had lost her child at a state college.  She wrote:  What we thought was a fine college ruined our daughter.  A course in religion destroyed her faith in the Bible, a course in philosophy destroyed her faith in God, a course in psychology destroyed her faith in her parents, a course in biology destroyed her faith in divine creation, and a course in political science destroyed her faith in the American way of life.
 
Unfortunately, for most students leaving a Christian atmosphere and diving headlong into a college that has no biblical foundation, the confusion can be very damaging.  Students are bombarded with conflicting and ungodly philosophies taught by deep-thinking professors until their Christian standards become muddled in their minds.”
 
Life’s Purpose
Our purpose for existing, both as individual Christians and as a local church, is to bring glory to God.
  1. As individuals - I Corinthians 6:20, 10:31
  2. As a local church - Romans 15:6
Glorifying God involves what we are to be and what we are to do.
  1. What we are to be - conformed to the image of Jesus Christ - Romans 8:29, II Corinthians 3:18
    To be what He wants us to be we must submit to Him
  2. What we are to do -honor and obey God-Ecclesiastes 12:13
    To do what He wants us to do we must serve Him. 
 
The means by which we are able to accomplish our purpose is summarized in two Biblical statements; The Great Commandment and The Great Commission.
 
The Great Commandment - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The Great Commandment concerns our relationship with God - Worship
  1. We must develop and maintain a growing personal relationship with God (vs. 4-6).
  2. We must train our children to develop and maintain a growing personal relationship with God  (vs. 7-9).
Jesus taught a second part to the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:35-40).  This second part  relates to the Great Commission.

The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20
 
The Great Commission concerns our responsibility to others - Witness
We must make others disciples of Christ
  1. Evangelization - Bring the lost to Christ for salvation
  2. Enlistment - Baptize them and bring them into the local church.
  3. Education - teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded (Great Commandment and Great Commission
Coon Rapids Baptist Church . 11164 Hanson Boulevard NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433 . Phone: (763) 755-3549 . Fax: (763) 755-1278