Bible Word of the Day

Education, New Testament (Common Forms of Education in New Testament Times)

Meaning
During the New Testament times there were three common forms of education. There was Greco-Roman education, there was the education system of Israel, including the specialized training of the Pharisees and the common training of people in the Synagogue. And then there were the training people received in the Christian church. The Christian church taught in regards to Christian doctrine, scripture and the person of Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Greek education system started in the fourth century BC. And with the conquest of Alexander the Great it quickly spread throughout the Mediterranean region and the known world at the time. Later the Romans adopted the Greek system, making their own modifications. And these methods included specialized branches of study, which children started at a young age.

Jewish tradition states that by 63 AD every Jewish town had a master school teacher. His job was to ensure proper education was taught to Jewish children starting at the age of six or seven. This was more of a refinement of the current Jewish education system which was in place two centuries before. The Jewish educational system included the teaching of scripture, Jewish tradition as well as Hellenistic training during New Testament times.

Christian training during New Testament times centered around scripture and the teachings of Jesus. People were first taught by the apostles themselves, who then trained others. This included the teachings of Jesus as well as Old Testament scriptures. Over time as the church grew, this also included basic education as well as the letters written by the apostles and their associates. Just like today men were not allowed to lead a congregation without proper training. This training was based on the standards set by the apostles.