God's Original Intention for Education

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It is time for a 21^st century educational revolution!  During a recent graduate course at Liberty University, we thoroughly examined how the current educational system and structure has remained fundamentally the same in spite of the enormous changes that have occurred within culture and our world.  Just to name a few, think of the advances we’ve made in the areas of technology, transportation and medicine.  The changes in education are minimal in comparison!  Educational reform is a great buzz word, but very little reform has really taken place in education. 

From a Kingdom perspective, what really needs to change in education?  As in all areas of society and life, the greatest change that needs to be made in education is our perspective of it.  True spiritual reformation will only take place to the measure that our VISION is aligned with God’s VISION.  Therefore, the primary question that we need to ask and answer is this: What is God’s VISION for education?  In other words, what was God’s ORIGINAL INTENTION for education?

As I was seeking the Lord concerning these very questions, He answered me in a very peculiar way.  I began by searching the Scriptures to find the “first mention” of the concept (words related to) education.  I began to question, when was the first-time instruction and learning took place in the Scripture?  In the midst of my search, the Lord took me to the seemingly most irrelevant verses to education and BLEW ME AWAY with what He revealed concerning His ORIGINAL INTENTION for education.     

One day as I was seeking to Lord , He clearly spoke, “Isaiah 48:7” to me and led me to this Scripture.  Isaiah 48:7 (NKJV) states, “They are CREATED NOW and not from the beginning;  And before this day you have not heard them, Lest you should say, ‘Of course I knew them.’” 

Suddenly, the words, “CREATED NOW” jumped out at me, and the Lord began to minister to me concerning His NOW creative work in our lives.  Apostle Paul taught that in Christ we are “NEW creatures”, which means that the message of the Gospel is one of God’s miraculous work of REcreating us according to His original intention and purpose for our existence in the Earth.  Through this the Lord began to AWAKEN me to a fresh perspective of His VISION for education, which in ESSENCE is His REcreative work in our lives. 

The Hebrew word for create in this Scripture is bara’, and it is the same word used in Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God CREATED…”  So, the revelation of Isaiah 48:7 led me back to the first three verses of the Bible to reveal God’s VISION for education.  Within this passage, there are five components of God’s original intention for humanity and for education.  In fact, the remainder of the contents of the Bible are PROPHETICALLY REVEALED in Genesis 1:1-3.  Let’s take a look!

   1.     “In the beginning” – These words prophetically reveal God’s intention to establish “Divine Appointment” in our lives.  Though God is ETERNAL, and exists OUTSIDE OF TIME, He INTENTIONALLY created TIME in order to establish His APPOINTMENT of and with humanity.  In fact, God’s CREATION of TIME preceded all other aspects of His creation, INCLUDING His creation of US!  In fact, the ESSENCE of God’s VISION for EDUCATION is wrapped up in the only time that exists, which is NOW!  Right NOW is a Divine Appointment through which God is fulfilling His original intention for the nations (humanity) and for and through education.       

   2.     “God created” – These words prophetically reveal God’s intention to establish “Divine Creation” in the Earth and in our lives.  According to the Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, the Hebrew word bara’ has the following multiple meanings:  
    1. "To cut, to carve out, to form by cutting" = Related to the WORD covenant, which we will examine later... AND reFORMation, which is the REcreative work of the Lord in our lives!
    2. "To create, to produce" = Related to the Lord's command to be FRUITful and multiply; and Christ's John 15 discourse with His disciples regarding bearing MUCH FRUIT
    3. "To beget" - Related to the ultimate purpose of God, which is SONSHIP in the Earth... such as Christ who was the only BEGOTTEN son of God and US, who have been given the right to be children of God and to BECOME SONS (Spiritual Maturity)
    4. "To eat, to feed, to grow fat.” - Related to the Lord's command to Ezekiel to EAT (the scroll) that He gave him; AND Jesus' command to His disciples that they must EAT His body and DRINK His blood. 

     Ultimately, our REbirth and process of BECOMING a NEW CREATION in Christ is the essence and meaning of education according to the Lord’s VISION, perspective and original intention. 

   3.     “The heaven and the earth” These words prophetically reveal God’s intention to establish “Divine Connection” in our lives.  By matter of fact that the  conjunction AND (Hebrew word ‘eth) is present reveals that God’s original intention was for Heaven and Earth to be CONNECTED and never separated or disconnected from one another.  Therefore, education is the process of RESTORING the connection between Heaven and Earth in and through our lives.  As a result of Christ’s REcreative work in our lives, we are empowered to coexist in Heaven and Earth as a means of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven on the Earth.  Thus, the Lord’s prayer that says, “… on Earth as it is in Heaven…”

CONTEXTUAL SETTING OF EDUCATION:  “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.”  These words prophetically reveal that the context of Christ’s REcreative work in the Earth is one of apparent chaos and confusion.  This explains how so many aspects of our lives APPEAR to contradict the very GOODNESS of God and His SOVEREIGNTY to accomplish His original intention concerning us.  Yet, this should not be a surprise, because this seeming contradiction was PROPHESIED way back when the Torah was first spoken (God breathed) and first written.  Through the revelation of Jesus Christ, we now know that in reality this apparent confusion is nothing more than a “Divine Setup” for the manifest glory of God!

   4.     “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”  These words prophetically reveal God’s intention to establish “Divine Covenant” in our lives.  The Biblical understanding of covenant (Hebrew word beriyth) signifies an alliance or pledge that is related to the concept of cutting demonstrated by the compact made between two parties by passing between pieces of flesh.  Yet, in this instance the Spirit of God is the one making a COVENANT, ALLIANCE or PLEDGE of His own volition by hovering over the waters, which represent the future nations (humanity and inhabitants) of the Earth.  Interestingly, He made this COVENANT even before the creation of Adam, just as while we were YET SINNERS Christ died for us!  BEFORE we could ever agree to our union with Christ, He INITIATED His COVENANT with us.  This is PROPHETICALLY demonstrated through the Spirit’s act of hovering over the waters in the very beginning.  Therefore, just as apparent confusion (Divine Setup) is the natural context of education, the spiritual context of education is COVENANT, both with God and one another.  We are SURROUNDED and HOVERED over by the Spirit of Christ, who has COVENANTED with us that we may BECOME the fullness of who He created, called and ordained us to be in Him through His VISION of EDUCATION (the very process by which this REcreation and REformation occurs in our lives.      

   5.     “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”  These words prophetically reveal God’s intention to establish “Divine Community” in our lives.  What LIGHT shined in the Earth BEFORE the creation of the sun, moon and stars?!!!  It was the LIGHT of Christ, the SON of the Living God!!!  This demonstrates God’s original intention for COMMUNITY with the nations (humanity), which is Christ’s ultimate GOAL and PURPOSE for EDUCATION (His REcreation of us).    

Therefore, it is clearly evident that the Lord’s original intention for humanity and education is the Manifestation of 1. Divine Appointment; 2. Divine Creation; 3. Divine Connection; 4. Divine Covenant; and 5. Divine Community on Earth as it is in Heaven!

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission

The Apostolic Process of Education

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Through the Apostolic Process,

First, the Lord will REcreate you with precision and accuracy according to Heaven’s blueprint.

Then He will AUTHENTICATE you in Heaven and Earth.

Then He will AUTHORIZE you to carry His Kingdom message through the ACTivation of your faith... His faith moving through you.

What are you carrying?

It will grow from SEED to SPROUT to full MATURITY.

For your ministry is more about what you’re carrying than the works that you do. Yet, what you carry will lead to ACTION and PRODUCTIVITY.

Do not be discouraged in this PROCESS. For when the fullness of time has come, you will REST and not strive. You will be fully alive knowing that surely the fullness of time has come... And you have been AUTHORIZED by Heaven to display CHRIST in the Earth!

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission

Double Bridges of Education

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The Lord is calling some educators to be DOUBLE BRIDGES across generations by reaching, teaching and raising up the NEXT... NEXT generation while recruiting the NEXT generation to help you do it.

By so doing, you are leaving a legacy for multiple generations that will be expanded throughout the nations. So, never underestimate the possible level of Apostolic IMPACT through your Kingdom Education assignment.

I hear the Lord saying to those whom He has called to be a DOUBLE BRIDGE,

“This is My marketing plan:

•. Write it and they will read it.

•. Speak it, and they will hear it.

•. Build it, and they will come!”

“Build what?”, you may ask...

The Lord replies, “I have fully equipped you for what you really want to do. You just have to discover what it is that you really want to do. You are torn between the beginning and the end of your journey with a seemingly HUGE span of distance and time in between them. The passion and joy of your beginning was the first seed and fruit (sprout), but it is not a clear and accurate picture of the magnitude of the end result. Yet, just as the essence of the mature plant is in the seed, and the image of the mature plant is in its first sprout, so it is with the beginning of your journey and My original intention for the end or final destination of it.”

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission

The Apostolic Educational Mandate

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Matthew 4:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent! = BE BORN AGAIN!

3 Revelatory keys necessary to unlock and empower us to fulfill our apostolic educational purpose, calling and assignment:

1. Apostolic IDENTITY = (Does NOT mean the Ephesians 4:11 office or mantle of the apostle; Rather, we are created by God in His apostolic image, and He sent us into the Earth at this appointed time for a unique purpose and assignment.)

Apostolic revelation of God's identity, our identity and the identity of our unique Two - Fold apostolic educational mandate… 1. Come unto Christ to intimately LEARN of Him (Precision and Accuracy)… and 2. Go ONLY as Christ sends you (We must be Authenticated by Christ in order to demonstrate TRUE Apostolic Authenticity)…

* Do you know Him?

* Do you know yourself (Your Spiritual DNA & Who Christ is IN

you)?

* Do you know your assignment?

2. Apostolic PROCESS of Reconciliation = To be reconciled / aligned with God’s Word, Will and Way = The 1st apostolic educational mandate to come Learn of Him = Discipleship = Follow Me!

Apostolic PROCESS = Separation, Preparation, Revelation, Reformation = Bringing forth the fullness of the ministry of reconciliation (alignment) to His Word, Will and Way

* We must FIRST be REFORMED in order to BECOME an educational REFORMER

* We must FIRST be REVOLUTIONIZED in order to BECOME an educational REVOLUTIONER

3. Apostolic VISION = We must SEE as God SEES! 2nd Apostolic mandate to Go… ONLY as He sends us!

The UNLOCKING of our assignment through Divine connection, covenantal ACCESS and community... (Genesis 1:1-3)

The Fruitfulness of Fulfilling our Apostolic Educational Mandate (Habakkuk 2) = Establishing the Vision of Heaven on the Earth

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission

Kingdom Education Revolution

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In 2012, while I was in the midst of Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson's Certificate to Teach the Scribal Anointing ® course (which revolutionized my life by the way!), the Lord spoke these words clearly to me: “Education belongs to the scribe.”

It was through the impartation that I received through Apostle Theresa that the Lord clarified to me that EDUCATION was my assignment and the very purpose for which He created me and sent me into the Earth for such a time as this. 

Apostle Theresa has ALWAYS encouraged EVERY scribe to PRESS into the Lord through IMMERSION in order that the RAZOR-SHARP purpose for the Scribal Anointing® in our lives may become clearly manifest in and through every aspect of our scribal assignments. 

EDUCATION flows like a stream through everything I scribally think, dream, write, speak and do!  Likewise, there is a SOUND that flows through your scribal assignments too, and it will become clearer each and every day through your consistency to surrender to the Scribal Anointing ® upon and within your life.   

As a result of the impartation of the Scribal Anointing®, I awakened to the fact that I am not JUST a school teacher.  Likewise, Education is not JUST my occupation and source of a paycheck.  Likewise, I am not JUST called to write, preach and teach God’s Word.  No!  I am a SCRIBE of The King, and EDUCATION is my primary scribal assignment.  In fact, EDUCATION is WHO I AM! 

When I refer to KINGDOM EDUCATION, I am speaking and perceiving education according to the vision, perspective and purpose of Christ, our King.

The vision of Christ is to revolutionize education one heart and one life at a time, and He is raising up KINGDOM EDUCATORS to accomplish this vision on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Fellow Kingdom Educators, how do we accomplish this revolutionary vision of Christ?

•         By SEEING education as God SEES it...

•         By redefining education according to God’s original intention for education and for mankind…

•         By being revolutionized by Christ in order to BECOME a Kingdom revolution throughout the nations of the world…

•         By being truly and continually BORN AGAIN until the kingdoms of the Earth have BECOME the Kingdom of our Lord and His Messiah...  Because the “kingdoms” in us must first BECOME the Kingdom of the Lord and His Messiah before we can carry Christ’s vision throughout every city and nation…

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission


"The Scribal Anointing" ® by Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson can be purchased here:  
http://bookstore.schoolofthescribe.com/index.php/the-office-of-the-prophetic-scribe/the-scribal-anointing-set-copy 

Maximizing One's Kingdom Educational Impact

In conversing with the Lord about maximizing one’s Kingdom Educational impact... He revealed 3 primary keys 🔑 to me.

🔑 #1 Precision & Accuracy of becoming through the forming of Christ within the revolutionary Kingdom Educator that begets one's authenticity. (This is developed through the Apostolic Process that MUST continue through the second and third keys or stages.)

🔐 #2 Duplication of Christ through Kingdom Education

🔐 #3 Multiplication (Repeated Duplication or Addition) of Christ through Kingdom Education

An example of this would be the process by which the scribes of old would produce copies of the Torah that required 100% precision and accuracy that had to be authenticated before the Torah copy would be received and ready for use. Authentication was and is especially important if the copy is to be duplicated by making another “carbon” copy.

As Kingdom Educators, we must remember that we are not just transmitters of knowledge. Rather, through the teaching and learning process, we are imparting OURSELVES... our LIVES... the essence of our identity into our students. Ultimately, our God given role and purpose is to impart CHRIST into others, but we can only impart the measure of Christ to which we have BECOME united with Him in nature and character... or the measure to which He has been FORMED in us.

So, we must reflect... When we teach what are we REALLY and AUTHENTICALLY imparting into those whom we teach? This is why our PROCESS and JOURNEY of becoming who God created, called and ordained us to be in Christ is the MOST important aspect of Kingdom Education. In other words, the education of ME must precede that of my students.

Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson discusses the history of the ancient scribal work and process of copying the Torah in her book, “The Scribal Anointing” ®. I highly recommend this text in order to understand the connection between the calling of the scribe and the function of the Kingdom Educator.

http://bookstore.schoolofthescribe.com/index.php/the-office-of-the-prophetic-scribe/the-scribal-anointing-set-copy

© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only with permission

The Changing Role of the Teacher

Paul’s role as a teacher to Timothy significantly impacts the discussion regarding the best role of teachers and the best relational qualities between teachers and students in the 21^st century.  Amazingly, looking back to this Biblical time and example informs the way forward for modern educators.  In fact, Paul’s Biblical leadership, instruction and mentorship of his student, Timothy, serves as an example of true student - centric instruction and learning.  Student - centric learning requires that 21^st century educators reexamine and reform the role of the teacher to more closely reflect the instructional role that Paul had in Timothy’s life.  Paul demonstrates the role of the teacher as a mentor who was intimately involved in the unique individual learning process of his student.  “Mentorship is a demonstration of Sonship – in heaven and earth.  It is a cry to the son to listen to the instructions of a Father . . .  It is an ancient pattern of a teacher – student that can be seen throughout the scriptures and even our society today” (Johnson, 2017, p. x).         

When teachers function in the role of a mentor, they implement student - centric learning that empowers students to be “self-directed” by trusting them to make “decisions about their learning process” (Liberty, 2014).  In the Biblical book of II Timothy, the apostle Paul foresaw that he had finished the course of his earthly life, and he relayed tremendous wisdom to Timothy through this letter to prepare him for the inevitable separation between them that would transpire at the time of Paul’s death (II Timothy 4:7).  Ultimately, the aim of education is to teach students how to become self – directed in their learning process (Liberty University, 2014), so that they can continue to learn as lifelong learners long after graduation.  Unfortunately, the current monolithic trend of whole group standardized direct instruction and standardized testing greatly hinders students’ ability to self – direct their own learning process.  Standardization inhibits differentiation of students’ learning according to unique individualized learning preferences and methods. 

Whereas, the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was an example of differentiation and customization of instruction through one – on – one discourse specifically designed to empower Timothy to self-actualize the very Kingdom purpose and assignment for which God had created him and sent him into the Earth.  Likewise, Paul encouraged Timothy to self – direct his learning by striving to study the Word of God in order to accurately interpret, teach and live its truth (II Timothy 2:15).  Paul’s demonstration of the role of Timothy’s teacher as a mentor is comparable to treating education as a “solution shop” that “employs experienced, intuitively trained experts whose job is to diagnose problems and recommend solutions” (Christensen, Horn and Johnson, 2011, p. 126).  This shift away from standardization in education and the transformation of the role of the teacher and relationship between teacher and student is revolutionary and ideal for 21^st century education. 

In fact, from a specifically Kingdom education perspective, the role of the 21^st century teacher is to serve as a mentor, whose aim is “multiplying sons who are sold out for Christ and whose trajectory is tied to theirs . . . (Such) alignment is life giving to all in its path or influence by its path” (Johnson, 2017, p. 123).  Through this changing of teacher roles in 21^st century education, learning will become more truly student – centric and students will become more equipped to meet the demands of living in a 21^st century world and society.         

References

Christensen, C. M., Horn, M. B., & Johnson, C. W. (2011). Disrupting class: How disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns (2nd ed.). New York

Johnson, T. H. (2017). Apostolic Mentorship: Critical Tools to Help Artisans Identify Their God
Ordained Mentor. (1^st ed.). (n.p.): Author. ISBN: 9781976319938.

Liberty University (2014). Student – Centric Learning (Video file).  Retrieved from https://learn.liberty.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_408699_1&content_id=_21828456_1

The Interpreting of Living Scrolls

2 Corinthians 3:3 - You make it clear that you are a letter from the Messiah placed in our care, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on human hearts (CJB).

As scribes instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, we are scrolls written upon by Christ within and without, having been released into the Earth at a set appointed time.  But the letters, words and message written upon our hearts must be interpreted like the strange writing on the wall that Daniel interpreted for King Belshazzar.  The message that is written on the walls or tablets of our hearts must be interpreted in order to be understood by ourselves and others.  There is a unique process of interpretation for each person. Though some aspects of our processes may be similar, not all aspects are shared between us, because each person has a unique scribal process. 

There is a secret key that unlocks the portal of interpretation.  Once you find that secret key, it is imperative that you never abandon it.  Never put that key down, because every moment you fail to use that key of access is not only a loss of time that God has invested into you, but also a loss of pieces of the message on your scroll (which is you) that may remain uninterpreted in your generation or life span, because your message is also unique to you just as your process is unique to you.

There is a tremendous responsibility regarding your process (key) and the message written upon your heart (inner man).  Deep calls unto deep.  Do you hear the call of the message written by Christ within your soul?  It is crying out to be interpreted and read through your coexistence in Heaven and Earth that is accessed through your key and consistent intimate communion with and through the Portal, which is Christ.  There is an entrance of receiving interpretation and of releasing it in a language or tongue that can be understood by those to whom you (the scroll and message) are assigned.  Know your key (process).  Know your message.  Know your assignment.  Most importantly, know that you will only know these truths to the measure that you intimately know Christ, who is the Portal of access into a continually manifested life of coexistence in Heaven and Earth.  Also, we must remember that Holy Spirit is our Intimacy Coach through which we learn to coexist through Christ and live on Earth as it is in Heaven. 

For you do not only possess a unique key, but you are a unique key of access through the Portal of Christ.  As a key of access, you also give access to a specific assigned people who will also multiply this access into Christ, transforming the generations and nations in which we live in this dispensation of time.  The measure of transformation and Kingdom demonstration within our generations is directly aligned to OUR measure of ACCESS and AWARENESS of Christ as His united Body in the Earth.  

For not only are you a key of access into the Portal of Christ, but you are also a key for the unlocking of seals within a people who are also scrolls waiting to be unlocked, interpreted and read by men.  This domino effect is the unraveling of the matrix of deception and simultaneous building of a Kingdom matrix though which the kingdoms of the Earth are becoming the Kingdom of our Lord and His Messiah. 

Respectfully Released,

Minister Christine Lombard