Why Fine Arts is Essential for an Excellent Christian Education
7 benefits of a Comprehensive Fine Arts Education
Dr. Manuel Salazar, LBS Administrator
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”. Luke 2:52
Fine Arts education is considered optional in many Christian schools today, but a thoroughly biblical, well-balanced, and comprehensive Christian education must include the whole student: Body, Soul, and Spirit. This is what greatly differentiates us from government schools, where they are not permitted to post the Ten Commandments, pray as a class for our nation, study the Word of God, etc…Our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt said it best when he said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” Our culture, local news reports, experience, and the Bible attest to this statement. Fine Arts is the bridge that connects and greatly links the spiritual, academic, social, and physical aspects of learning. As a result, students who regularly participated in Fine Arts for at least three years, scored 40 points higher on the math portion of the SAT and 64 points higher on the verbal portion. A comprehensive Fine Arts program would include items such as music (choirs, ensembles, instrumentals, etc.) , preaching, teaching, speech, science fair, academic testing, Bible quizzing, spelling bees, chess, photography, debate, crafts, and art.
Christian schools must fully take advantage of the freedoms and opportunities we have as Christian educators to fully educate a student in every aspect of life. With Jesus as our ultimate example, we must seek to educate and equip students to grow in favor with God (spiritually) in wisdom (academically), stature (physically), and in favor with man (socially). While many schools have a growing spiritual, academic, and athletic curriculum, some overlook the importance of fine arts in the social development and the comprehensive linkage it provides across the curriculum. A properly structured Fine Arts program helps students to more greatly reach their God-given potential in every aspect of the educational process and be much more prepared to fulfill the Lord’s plan for their lives. I encourage you to consider creating or expanding your Fine Arts education curriculum and participating in a solid competition each year. Below are seven major benefits a comprehensive program can provide for students…a fine arts education:
1. Provides an opportunity for students to develop God-given skills, abilities, and knowledge for the glory of God
• Exalts Christ by seeking to excel in a variety of areas
• Edifies students in Christ and enriches their educational experiences
• Equips the saints for the work of the ministry
2. Helps students develop and grow spiritually
• Competitions and training in Bible Preaching and teaching
• Competitions and training for Bible Quiz teams
• Competitions and training in Bible memory and knowledge testing
3. Helps students achieve greater scholastic accomplishments
• 2 times more likely to read for enjoyment and enrichment
• 3 times more likely to win a writing or poetry contest and participate in math or science competitions
• 4 times more likely to be recognized for overall academic achievements
4. Helps students develop many vitally important social skills
• By sharpening speaking skills
• By building teamwork skills
• By helping students refine preparation and planning skills
5. Helps students develop better physically (Mind and Body)
• By increasing higher-order mental skills
• By strengthening physical motor skills
• By developing visual, audio, and kinesthetic skills
6. Motivates students to learn and enjoy school
• Encourages students to persevere through spirited competition
• Students are three times less likely to miss school when involved in fine arts
• Helps students to become more independent learners desiring excellence
7. Encourages students to be servant-leaders within their school, church, and communities
• 3 times more likely to be elected to school leadership positions
• 4 times more likely to serve in their church and youth group
• 4 times more likely to participate in community projects
The results are clear and the benefits are many. Students involved in spiritually and academically strong Christian schools with a comprehensive and complementary Fine Arts program are best prepared for college, for their God-given vocation, and for a faithful life of servant-leadership. In addition, students involved in Fine Arts are also more likely to become life-long learners, better problem solvers, and develop many other important life skills. May we as Christian educators realize the importance and the many benefits of a solid Fine Arts education and create or expand a program for their students and schools for their betterment and for the glory of our Lord.