1.1 Introduction
Trans-generational Leadership is a kind of leadership style which plans and prepares for the succession of the next generations. Biblical leadership is only used when leadership is referred to as it was exercised in the Bible by leaders like Moses, Deborah, the various kings of Israel and Judah, Nehemiah and the leaders within the New Testament churches. Christian Education is the intentional efforts to pass on the Christian faith and lifestyle to others. It involves people of mature faith nurturing others who are growing faith. Christian Religious Studies (CRS) is one of the major subjects missionaries bequeathed to Nigerian education system on the establishment of schools by the 19th century missionaries. The aim was to train people who will be of immense help to the colonial trinity goals. In other to achieve the above, the major curriculum contents of their educational system were Bible knowledge, Arithmetic and English language for communication (Nsongo, 2001).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Christian education is dedicated to helping people discover God’s meaning for life. It goes without saying that Christian education must be founded on Biblical principles if it is to be genuinely Christian. In the first place, it is how Christians through their study of the Bible get to know God and understand His plan for their lives. Secondly it is how Christianity is passed on from generation to the next.
The scriptures say that right from the beginning God laid the foundations of Christian education, after He has created man, He put in him the abilities and intelligence to think and name all which God has created then He placed in the garden of Eden for him to take care of it, He did not stop there but He instructed the man concerning the dos and don’t, He also explain to man the consequences which will follow if he does not obey the instructions given to him (Genesis 2:15-17).The same process is repeated in the history of Jewish people whereby God kept instructing them on how they should live ,worship…He gave them rules and regulations for them to follow so that they will be called His.
From the time of Adam to nowadays, Bible history shows us that Christian education comes from God and it is needed all over the world. Several people try by all means to have knowledge and be instructed, spending their time, strength and wealth to acquire education in different disciplines .Such people are showing more and more interest in learning because of the significance they attribute to it and the values that come from it; the more a person is educated, the more is considered in the society. Sadly, there is almost no room for Christian education in the list of disciplines that people boast of, no emphasis on the importance of Christian education, not even enough effort to improve the quality of its teachings.
In His post resurrection ministry, Christ instructed the apostles to teach and make disciples, the disciples made should make theirs too till the gospel will reach the whole world but it seems like the purpose has been changed and replaced with other teachings. The quality of teaching leaders of tomorrow churches are receiving today is seen as been of low quality compared to the expectation of Christ. When He throw His regards in the future to see how the church will look like He even wondered and asked, “Will I find faith when I will come back?” Years back this question look like irrational to many but the ways things are going today one can understand this statement better.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation revealed that the society is going through very tough moments and youth are the most affected by it recession, lack of employment and social consideration is all that they content with. Face to this situation, the world has tried to help them in the way it can and led many to backsliding others involve in so many things that they find difficult to resign from.
The future of Christian’s faith relies and depends on the quality of Christians’ leaders produced today. Youth that are to take responsibility of the church of tomorrow seems to be distracted and disengaged from learning more about the basis of Christian faith. Success or failure to produce good Christian leaders capable to lead and guide the sheep of the Lord depend on the quality of teachings they receive today and the kind of preaching they are listening to daily; what they have received is what they will give to others. The quality of Christian teachings declines every day and both youth and Christian educators are not making much effort to redress it.
In view of the great advancing of challenges from both secular and religious realm, Christian youths seem to be vulnerable and are easily attracted.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To enhance the teachings of the church because lack of sound teachings may result in church social gathering where people are just entertained rather than formed disciples in Christ like manner;
- To present a biblical understanding and example of the teaching ministry;
- To assess the need of the church for effective leader;
- To identify the main goal of Christian education; and
- To suggest ways of curbing the challenges affecting the Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership among CRS students.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there ways of curbing the challenges affecting the Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership among CRS students?
- How can the teachings of the church be enhanced?
- What is the need for an effective church Leader?
- What are the main goals of Christian Education?
- What is the biblical understanding of the teaching ministry?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor affecting Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership in the area under review.
- H1: There is a significant factor affecting Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership in the area under review.
1.7 Significance of Study
The ministry of Education may use the findings of this study to design pre service and in-service courses for student teachers and teachers of Christian religious studies. Schools teaching Christian religious studies may also use the findings in the attempts to make secondary agricultural education more relevant and effective for Christian religious studies student teacher during their teaching practice.
The study would help to improve their understanding of CRS and thus adjust properly in the society through active participation in the classroom leaning which stimulate their interest and change the negative perceptions they already have in learning Christian Religious Studies and this invariably help them to develop the affective domain of knowledge in secondary schools.
The researcher will help to address the implication of Christian education in church and society. It will set an alarm for church leaders and youth to uphold biblical basis of teaching for the future trans-generational leaders to be rooted in their faith and believe. Again it will serve as a source of material for the seminary students, church historians and future researches into area related to the subject matter.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the impact of Impact of Christian Education for Trans-generational Leadership in Nigeria. The research study will be limited to selected respondents in the Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Christian: Relating to or professing Christianity or its teachings.
Religious Studies: Religious studies, alternately known as the study of religion, is an academic field devoted to research into religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.
