What Does It Mean to Teach Christianly?
By Dr. Mark Witwer |Guest Writer to Faith Journey
Have you ever wondered what it really means to “teach Christianly”?
For many Christian educators, the call to “integrate faith and learning” feels both inspiring and elusive. We know our schools aim to nurture students’ spiritual formation—not just their academic achievement. But what does that look like in the classroom, day after day?
Is teaching Christianly simply about opening class with prayer or adding Bible verses to lesson plans? Or does it reach deeper—shaping how we teach, not just what we teach?
These are the questions that captured my imagination early in my journey as a Christian educator—and they continue to shape my understanding of what faithful teaching looks like today.
Beyond “Adding Bible Verses”: Rethinking Faith Integration
When I began teaching, I assumed that making education “Christian” meant having the freedom to talk about the gospel and teach from a biblical perspective. But over time, I discovered there was much more to it.
Most Christian schools have mission statements that emphasize spiritual formation and heart transformation. Yet many teachers—myself included—spend most of our energy simply trying to “do education well.” We teach hard, grade fairly, and try to model Christlike character. But the deeper challenge is asking:
How can my teaching not only inform my students but also form them—spiritually, morally, and imaginatively?
Recent scholarship in faith-based education is helping us see that the classroom is not just a place to transfer knowledge but a community where hearts are shaped. As theologian James K. A. Smith reminds us in You Are What You Love, our habits and practices shape our desires as much as our ideas shape our minds.
Teaching Christianly: Both What and How We Teach
Historically, Christian educators focused on presenting course content from a biblical worldview—filtering facts and theories through Scripture. That’s valuable, but it’s only part of the story.
Today, the conversation has expanded. Teaching Christianly means allowing faith to influence how we teach and structure learning experiences—not just what content we cover. It means cultivating classroom practices that help students love what God loves.
For example:
- A science teacher can invite students to marvel at creation and wrestle with questions about stewardship and wonder.
- A literature teacher can help students see how stories reveal the human longing for redemption.
- A math or grammar teacher—subjects that may seem “neutral”—can still cultivate habits of precision, perseverance, and grace.
The good news is that this approach fits every subject area and every teacher’s personality. There isn’t one formula for Christian teaching. The key question becomes:
How can everything my students experience in this classroom promote love for God and love for neighbor?
(Matthew 22:37–40)
When Faith Shapes Classroom Culture
Exploring this deeper level of integration has been both challenging and rewarding. Let me give two examples from my own teaching journey.
1. “Big Ideas” That Strengthen Faith
A former student once told me that my “Big Ideas” in science class helped save his faith in college. These were guiding questions about science and faith—designed not to “give answers” but to model faithful curiosity. They showed how Christians can think deeply and honestly about scientific truth without fear or compromise.
2. Extending Grace in Grading
In my Honors Physics class, I often told students that the goal wasn’t perfection but learning. Yet my grading didn’t reflect that message—I deducted points for every small error. Eventually, I realized that my teaching needed to mirror the grace of God. I made small adjustments that allowed students to recover points through reflection and correction.
The change was simple, but the impact was profound. Students began to experience both rigor and grace—a living picture of how God deals with us.
The Joy and Adventure of Teaching Christianly
Teaching Christianly is an ongoing adventure. It means continually asking how faith shapes every decision—from lesson design to assessment, from classroom culture to personal example.
It’s not about adding “Christian content” to our teaching, but about allowing the gospel to shape the entire learning experience. When we do this, our classrooms become transformative communities where students are not only informed but formed—learning to see the world, themselves, and others through the lens of Christ’s love.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Witwer served in K-12 Christian education for more than 40 years, teaching science and leading curriculum in four schools. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Christian Education at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Witwer continues to mentor teachers, pastors, and homeschooling parents in what it means to teach Christianly. Dr. Witwer recently published a book based on his experience in Christian education, entitled Teaching Christianly: A Brief Introduction for Teachers (Purposeful Design Publications, 2026, ISBN 978-1-58331-669-6).
The blog post was originally found on CurriculumTrak (now Atlas Curriculum Mapping)
