Paideia: A transfer of a way of life.
Ephesians 6:4 uses the Greek term “paideia” when calling Christian fathers to bring up their children in the “paideia” and instruction of the Lord.
MCS Educational Paideia:
Madison Christian School seeks to transfer a gospel-centered way of life through timeless content for eternal purposes.
Classical Christian Education is about cultivating a certain kind of person; we describe this person in our Portrait of a Graduate. The ancients called this “cultivating” paideia. It is difficult to translate the term paideia into English as it means so much more than just instruction or teaching. To enculturate is close. G.K. Chesterton described it as the transfer of a way of life.
Our paideia seeks to transfer a gospel-centered way of life through timeless content for eternal purposes. “Timeless content,” that's classical. “Eternal purposes,” there's the Christian vision.
Jesus says in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” A disciple will become like his teacher. An apprentice will become like his master. A student will become like what they behold. You will imitate the people or things you spend time with. As Proverbs 13:20 states, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”