Global Christian Schools Network Vevey, October 2012. WELCOME: Luc Bussière GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

History and Inspiration II Kings 13: 20-21 Elisha died, and they buried him. Now groups of Moabite soldiers would come and fight in the land in the spring of the year. 21 As a man was being buried, some Moabite soldiers were seen, so the man was thrown into Elisha’s grave. When the man touched the bones of Elisha, he came alive and stood up on his feet. GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

The stones shall cry out! Geneva The city of Geneva Calvin’s Academy: The stones shall cry out! Pr 1. 7 « The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge » GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

4 Pillars for Christian Education : Compassion as the highest motivator. A strong vision for education. Christ as the Word of God at the center of the educational process. Total commitment.

1. Compassion as the highest motivator. The beginning of Christian education in Europe started with a cry. Jeremiah 2: 11-12  My eyes become weak from crying. My spirit is very troubled. My heart is poured out in sorrow, because my people have been destroyed, and because children and babies fall down weak in the city streets. 12 They cry to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” as they fall down weak in the city streets like a man hurt in battle and as they die in their mothers’ arms. Mark 6:34  When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw many people gathered together. He had loving-pity for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things. GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

2. A strong vision for Christian education Jules Michelet (French historian) : « SCHOOL is the first word of the Reformation and the most important one. » Grosperrin (French Historian) : « These reformed schools impacted the society more than anything else. » GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Martin Luther 1483-1546 « If I had to stop preaching, I would consider it a great honor to become a headmaster or a teacher instead.» GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Martin Luther: « Educate the people, and above all, develop their spirits! Raise up a Christian people  permeated by the Gospel ! It is the only way that a nation can be saved! » The goal of Protestant schools : Raise up captains and generals in the war against the enemy! GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Pastor, Theologian & Educational Reformer Jean Calvin 1509-1564 Pastor, Theologian & Educational Reformer GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Famous Quotes: « The church has never flourished without schools. » « All good instruction starts on the basis of faith. » «Bring me some wood and I will send you back arrows. » GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

The First Alphabet book GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Le premier ABC GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

3. Christ as the Word of God at the center of the educational process. Mathurin Cordier: 1479-1564 « Do you want your role as teacher to be light? Start with good morals and habits. Start with God and His heavenly treasures, leaning on His strength and not on your own. Teach children to love Jesus Christ doing everything as a service of worship to bring Him glory. » (Preface of De Corrupti Sermonis Emandatione, 1530) GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Christian faith permeates all of reality. Colossians 1:16 «  16 Christ made everything in the heavens and on the earth. He made everything that is seen and things that are not seen. He made all the powers of heaven. Everything was made by Him and for Him.  » Matthew 28: 18-20 «  18 Jesus came and said to them, “All power has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

4. Total commitment French students at the Geneva Academy gave their lives for the Gospel. French Protestant teachers chose to give up their freedom or to die instead of teaching without the Word of God. GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière

Isaiah 58:12  And your cities which were destroyed long ago will be built again. You will set up the stones of the bases of the old buildings. You will be called “the one who builds again the broken walls, and who makes the streets on which people live like new.” Isaiah 61: 1-4 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,     because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities  that have been devastated for generations. GCSN. Vevey 2012. Luc Bussière