Is There Any Point to High School or Even College?

[Christ,] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)

Today’s big question: is there any point to high school or even college?

I remember teaching a Sunday school class one day with a group of high school age guys who weren’t particularly fond of being there. Though they were willing to accept many parts of what the Bible said (though not necessarily to obey), they were looking to justify their hatred for school and learning in general. But does the Bible say anything related to high school or even college? Is it wrong to drop out? Is there any precedence in Scripture for learning?

Though Scripture does not specifically mention high school and college since those are modern institutions, it contains many references to the importance of gaining knowledge and wisdom. You will learn some of this knowledge and wisdom from your parents, school, and personal experiences, and ideally, you will learn most from or confirm in the Bible.

One good way to view school (whether public school, homeschooling, college, etc.) is to see the importance for us as human beings and certainly as Christians to gain knowledge of God’s world around us. Then we may be good stewards of everything He has given us (Genesis 1:28).

The Bible also points to attaining knowledge and wisdom as a means to avoid becoming a fool (Proverbs 17:16, 24; 28:26). Learning should be a pursuit for all Christians, but wisdom and knowledge should never become a point of pride. Christians may become proud of how much knowledge they have over someone else instead of exercising that knowledge in love to build up fellow believers (1 Corinthians 8:1). From an unbeliever, arrogance about one’s knowledge is almost expected, but as Christians, we are held to a high standard of humility (1 Corinthians 2). Rather than boast in our knowledge, we should always boast in Christ (Galatians 6:14). Our ultimate pursuit should be to know Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Education is important and it is something God values.

To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching;
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck. (Proverbs 1:2–9, NASB)

Today’s big idea: education is important in the attainment of knowledge and wisdom.

What to pray: ask God to give you the desire to continually seek knowledge and wisdom that glorifies Him.