ACSI Europe has been exploring the concept of 21st Century Skills in several conferences and workshops over the past couple years (i.e.: Romanian Teacher Conference, October 2017). Of course, these skills have been needed and valued skills in previous generations, but they have now come into high focus based on recent educational research and the demands of a global economy and workforce. What are these skills? They have been referred to as the "4 C's: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Creativity".

These skills have foundations in a biblical worldview and have contributed greatly to the influence of Christian thought on modern society and education. Take critical thinking, as an example. As we celebrate 500 years of the Protestant Reformation in 2017, we can remember Martin Luther and many other reformers who paid a high price to make the Truth of God's Word available to the common people in their own native language. [1] The Church had carefully guarded access the the holy Scriptures because they believed that only the priests and those with theological training were equipped to read and interpret the Scriptures. [2] Many people could not read in those days and were not trained to question the positions of the Church on matters of theology or politics. Access to the Scriptures in their own language meant that they needed to learn to read and were encouraged to develop their own views and ideas. Of course this led to conflict as well as reform, but we are still living with the impact of those Reformation ideas.

Looking now at the scope of history and the current trends in culture and education, we see a new need for developing critical thinking skills. These skills must be based on a foundation of truth and not a shifting and often contradictory culture of relativistic morality and hyper-individualism. As people try to convice us of the 'rightness' of their particular worldview or perspectives, we need a guide, a rule, with which to measure and evaluate those claims. Critical thinking was formed in the context of a biblical worldview because it provides the basis for that measurement - a universal and timeless set of truths that are a sure standard in the seas of cultural change.

Our responsibility as educators in a Christian school is more than just preparing students to "think well" and certainly it is more than preparing them for employment in our society. Our task is a spiritual calling of training and discipleship that connects them to truth and an eternal purpose in the Person of Christ. We should be at the forefront of quality education and enabling our students to function at their full potential in order to be used for the blessing of others in their relationships and in their work environments. God has called us to the work of restoration and healing. Of course that begins in the heart as we experience His grace and forgiveness, but it is carried out in the little tasks of everyday life. Dr. Stephen Kaufmann refers to this as "the little picture view of restoration".

All this happens because of a right relationship between us and God and then a clear and purposeful carrying out of His plan of restoration in our world. “Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1: 16b,17) This is a proper theology of work which was reinforced by the writings and practice of the Reformers. They believed that the life and work of the carpenter and the housewife was just as valuable as the work of the priest. 

Recently, the Center for Work Ethic Development published an online comparison of "The Top 10 Skills Employers are Looking for". This list compares the top 10 skills from 2010 with the list from 2015. It is interesting to see the shifting priorities here, but the "4 C's" come again into focus in this context. Take a look at the top 4 and how they are defined:

Number 4. Critical thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment, that which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Take this quiz for some thinking cap questions.

Number 3. People management

Most of us have had supervisors who were good at their jobs, but not good at managing people. Many organizations don’t look at the ability of the applicant to manage people; instead, the focus is on the ability to do the job itself.

Number 2. Coordinating with others

Coordination is vital to working in any kind of team environment. The ability to pick up on cues and predict others’ behavior, plan and communicate are key in working with others. Very few jobs involve little to no collaboration with others.

Number 1. Complex problem solving

The Journal of Problem Solving defines this the process by which humans solve the many problems they have to face in everyday life that are quite complex, involving multiple goals as well as many possible actions that could be considered.

Some people might describe these skills as "just good skills for life" and I would agree. But these skills must be cultivated and practiced in a context of support before they can be implemented on a consistent basis. How are you promoting these skills in your classroom? How are you measuring the growth of your students in these areas? I want my students to be fully prepared to carry out God's call on their lives and it is my calling to help prepare them while they are in my classroom.

Footnotes

1. "Perhaps the most well-known instance of restriction on vernacular Scripture is Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel’s 1409 constitutions against Wycliffite translation. Article 7 of Arundel’s constitutions forbade making or owning copies of Wycliffe’s translation, and prohibited owning other vernacular translations without diocesan permission. [15] Gow notes that “[T]he possession of vernacular Bible translation had been ‘illegal, dangerous and ultimately fatal’ for many, and this is true for fifteenth-century England. It is not exactly untrue even for the Continent [16] The councils of Toulouse (1229), Trier (1231), Tarragona (1233), and Béziers (1246) likewise prohibited vernacular translation to varying degrees." (regensburgforum.com, paragraph 8, accessed on Nov. 9, 2017)

2. The modern Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "It is the task of exegetes to work, according to these rules, towards a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture in order that their research may help the Church to form a firmer judgement. For, of course, all that has been said about the manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgement of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and ministry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God." (www.vatican.va, Article 119, accessed on Nov. 9, 2017) Of course, current practice in the Catholic Church is generally to encourage personal Scripture reading and study.

3.  Kaufmann, S. 2008, First the Foundation, Budapest, Hungary, ACSI Europe.

About the Author

Paul Madsen is passionate about developing cross-cultural ministry relationships which will impact young people and their understanding of God’s call on their lives. He completed studies in Bible/Theology and Music from Vennard College and a Master of Music Education degree from the Univ. of Nebraska. In 2012, after 14 years of teaching at ECA in Spain, Paul and Ellie moved to Hungary with their 2 boys. Paul develops professional resources, provides training for both teachers and students and directs the annual Student Leadership Conference.