'Christ-centered' is different from a 'Christian' when it comes to learning models. Here we consider the difference and how Portals can help you to build a distinct Christ-centered learning experience. 

 

The industrial mass-instruction model of learning requires common lessons, textbooks, worksheets, and mass-assessment tools. These aren't the key to great education and in fact actually limit the goal to raise our children in the way of the Lord. Yet many Christians seeking to provide a better education for their children simply assume that this is the only way to learn!  So they take an industrial worldly curriculum, add devotions in the morning, and call it a Christian education. If you want a Christ-centered learning model, then use Christ-centered curriculum. 

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Portals is a program that is Christ-centered in more than name alone—one in which spiritual life is given as much attention as academic disciplines, if not more. With Portals you will be discussing God in every subject area. Every course has ministry and discipleship activities so that they don't see a line between subjects and their faith. Every lesson leans on a conversation with you, not a worksheet.  Assessment itself is rooted in relationship, not quizzes. 

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In the Beginning, God…

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We suggest starting each day with Bible study and provide lesson plans to support this practice each morning. We begin with the assumption that God exists, that He has spoken to humanity, and that Jesus is the incarnate God who fulfills the Law and the Prophets—each pointing to God’s plan for our salvation. (You can review our Statement of Faith for additional detail.) If this is true, then everything we do should first glorify Him.

Accordingly, each day begins with a passage to read, discuss, and complete a project around.

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“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess…”

 -Deuteronomy 6:1 NKJV

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Whole Counsel

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Your Portals Bible curriculum includes both the Old and New Testaments, with a goal of reading the Bible in its entirety two times--elementary and secondary. You will learn and grow alongside your children -- with your children. All Christian children should be exposed to the whole counsel of God’s Word.  As parents or a faith community, you should be the one to teach them! 

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“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” -Acts 20:27 NKJV

 

Throughout their learning journey, students engage Scripture through text, audio, video, and hands-on projects that are developmentally appropriate. You'll have lessons for reciting, memorizing, reading, and completing projects centered on the Bible itself. These non-denominational resources are designed to equip you to guide your students within your own faith traditions with scripture as your foundation. 

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Christian Worldview

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All subject areas belong to Him. No matter the discipline, the search for truth is a search to understand God’s Word, God’s Creation, God’s Plan, and God’s Will. We integrate a Christian worldview across all subjects, for all ages, throughout the curriculum. The Bible speaks to history, science, literature, and life itself; therefore, it is—and must be—part of every subject area in Portals learning.

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“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  -2 Tim. 3:16

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An education should be unafraid of age appropriate discussions around any topic. You can study difficult issues and alternative perspectives openly and without fear, alongside the wisdom God has given us. Literature selections include noble heroes and models of faith that demonstrate Christian character and its development over the course of a sacred journey. Science is a celebration of God's design. Math wonders at God's order and Truth. History looks at the generational conflict between good and evil. As the students get older, you can take on more challenging texts and ones influencing our generations issues and debates. ​

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Ministry

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Service is an essential part of learning. If your child completes thirteen years of education without learning the value and importance of service, (actually making time for it), why would we expect them to begin on their own afterward? The Christian life is a path toward service. We show them the way they should go. While we are not saved by works, our works testify to the world that we are redeemed and renewed by the Spirit of God. They will know us by our love.

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“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” -​Rom. 2:13

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Our curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for service that grow in scope and responsibility as students mature—ranging from simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness,  to participation in church ministries and projects that support the sharing of the Good News.

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​“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” -James 1:22

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You'll also find a "Share" button on every lesson to invite non-Portals friends and family to join you in spiritual mentorship. Your curriculum choice matters when it comes to ministry! 

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Time

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The busyness of life often crowds out the things of God. Rendering to God what is God’s frequently requires intentionally making time for Him. This is not good. God didn't design children  to be anxious, overwhelmed, or passive. A curriculum that plans for long days and seat time simply isn't one that regards God's creation and how he designed humans to thrive. To mimic industrial schedules, is to create adopt an ungodly use of time. We are not preparing children for factories, we are preparing them for a fruitful life.   

 

By design, the structure of Portals—including Project Time and Fridays—allows you flexibility to glorify God through lifestyle, service, spiritual disciplines, or prayer. You can strike a balance between seat time and hands-on time. You will also notice that one of our project categories is ministry--integrating time for spiritual service in every subject area. You have a learning plan that intentionally plans less busywork in order to make time for relationships.​

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” - Luke 6:12

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An education is incomplete if it does not leave room for God. Consider where the curriculum directs your time, if it provides ideas and activities as part of your learning for service. 

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Flexibility

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The flexibility of Portals allows you to build upon these elements in ways that align with you church, traditions, and convictions. We provide prompts and guidance to help you confidently teach students in the way they should go, while giving you the freedom to try, adapt, or skip suggested activities. You are their first spiritual mentor! Your curriculum should equip you to disciple.  

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​“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  -Prov. 22:6 NKJV

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If you want your children to grow up and think for themselves, does your curriculum allow significant choices? If you want them to have work-life balance, do you show that to them in their schooling? If children are to seek answers from the Word, then why do we look to governments for highly structured (and failing) learning models? 

 

A Christ-centered learning model, is built on mentorship/discipleship, conversations, and flexible time. We are not just to read and quiz--we are to Read, Think, and Do. That is Christ-centered in design. You will never be without meaningful ideas for engaging spiritual discussions with Portals.

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Christ-Centered 

Christ-centered education is far more than a morning devotion or starting class with a prayer. It is a fully integrated, multi-modal, multi-subject approach that intentionally creates time and space for parents and teachers to guide students on a genuine journey of faith--while not taking away their flexibility to customize training to your families denominational bent. 

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Christ-centered education has been the dominant educational approach throughout nearly 2,000 years of Christian history and education. The concept of separating God from a child’s learning is a relatively modern idea, shaped largely by secular influences.