“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
– Proverbs 22:36 (NIV)
Our Founders Built Schools That Honored God
From the very beginning, America’s Founders wove education and faith together, believing both were essential to a free and virtuous society. For them, literacy served a higher purpose: knowing the Word of God and applying it to every area of life. Education grounded in Scripture trained future leaders to govern, serve, and build society on a moral foundation.
Their vision shaped the very institutions that would define American learning for centuries. The earliest colleges in America did not shy away from faith—they placed it at the center:
- Harvard University, founded in 1636, carried the motto: Veritas pro Christo et Ecclesia—“Truth for Christ and the Church”
- Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth follo
wed suit, each established to train Christian ministers and preserve Biblical values in a growing republic - Of the first 108 colleges in America, 106 were founded by Christians to advance faith-based learning and develop moral leaders (Christian Heritage Fellowship).
These institutions were essential to building a moral, ordered, and free society.
For 150 Years, Schools Openly Taught the Bible
The Bible shaped not only our universities, but also the earliest forms of public Education in America. Scripture held a central place in the daily instruction of children, shaping their character as much as their intellect.
For 150 years, The New England Primer stood as the primary textbook in American schools. Introduced in Boston, this textbook shaped generations, grounding students in Scripture, moral character, and responsible Christian citizenship. Literacy was not just for worldly success; it was essential for understanding the Bible and applying Biblical principles to daily life. The Primer included the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, and hymns that reinforced Biblical truth, establishing it as the foundation of American education.
The Primer reminded every child that their rights came from God—not from any king, government, or man. This was intentional. Early Americans believed that if a child could read the Bible—then they could live by it, lead with it, and help preserve liberty for the next generation.
Restore the Foundation, Reclaim the Future of Education
The Great Awakening Project brings together Biblically aligned leaders in Education and hosts monthly collaborative calls designed to unify, equip, and mobilize those restoring a Biblical worldview to Education. These calls connect educators, school board members, policy experts, parents, and faith leaders to develop actionable strategies that impact curriculum, policy, and community engagement.
To restore a nation, we must restore the truth that formed the foundation of American Education.
