"No one is ever instructed by means of truth, but by means of affections of truth."
~Secrets of Heaven 3066
New Church Education cultivates the
heart (affections), head (intelligence), and hands (actions).
All three must be involved in a good Christian life, as Jesus teaches:
"He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." ~Matthew 13:23
"Love has service as its goal... love tends toward service... love brings about service through wisdom." ~Divine Love and Wisdom 297
"Charity is nothing without faith. Faith is nothing without charity. Charity and faith are nothing without good actions, but in the form of actions they become something." ~True Christian Religion 387[4]
How do we nurture all three?
Children must know they are safe and loved. Their affections are developed through models of caring, innocence, excitement, and curiosity. This makes us want to know and do what is good. We lean into each child's affections to motivate their learning.
Memorizing the 10 Commandments, reading the Word, and learning about the Lord's creation through a spiritual lens builds a robust mind that can support spiritual growth. We meet each child where they are developmentally and academically to find the most effective path forward.
"By their fruits you will know them." Students have daily chores to build habits of improving their community and develop their love of usefulness. They are encouraged in spontaneous efforts to help others. We enforce orderly behavior and guide children into greater self-awareness and self-discipline.
"I can`t imagine a more nurturing environment for young minds." ~ Parent, 2025
"I like that people are real and attentive to what matters." ~ Parent, 2019
"I would not trade my child's time there for anything. He is more confident and prepared than ever before." ~ Parent, 2025