Dear Parents:

There is an enormous difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. It is something like the difference between a lightning bug (a firefly) and lightning itself. The phrases may sound similar, but the realities are worlds apart.

Jesus defined eternal life in remarkably personal terms: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Christianity is more than knowing the teachings of Jesus. It is more than believing correct doctrines about Jesus. It is even more than trying to follow the example of Jesus. Christianity is knowing Jesus Himself.

When we look at the life of Christ, we discover what such a relationship looks like. Jesus lived in continual communion with His Father. He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30), and, “the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10). His teaching, His ministry, His victories over temptation—everything flowed from His relationship with His Father.

Mark gives us a beautiful glimpse of this life. After an exhausting Sabbath of teaching, healing, and ministering to the crowds in Capernaum, Jesus arose “a great while before day” and went alone to pray (Mark 1:35). His communion with His Father was not simply one religious activity among many. His life was saturated with the presence of God.

Then Jesus said something extraordinary to His disciples: “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). The relationship Jesus enjoyed with His Father is the pattern for our relationship with Him. We are invited to live in continual communion with Christ. His Word is to dwell within us. His thoughts increasingly shape our thoughts. His Spirit guides our decisions, changes our attitudes, and transforms our character. Christ ceases to be merely Someone we study and becomes a living Savior dwelling within us. This is the movement we seek for our young people at Heritage Academy.

A student can attend Bible class every day and learn a great deal about Jesus. A student can attend worship, memorize Scripture, understand our doctrines, participate in outreach, and learn how a Christian ought to live. All of those things are important. But none of them, by themselves, constitute the Christian life.

We want something infinitely greater. We want our young people to know Jesus. We want them to discover how to open the Scriptures and hear His voice speaking to them personally. We want them to learn to commune with Him throughout the day. We want them to recognize the voice of His Spirit, to turn to Him when they are tempted, to seek Him when they are confused, and to experience His presence when they are alone. We want Christ to become the center around which their lives revolve.

Jesus illustrated this experience through the parable of the treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44). A man suddenly discovered something of such extraordinary value that everything else became secondary. The value of what he found surpassed that of everything he had, so he sold all to buy the field. In the same way, a young person may grow up surrounded by Christianity and yet never discover the Treasure, which is knowing Jesus. He may know the stories, the doctrines, and the expectations without personally discovering the beauty of Christ.

But when a young person truly comes to know Jesus, everything changes. Christianity is no longer a collection of requirements imposed from the outside. Christ lives within. Obedience flows from love. The Scriptures become His voice. Prayer becomes communion. Service becomes the outward expression of Christ’s love dwelling within.

That is the education we seek to provide at Heritage Academy. We certainly want our students to learn about Jesus. But far more than that, we want them to know Him.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” —John 17:3

Blessings,

Doug Baker

Principal