The enterprise of Christian education must be understood within the context of the mission of the church in the world. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 gives the church the three-fold mandate of discipling the nations by the gospel; planting the church throughout the nations; and educating those who are discipled by the gospel; "teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you...." This makes Christian education essential to the Great Commission, not a project to be undertaken alongside of the Great Commission. If the church is not involved in Christian education it is being unfaithful to the mandate of her Lord and Savior.