Among Christian educators, the topic of social-emotional learning (SEL) consistently produces strong—and often opposite—reactions.
Some leaders instinctively resist it. For them, SEL feels like secular jargon layered over concepts that Scripture already addresses. If Christian schools are grounded in biblical truth, why import outside frameworks?
Others embrace SEL because they’ve seen its practical benefits, particularly those who previously worked in public education. Yet many later realize that they have adopted language, assumptions, and practices without fully examining the worldviews underlying them.
This adoption surfaces in subtle but revealing ways throughout school culture. Hallway posters that use common SEL language encourage students to “Follow your heart,” “Believe in yourself,” or “Be the best version of you.” While meant to be encouraging, these messages can subtly convey a view of identity and authority rooted in the self rather than in Christ.
Christian educators are left asking an important question: Should we reject SEL outright, adopt it without question, or pursue a more intentionally biblical approach?
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Christian schools are uniquely positioned to shape students—academically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
The hesitation many Christian leaders feel toward SEL is not unfounded. Much of the mainstream SEL movement is shaped by assumptions about human nature, identity, and flourishing that are rooted in secularism and inconsistent with a biblical worldview. Some worry that adopting SEL principles could subtly shift schools toward secular individualism, minimizing discipleship language or even biblical teachings (such as the fruit of the Spirit).
At the same time, schools face undeniable realities that impact everyday learning. There is an increasing pressure to help students navigate anxiety, identity confusion, relational conflict, and cultural instability. So many students carry burdens shaped by family instability and cultural brokenness that teachers often find themselves navigating emotional and relational situations with limited training or support.
Christian schools face a false choice if they believe their only options are rejection or uncritical adoption.
A faithful path requires discernment—carefully evaluating developmental insights through the authority of Scripture and the mission of Christian formation.
This past month, a group of educators gathered together for a Summit roundtable with Dr. Tyler Groves, head of school and co-author of Growing with One Another: Social & Emotional Learning in Christian Perspective. The group discussed SEL practices in their schools, and Dr. Groves unpacked some of the most powerful principles of SEL for Christian educators. No matter the role, every person working in Christian schools must consider what the Bible says about our social and emotional nature.
A Biblical Worldview of Social-Emotional Formation
At its core, social-emotional formation addresses how human beings grow in self-understanding, emotional regulation, relationships, and decision-making. When viewed through a biblical lens, these are not modern inventions but reflections of God’s design for human flourishing as image-bearers.
A helpful starting point is to examine the five SEL domains and consider how Scripture already addresses these realities.
Self-Awareness
Scripture consistently calls believers to honest self-examination before God. Psalm 139 models this posture: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”
Biblical self-awareness begins not with autonomous self-discovery but with recognizing one’s identity, sin, gifts, and limitations in light of God’s character and truth.
A biblical worldview says, “I am who God says I am.” Therefore, truth must be rooted in God rather than in personal feelings.
Self-Management
In biblical terms, self-management is about practicing Christ-likeness during emotional responses. The New Testament emphasizes the transformation of our desires and actions through the work of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit—particularly self-control—reflects a disciplined response shaped by submission to Christ rather than personal impulse or desire.
Social Awareness
Scripture repeatedly calls believers to consider the needs and perspectives of others. Philippians 2 instructs believers to value others above themselves, reflecting Christ’s humility and sacrificial love. Biblical social awareness cultivates empathy grounded in biblical truth and the understanding that we are called to honor the image of God in all people.
Relationship Skills
The “one another” commands throughout the New Testament provide a comprehensive framework for relational maturity. Believers are called to love, forgive, encourage, bear burdens, and pursue unity. These commands move relational skills beyond conflict management toward covenantal community.
Responsible Decision-Making
Wisdom literature emphasizes discernment, moral reasoning, and choosing what is good, true, and beautiful.
Christian decision-making involves aligning choices with God’s revealed truth as the standard for objective right and wrong.
Believers also recognize that decisions have consequences that matter to God and impact others.
While Scripture does not use the modern terminology of SEL, it clearly addresses the developmental realities SEL attempts to describe. The question is not whether Christian schools should engage social and emotional formation, but how they can do so faithfully.
Moving Forward Faithfully
Christian schools need not fear social-emotional formation, nor should they uncritically adopt secular models. Instead, they have the opportunity to reclaim and reframe these conversations from within a biblical worldview.
When approached biblically, social and emotional growth becomes part of holistic spiritual formation. Students learn not merely to regulate emotions or navigate relationships but to love God, love others, and grow into Christlike maturity. They learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to make wise choices and to relate with others in ways that reflect biblical ideals.
The task before Christian educators is not simply program selection but worldview clarity. With careful discernment, intentional training, and biblical grounding, schools can develop approaches to our students’ emotional and social formation that meet real student needs while remaining anchored in God’s truth.
By Dr. Maggie Pope