pg. 22 "...but during the learning process, their teachers help them continually connect the dots between the various academic disciplines and the external nature of God's truth." That is your role every day and in every subject!
pg. 24 - what values and and principles guide YOUR daily work with students?
pg. 26 - (Christian education) "it's all about applying biblical truths to all the philosophies and issues and challenges of our time so that our students will have hearts aflame with love for God and minds empowered by the truth of God." The only way this will happen is if we lead them along that path at every grade level and help them see the connection.
pg. 30-32 - the other great side of Christian schools: teachers who model it and live it
I highlighted the quote on p. 26 too. It is so important for our students to see us apply biblical truths and learn to do this themselves so they will have "hearts aflame with love for God"
ReplyDeletep.27 The Bible enlightens all of life....the question is how do we apply it?
p. 29 If you want your children to connect the dots between God's truth and every other topic, enroll them in christian school. Did my students learn to do this and did they see me model it to them? I hope so....
Great discussion is looking at how we model it for each subject/topic. It is interesting to listen to our kids at these reunions to hear about what they remember and why. Thanks
ReplyDeletepg 23, " our goal is to work with committed educators....to help students become 'thinking disciples' - disciples who connect the conviction that Jesus is Lord to the principles....that will then serve them throughout their lives." We as teachers need to be and live the integration ('committed educators')ourselves and then it becomes a natural part of us as teachers to speak and live it out in the classroom, on the field and in the lunchroom.
ReplyDeletep. 25 'worldview' I see this in the way Stacey handles the secular science texts. She doesn't hide the students from the theories of evolution, big bang or single cell, but helps the student understand them for what they are - man's theories while boldly and specifically teaching the truth of Biblical creation. I sometimes get to hear some discussions among the middle schoolers on this topic and some are able to verbally stand their ground on creation vs evolution. That is a direct result of intentional integration of faith into subject matter.
p. 26 ..."It's about applying Biblical truths to all..." I don't remember the author now, but as a college student I remember this phrase making such an impact on me: "ALL truth is GOD's truth where ever it may be found". (see also p. 28, ..."truth of every subject...") Think on that for a little...what a profound statement! God is truth, therefore ALL truth originates with Him and we are called as educators to teach TRUTH and live TRUTH and BE truth in all we teach. That is what sets Christian education apart from secular/public - we get to teach TRUTH without apology!
I love the freedom to weave God's truth into any and all that I teach and into the principles of a student's work ethic.
Okay, I will add my 2 cents.
ReplyDeletep. 22 'connecting the dots'- I had that underlined.
My first thoughts after reading chapter 2 were on how you, Mel, always preach integrating Christ into everything thing you teach and do. So I thought that really complimented what ch. 2 was saying. Someone gave me the book "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" which talks about the Holy Spirit enabling and impowering you to do your ministry(which for us is integrating Jesus into everything we teach and do). So we need to keep prayed up.
Also, the word 'enlighten' on page 27 jumped out at me since that is our theme this year. And then he quoted Psalm 119:105. To change one word in a line on page 28 "Christian schools are to enlighten students on a path of meaning and service in both this life and the next.
Interesting - we are trying to use that word (Enlighten) as our theme this year!
DeleteA few things I had not yet mentioned:
ReplyDeletepg 23- The comparison of secular education vs foundation of Christian schools. "Secular ed is based on a human being or the ideas of a human being...But the foundation of Christian schools is Jesus' life and message and the teaching of the Bible." This is important to make sure what we introduce in the classroom is led by the Lord. That we are not introducing secular practices because they are popular. Allowing Him to guide us to what meets the needs of our students because he knows them better than we do.
pg 26 - "Just think what God might do with 34 percent of the American population calling themselves evangelicals--if those evangelicals recaptured their first love, present a winsome witness, and do the good works God has prepared for us to do." This statement just makes you think. What would God do? I was challenged to make sure I am staying fresh, and not just the same old in my teaching and growing in position He has called me to as a teacher.
That's the challenge for all of us - especially those that have taught for along time - pray to be led by the Spirit and not by what we have always done.
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ReplyDeleteI think we are known for our giving to missions and charities. I believe our emphasis on giving to others is a powerful testimony to our students, families and community.
ReplyDeleteI also underlined something on page 22 "But the foundation of Christian schools is Jesus' life and message and the teaching of the Bible." which just emphasized to me the need for us as a school to intimately integrate our faith into EVERY subject.
ReplyDeleteIntegration of faith is what helps children embrace whatever subject they are learning. As a Spanish teacher, I teach many themes and integrate God's word through each theme, such as family, food and sports.
DeleteThe effectiveness of prayer before I start teaching, changes some of my students' demeanor and sets the proper tone for the rest of the class period. I have taught in various schools but I have noticed that prayer goes above and beyond at FMCS. Students are eager to ask our Lord for help not only for their families but for their friends as well, for world peace and safety, just to name a few.
I crossed out the phrase "Christian Schools" in the title and wrote in FMCS. I think that is the question we must answer. What's Christian about FMCS? As a staff, we must be able to answer this question, not only with our words but with our teaching methods.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of creating "thinking disciples" (pg 23) is a great way to view Christian education. That should be my goal. What am I doing to implement this goal?
On page 25 he talks about the fact that Christianity is growning in numbers but the majority of these Christian families are sending their children to secular schools. This is creating a secular worldview in the world of Christianity. The main concept that casues us to be set apart is the fact that our worldview is based on the bible and the teachings of Christ. We should not be a "do what feels right to you" society. In order to actually cultivate a biblical worldview in our students, we must not only have them memorize scripture but learn the practical application of scripture.
Unfortunately, many Christian schools are filled with wonderful Christ followers, but the teachers are not current. They are stuck in the routine of how education worked 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. If we want to create atmospheres where our children LOVE school and learning, then we have to step away from all of the "paper/pencil" work and step towards creating an environment of learning. Sitting in a desk all day and writing is NOT the way to do that.