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How do the concepts discussed in this lesson apply to your work in your classroom?
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I am no longer teaching but in a school counseling capacity. Within my role I work closely with students in emotionally, academically and spiritually. These concepts permeate every area from what SEL curriculum I choose to their education development plan to working with them therapeutically. Every area of invest in must point to Christ and does address each of these questions quite literally. Each decision I make should educate students are these very questions: Who is Jesus? Who is God? Who am I? What is my purpose? In my role, each vision plan, each interaction, etc should answer these questions in such a way that there is eternity impact.
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As a language teacher, my first thought would be to train students to share the gospel in their missions or travels. However, it took me to my 40’s to truly digest the fact that “I was made in the image of God, and my life has purpose and God is MY Father.” I spent many years holding on to a lower self-esteem and envisioning these descriptions to be more applicable other people around but not as much for myself. I think part of my job is to pass this encouragement onto my students first in as many ways possible in the hopes that it would empower them to go out in the world and to share these ideas and the gospel with confidence.
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The concepts raised by the big questions in this lesson:
– Who am I?
– Where did I come from?
– Where am I going?
– What is the meaning of life?
Help me better articulate my biblical Christian worldview and align it to the context of my work. As a school leader who has taken time to reflect on and answer the big questions, I can better fit my teachers and our students within God’s redemptive plan for us all. To acknowledge that we are all created by God, with unique gifts and talents to fulfill His purpose, allows me to view every member of my school community with God’s love. I can love others unconditionally because He loves us and seeks to rescue us from the dominion of sin. My inward gaze and self-knowledge, once anchored in Christ, empower me to do the hard work of educating others as an investment into their lives.
Best regards,
AB-J. -
Our influence makes a huge impact on our students daily lives. Knowing who we are in Jesus makes it easier for us to teach students who they are in Jesus.
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The concepts discussed in Lesson 2 The Big Questions of Life influence my work as an educator by serving as reminders of why I choose to follow the path into becoming a teacher that I knew God was leading me down. Honestly, I had never envisioned myself as a teacher. In fact, I initially despised the thought of it! There have been so many times , especially while working in the public school system, that I felt unworthy of the calling. I have often doubted or second guessed the decision to take the leap to transitioning into a life as an educator. I, like Peter, knew that I loved Jesus ,but my poor attitude and lack of motivation due to the stress and demands left me declaring a different story.
It was my continual prayer and requests for God’s mercy and grace that got me through some of the toughest moments of being in the classroom. Knowing and believing that God knew me and made me on purpose , and had placed me where he wanted me was a encouraging reminder that kept me moving forward. He reminded me that I was in the classroom with these children to not merely teach them science lessons ,but to show God’s love and purpose for them through me. I was their teacher because God knew my heart and he knew what they needed as well. I will be the first to admit that I have not always been the most organized, calm, put together person. In fact, in the beginning I really struggled with why God had lead me into the education field.
Now that I am a more seasoned teacher, and a more mature Christian, my view on my life and my role in it have changed. In fact, my reliance on the Word in answering the Big Questions I have about life and my purpose here in this world, has allowed me the freedom to truly trust him. I have learned how to rely on his understanding rather than my own, especially when faced with tough challenges. This in turn has helped me to develop more clarity and wisdom in determining what is most important in the classroom. I believe it has also shown me how to be the type of teacher that can better show my students the importance of allowing God to be in control and how living a Christian life can impact not only their academic endeavors, but their spiritual and emotional growth as well. As a Christian educator I have a very special opportunity. I get to teach my students not only about a better life with science ,but more importantly, about a great life with God.
