-
Share one or two ways you embed biblical principles in your lessons. If you don’t already do so, describe how a teacher you know does it.
-
I know our Spanish teacher consistently teaches students verses in scripture in Spanish. Students are learning the language and memorizing scripture at the same time.
-
When reading a portion of Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, each student writes a reflection on perfection – according to the Word, can this be attained in their life? As a class, students and teacher discuss what perfection is, what that means to a follower of Christ, and some Bible passages that discuss it. Students then read some of Franklin’s Almanack and with a partner create a Power Point presentation choosing one wise saying from the Almanack and the verse or verses that relate to it. During the presentations, students and teacher discuss the Word. Students write a personal reflection on one wise saying and verse pair and why it is important to them for their lives.
-
In fifth grade we have embedded a social emotional curriculum as part of their weekly elective. This has been a game changer as students had time to ask questions and be guided on biblical principals.
-
God uses math to help us make sense of the universe. We come back to this often.
-
We actively pray for wisdom and understanding before and after lessons as well as whenever they’re in conflict during decision-making.
Students have been taught that wisdom is a spiritual principle – providing revelation from the Lord of more than “the facts only” of a situation or circumstance (i.e. Solomon’s assessment and ability to discern the true mother of the deceased baby). It is so delightful to hear students excitedly acknowledge when they’ve gained particular insight into a conflict or recalled content from previous academic studies that are needed to complete current classwork, homework or assessments.
It’s also joyful and personally rewarding to witness them taking the pressure(s) off of themselves during these varied experiences. While they might not initially always remember to ask for wisdom on their own – when gently reminded to do so – it’s fulfilling to watch them “seek the Lord, acknowledge and trust Him, instead of solely attempting to lean upon their own understanding”.
Recently a student was in poor behavior mode. In total frustration, I asked rhetorically, “Help me to help you. What can I do to help you???” To my surprise, their response was to earnestly plead, “Pray for wisdom!” My initial response was stunned silence. My next response was to indeed pray for wisdom about the situation, but with an extra dose of humility.