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What are some ways you can apply the concepts learned in this lesson in your classroom?
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Previously, I tried to incorporate Bible verses into selected lessons. Now, I am inspired to make a Biblical story, or chapter, or book the basis of an entire unit. Throughout the unit, connecting back to the story, deepening understanding, and helping the student make connections to other areas of their life.
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I can specifically apply these concepts as it is described in 2 Timothy…. when life’s big questions arise, when reproof and correction are necessary in the classroom, and in instruction in righteousness. This doesn’t always mean students will like the instruction, but because I love them, I will refer to God’s truth, graciously telling them what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear. I can exhibit joy no matter how difficult certain days might be, and when correction is needed, I can remember the example Christ leaves for us…. to provide correction lovingly, without being harsh or manipulative.
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I can see that Dr. Ellen thinks it is important to teach all the books of the Bible, and I agree with her because if we pick and choose, we might wrongly emphasize the books that are more in line to our likings and neglect some books which are also important. I once taught Bible at a school and they asked me to teach Revelation to 7th graders. At first I thought that was absurd, that they would never understand it, let alone me understand it. But it was so beautiful. We used to take turns reading it, verse by verse a chapter at a time. The students were awestruck at times. They really saw the divinity of Jesus in that book. And I would have neglected it if I was left to my own choice.
Now I do not teach Bible as a subject, but I can still ‘come alongside my students to help them construct a belief system’ by challenging their ideas with biblical events. Or I could ask students to read some literature and then a passage of Scripture and compare the two. I can also try to have a balance approach so that I do not only talk about God’s love and forgiveness but that I balance it with his justice and holiness. It might be beneficial to focus on one of God’s attributes each week and make connections to the Bible and literature we are reading. -
There are many ways that I can apply the concepts learned in this lesson in my classroom. First, incorporating biblical truth into all of my lessons allows students to see God in their everyday lives. It connects the truth of scripture to them personally. Secondly, teaching a bible course and incorporating memory verses helps a student renew their mind as they grow in Christ or exposes a student to the truth of Christ for the first time. Thirdly, having a centrality of scripture gives perspective in how I interact with parents. If I need to inform a parent of a discipline issue scripture informs me to speak truth but it needs to be done with grace, and love. And if I am dealing with an unkind parent the same principal applies.
If I find myself in a public school teaching the centrality of scripture is something that I am not allowed to do. But having a personal foundation of scripture in my life still informs me of how I can engage my students, fellow co-workers, and parents. I can offer a different way of engaging and loving one another.
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There are several small ways I try to apply the concept of keeping Scripture a central part of my classroom. One way is through our time management. Any teacher knows that sometimes time gets away from your or an assembly disrupts the day and inevitably you have to skip a subject that day. I am very intentional that we never skip our Bible lesson on days like this. So many times I have students who skip church every Sunday because they have ball games. In my classroom, I want to teach them that Scripture (Bible course in this instance) is more important than anything.
Another way I keep Scripture central to my course is by reading it straight from the bible with my students. Many times the curriculum wants me to read a small passage from Scripture and then expand on that as my lesson, but I’ve found my students really enjoy reading the whole chapter (or more) as a course. They look forward to finding out what happens next in our Old Testament study. I find this a wonderful way to teach students how to read straight Scripture and find enjoyment and learning from that.