RenewCast

While much of RenewEd's work to help teachers be better equipped to teach from an unapologetically gospel-centered, Christian perspective, we know that it's important to provide examples of what it looks like to apply parts of RenewEd's worldview framework to specific lessons.

Not only does a well-developed theology of personhood enable us to respect the dignity of all people and provide a solid foundation for a key aspect of a biblical worldview, but Host Noah Brink helps us understand how it gives us the tools to combat childhood anxiety - both as Christian educators and Christian parents.

"Christian Worldview" or "Biblical Worldview" might be one of the most overused and (as a result) misunderstood phrases spoken within Christian education circles. But because the notion behind the phrase is central to the life of the Christian school, we should continue to use it, but with greater precision and clarity. That's the goal - to bring about greater clarity and move our schools (and their surrounding communities) toward greater consistency in our use of this vital concept. #christianworldview #christianeducation

Students matter. Of course, they do. But, we ought to have an unwavering answer why that must be so - not only for today, but in all contexts. The Third of RenewEd's Worldview Categories asks how our communities celebrate the fullness of the nature of God in people. A well-developed philosophy of Christian education requires a clear, biblical understanding of what it means to be human. And, that foundation provides the context for how we think about every single aspect of education.

Our children need the Boundaries, Motivation, and Celebration that setting meaningful milestones before them can create. It helps them to see where they've come (and learn from it and recognize what they've achieved), be grounded where they are presently, and nurture a healthy dose of what to work and look toward. These milestones are one of the most tangible ways to create a structure that fights our culture's tendency toward entitlement and anxiety.

If your school were to narrow Christianity down to its simplest form using a handful of words, how clearly would you see those words tangibly lived out throughout your school? Host Noah Brink discusses a practical way to bring our school community together to foster greater clarity in alignment with our Christian commitments.

What if our schools did a better job of working together! Of course, it assumes that we do a better job of holding true to our distinctives, form partnerships that expand the interest of our communities in Christian schooling, and work with our local churches in strategic ways. If we could move in this direction, we can do a better job of engaging our entire communities and reflecting a fuller view of Christ's Kingdom to the onlooking world.

The fifth question of our worldview grid asks the question: How do we view our school and all things in light of God's original intent? Having a well thought-out worldview requires that we consider how God intended all things to be and then to live in pursuit of that. So, it's vital that we get in the habit of aiming toward a school program which honors what God would have always desired for the ways we should learn.

The resurrection of Jesus is the platform for everything Christians have to offer the world and is certainly the foundation for a truly Christian education. Host Noah Brink discusses the implications of the resurrection - not only for Christian education, but as a foundational principle of a Christian worldview.

To those who work with or parent children/students: Aiming at who the child will become is of far greater importance than our efforts to put in place structures and programs, teach content and skills, or plan out trajectories and the pragmatic steps we deem necessary to get there. Host Noah Brink focuses on how keeping the main thing the main thing means that we have to think about spiritual formation or faith formation as primary and recognize that the life-long, lasting change that we're seeking means that we're going to have to aim at our their loves. And, the best way to shape their loves is for them to see our loves in us.

You can find out more about Renew Education's at https://www.renew-education.org, or read Noah's Book "Jesus Above School" found everywhere books are sold. https://tinyurl.com/Jesus-Above-School