RenewCast

Even though they're young, preschool-aged students still can learn critical aspects of a Christian worldview. By focusing on Boundaries, Bravery, and Delight, we'll target two of the categories of RenewEd's Worldview Framework in hopes to help children grow to see the gospel as truly good news.

Reflecting on the lyrics of many of our favorite Christmas Carols and on Luke's account of Jesus's birth, we see the life-shaping effects of viewing all things through the lens of Jesus's birth.

If we're going to see more fruit in our efforts to pursue Spiritual Formation, we're going to have a clearer target: we need to have a clear perspective of the sort of adults we want to see our students become ... the sorts of students who care for the world and others around them, are parts of the cure, are willing to confront what's wrong, and running toward cultivation and stewardship of what's good. This is in small part what it looks like to be changed because of the gospel, and that's the only thing that can bring about lasting Spiritual Formation.

If we believe that both following God's calling and honoring the profound dignity of all people are primary in the Christian life , we have to take a more honest look at the trades as we consider what's best for our children and students.

Given that relationships are critical to transformation and lasting change, we'll focus on the importance of habits and rhythms in shaping our students' hearts and desires.

Christian schools often talk about their relationships to local churches, but the nature of these relationships is more critical than ever ... both for the future of our schools and our churches. Episode 6 begins a conversation about the importance of reinvigorating healthy relationships between our schools and churches - that we might collectively engage our communities with the power of the gospel.

Nurturing authentic relationships between teachers and students is central to faith formation. We'll both focus on why that's the case and the necessary characteristics of our spiritual formation initiatives.

Christian Schools are increasingly talking about Spiritual Formation; it's a necessary emphasis for a school that properly embraces a commitment to the whole student and realizes that lasting change requires the shaping of the soul. It's important enough of a topic, that that both episodes 9 and 10 will be dedicated to the topic.

Maybe our commitments to seeing students as image bearers and their unique God-given giftings means we should rethink being college preparatory and all of the programming that comes with it. Maybe Christians should figure out how to create Christian trade/vocational schools and consider the fullness of what it means to further Christ's Kingdom and point our students toward that - regardless of four-year college trajectories.

Yes, Christian teachers should talk about order and structure and beauty, but other systems are just as likely to do this. However, being committed to a Christian worldview means we'll approach teaching mathematics with a different end in mind - helping our students to see the gospel and their need even more.

Find out more about our approach to Christian education at www.renew-education.org or pick up a copy of Jesus Above School.