by Kelly Knowlden
The end of the year is in sight and so most students and parents are thinking of summer. For us in the office, we are doing a lot of planning for next school year. One of the things that the Board is thinking about is how to be better at what we do. That is a general question that we entertain often, but this year we are trying to determine how to market ourselves as a distinctly Christian institution that brings the grace of the gospel to bear on the lives of children who are living in a secular culture.
That task is not easy. We come at that task from a very different perspective from our public school counterparts. We work from the goal of education (learning, not grades) and then think about how children learn at various stages as well as about that for which they should be held accountable. So students will have homework that must be done in ways that demonstrate their understanding of the process of education. (Again, not just the answers.) So high standards of work (handwriting, formal presentation of work, following the order given that shows all their work, etc.) and high expectations of timeliness, diligence and effort are expected. If the student is doing that kind of work, then learning will take place and will be rewarded. Another aspect that we are thinking about is how to modify coursework for students who genuinely follow the process but for various reasons of maturity, ability, and learning differences are unable to understand the material.
This is a valuable exercise for us and will increase our ability to serve you. We ask that you would pray for the Board and the administration of the school. Our goal is to serve families and students for many generations with a mind/heart-shaping worldview of truth.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Christian Mind
by Kelly Knowlden
The task of a Christian school is to educate. It is to give truth from God’s perspective to the people it serves. Normally we think of the children that are going to school as being the recipients of this education. But as part of our task, we have purposed to influence families also. Normally, the church is God’s means for influencing families, and while our intention is to never replace the church or its authority in the life of families, we do recognize the cultural pressures that we all face every day. So ICS seeks to support the church in the life of families by being one more “voice” that is speaking truth into people’s lives. We see this as necessary because of the godless thinking coming from all available communication devices.
Hence, this article each week. We have looked at a host of topics purposefully trying to think bibli- cally - and along the way, I’ve learned a lot. Of course, if you ever read something that you disagree with or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to talk to me. It is the “iron sharpening iron” that hones us into seeing the world we live in more accurately.
Now comes the planning for next year. You will receive your “Next-Year-Info-Packet” today. We are anticipating God’s blessing on the school. You can be a part of that by telling others in your acquaintance of the benefits that have come to you because of your child being at Immanuel Christian School. We are particularly interested in getting little children started on this path of having a Christian mind. It involves simple things, like “how you hold your pencil cannot be part of your ‘self-expression.’” It also deals with the need to know traditional math. (Most students entering ICS up to the tenth grade do not know how to do long division!) It will have as its goal, becoming like our Teacher. They, then, will be asking the question, “What do I have to give to this world that I live in?” rather than “What can I get out of this world?”
Pray that we think Christianly and are able to train minds and hearts of the students we serve - and sharpen their parents’ thinking along the way.
The task of a Christian school is to educate. It is to give truth from God’s perspective to the people it serves. Normally we think of the children that are going to school as being the recipients of this education. But as part of our task, we have purposed to influence families also. Normally, the church is God’s means for influencing families, and while our intention is to never replace the church or its authority in the life of families, we do recognize the cultural pressures that we all face every day. So ICS seeks to support the church in the life of families by being one more “voice” that is speaking truth into people’s lives. We see this as necessary because of the godless thinking coming from all available communication devices.
Hence, this article each week. We have looked at a host of topics purposefully trying to think bibli- cally - and along the way, I’ve learned a lot. Of course, if you ever read something that you disagree with or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to talk to me. It is the “iron sharpening iron” that hones us into seeing the world we live in more accurately.
Now comes the planning for next year. You will receive your “Next-Year-Info-Packet” today. We are anticipating God’s blessing on the school. You can be a part of that by telling others in your acquaintance of the benefits that have come to you because of your child being at Immanuel Christian School. We are particularly interested in getting little children started on this path of having a Christian mind. It involves simple things, like “how you hold your pencil cannot be part of your ‘self-expression.’” It also deals with the need to know traditional math. (Most students entering ICS up to the tenth grade do not know how to do long division!) It will have as its goal, becoming like our Teacher. They, then, will be asking the question, “What do I have to give to this world that I live in?” rather than “What can I get out of this world?”
Pray that we think Christianly and are able to train minds and hearts of the students we serve - and sharpen their parents’ thinking along the way.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Hungry?
by Kelly Knowlden
Appetite drives. Whether it be the quick snack at the end of a school day or a full course meal. We know the pushes of stomach-growls and because of the availability of food, we satisfy ourselves. Now all that is necessary and the spiritual battles that attend our eating, is not really my point. Rather, the larger question that must be posed to us day by day, as we deal with all that comes to us, is “What are we hungering for?” You see, we have this sense that there are certain things that will satisfy us and make us content. As a result, we pursue that which is a gift of God, rather than the Giver.
Let me explain. Here are the circumstances: I have a flat tire. I am late. I have responsibilities that must be done and I am in an ‘out-of-service’ area for cell phones. I will respond to this by trying to satisfy the inner pushes that I feel. I will try to control my world by being angry at the mechanic who just put on new tires. I will vent my frustrations by crying. (“There, there. That will make you feel better.”) I will become self-righteous when no one stops to help. All of these are my attempts to make everything okay. They are all lies.
Are you hungry for fullness of blessings? Do you long to know the secret of peace in relationships with others in your world? (Jaded hearts say it is not possible.) That which we are hungering for and cannot accomplish by all our find-games, can be worked out through opening our empty hearts and trusting in Christ. That means that flat tires become an opportunity to be filled with the peace of Christ because we know He is good and brings only that which is good for me. Hunger is satisfied by living by faith.
Appetite drives. Whether it be the quick snack at the end of a school day or a full course meal. We know the pushes of stomach-growls and because of the availability of food, we satisfy ourselves. Now all that is necessary and the spiritual battles that attend our eating, is not really my point. Rather, the larger question that must be posed to us day by day, as we deal with all that comes to us, is “What are we hungering for?” You see, we have this sense that there are certain things that will satisfy us and make us content. As a result, we pursue that which is a gift of God, rather than the Giver.
Let me explain. Here are the circumstances: I have a flat tire. I am late. I have responsibilities that must be done and I am in an ‘out-of-service’ area for cell phones. I will respond to this by trying to satisfy the inner pushes that I feel. I will try to control my world by being angry at the mechanic who just put on new tires. I will vent my frustrations by crying. (“There, there. That will make you feel better.”) I will become self-righteous when no one stops to help. All of these are my attempts to make everything okay. They are all lies.
Are you hungry for fullness of blessings? Do you long to know the secret of peace in relationships with others in your world? (Jaded hearts say it is not possible.) That which we are hungering for and cannot accomplish by all our find-games, can be worked out through opening our empty hearts and trusting in Christ. That means that flat tires become an opportunity to be filled with the peace of Christ because we know He is good and brings only that which is good for me. Hunger is satisfied by living by faith.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Shoes that Pinch
by Kelly Knowlden
Sometimes children see a pair of shoes that they think are neat and they want them. The shoes may have been shoes similar to what some famous person wore. Or perhaps they have a special effect or neat logo that is wanted. Behind that want is a world view that says “having these shoes will bring me popularity (and therefore pleasure), satisfaction, and delight.” “Other kids will like me.” “They will make me look cool.” “I will be in the IN crowd.”
Note that those promises are all based on my perception of reality, of what is important and what will last. These are all lies of the Deceiver. It does not matter if the shoes are sturdy, durable, safe or the right size. If they pinch, or rub, or cause fallen arches or give any of the other possible problems with footwear, the bottom line is, “Will I be better liked (and therefore feel better about myself.)?”
World view counts. If I continually promote or define the cultural shouting to my children that what they wear, have or want is most important, then I must be prepared to deal with the battles that will come when they demand something that I do not deem appropriate or good. If I am making choices for them that are consistent with biblical truth and guiding them in seeing their value, then I will need to battle the cultural shouting. Either way, there will be a battle. As for me, I want to be fighting on the side of TRUTH beyond the cultural fads and styles. It will demand a large investment. The result will be young people who have a world view that says there are no arbitrary decisions even in choosing shoes!
Sometimes children see a pair of shoes that they think are neat and they want them. The shoes may have been shoes similar to what some famous person wore. Or perhaps they have a special effect or neat logo that is wanted. Behind that want is a world view that says “having these shoes will bring me popularity (and therefore pleasure), satisfaction, and delight.” “Other kids will like me.” “They will make me look cool.” “I will be in the IN crowd.”
Note that those promises are all based on my perception of reality, of what is important and what will last. These are all lies of the Deceiver. It does not matter if the shoes are sturdy, durable, safe or the right size. If they pinch, or rub, or cause fallen arches or give any of the other possible problems with footwear, the bottom line is, “Will I be better liked (and therefore feel better about myself.)?”
World view counts. If I continually promote or define the cultural shouting to my children that what they wear, have or want is most important, then I must be prepared to deal with the battles that will come when they demand something that I do not deem appropriate or good. If I am making choices for them that are consistent with biblical truth and guiding them in seeing their value, then I will need to battle the cultural shouting. Either way, there will be a battle. As for me, I want to be fighting on the side of TRUTH beyond the cultural fads and styles. It will demand a large investment. The result will be young people who have a world view that says there are no arbitrary decisions even in choosing shoes!
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