Purpose Driven Classroom

The purpose of this blog is to encourage Christian Educators to recognize their high calling as a teacher. We will be studying the Book of Esther for the next few months. Join us for this ten part study and don't forget to comment on how you think this applies to the classroom. May God help you to see your purpose for Him as a missionary in our schools in America.

Day 2

 My dear teachers,

We are building great community collaborating on this study together. As I write this post there are over 1100 "hits" to this study and 10 posts.  I know that it is a new concept to put your comments out for everyone to see, but look Who we are talking about?  What an amazing way to give Him the glory.  I encourage you to read Chapter 2 this week, look up the Scriptures, pray for the impact of the lesson upon your school setting and then add your comment right under this Day 2 study.

"You Are Not an Accident" is the title of Chapter 2.  Just think of the implications of being planned by God. He made us all unique to be loved and cared for by Him. How can we NOT want to tell of His wonders and love? In our classrooms, we tell about Him in our walk, in our touch, in our lessons, in our pats on the back, in our smile and in the atmosphere we create for our students. I loved the poem Rick Warren used by Russell Kelfer:

You are who you are for a reason.
You are part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what He wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones He chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into His likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are beloved,
Because there is a God!

         Think about that when you walk in your classroom next year.  To be a Christian educator is truly a calling.  You did not choose this path, He chose it for you. That is why you can go confidently before Him in prayer for all your needs for your classroom.  I applaud you for listening to His call and becoming a teacher.  It is never easy but it is a noble profession.  Who else gets to form the next generaton?  That is why it is so important that our Christian educators be the role model for the children. May God answer your prayers for your school, your colleagues, your students, your administrators and your community.

From Rick Warren:  Isa. 44:2 - I am your Creator. You were in My care even before you were born.
From me: Dan. 4:2 - It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.  How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.

Until next time, I am...
Prayerfully yours,
Karen

 

by: seddonk at 07:14 | link | comments (2)

Day 1

My dear teachers,

As we begin the Purpose Driven Life together, may God give you wisdom as you search for His ways in your school setting. I will slow down the study now to one “day” each week.  The PDL (Purpose Drive Life) is broken into a 40 day study and it’s just too much to drink in.   Let’s look at Day 1 for the whole week.

It's not about me. What a gift to know that I don't have to "make-up" my purpose. We can pick most things in life: our car, our jobs, our partners, etc. we CAN'T pick our purpose. God must reveal it is us. Although I begin this study already graced with His purpose for my life, I look forward to how He will reveal where my purpose is going and what I need to do now. If you are wondering what your purpose is, He is the only One Who can reveal it.  This I can tell you: it will be for His glory.  Everything about us is made for His pleasure.  In these modern times that we live in, we are encouraged to look into ourselves or to look to our strengths.  In God’s ways, we need to look to Him and go to Him in our weakness.  If you are feeling overwhelmed or even confused about who you are and why you are here, you are in the perfect position!  When we are weak, He is strong. 

Use the rest of this week, to review Chapter 1 in the Purpose Driven Book.  Try to look up the Scriptures.  Find a place where you can be alone and rest in Him.  It pays huge dividends to step away from the hustle bustle and abide in Him.  When you do, ask Him what your purpose is.  He will tell in His own way and His own time.  What a mighty God we serve. 

Please be sure to comment your reflections to have a truly interactive study. Can you imagine the impact?

From Rick Warren: Col. 1:16b - ..for in Him all things were created through Him and for Him.
From me:  1st Chron. 16:11 - Look to the Lord and His strength.  Seek His face always.

Until next time, I am…..
Prayerfully yours,
Karen

by: seddonk at 07:08 | link | comments (2)

Beginning June 18, 2006

My dear teachers,

In sunny Florida, our teachers have already completed the school year in most cases.  However, that is not true for so many of you.  At Christian Educators, www.ceai.org, we have decided that it would be best to start this study during the summer when we can truly reflect, rejuvenate and rejoice in all that He has done for us. 

There is no one who can juggle those last few weeks of school AND participate in a Purpose Driven Classrom study!  Please consider logging in once a week and posting your experience with the study.  To do that, simple click the "comments" link at the bottom of the post and model what it means to be a concerned Christian Educator.  Can you imagine the impact we can have on our schools if we were of the same mind?  May God be glorified in all we say and do.

 

Prayerfully yours,
Karen

I look forward to interacting with you on June 18th and for the 40 weeks thereafter.

by: seddonk at 22:03 | link | comments (13)