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 16

My dear teachers,

Our challenge from Rick Warren this week is to love and to  love particularly those in the family of God.  He explained that, “Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it.  You can make more money, but you can’t make more time.  When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back.  Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.”

The challenge that I would like to give you is powerful.  Please pray about this.  Find one other teacher on your campus and ask them to be your partner this year.  Commit to spending time with them.  It may be a believer with whom you can pray on a regular basis.  It may be that first year teacher who needs not only your prayers, but your time and experience.  It may be that teacher who does not know God,but would be blessed by your commitment to him/her.  It may be that teacher who seems to have it all together on the surface, but really needs your support.  It doesn’t matter who you pick, but it does matter that you pray for this teacher for the rest of the year and spend time with them.  Ask God to do something so big with the two of you.  The possibilities of yielded hearts and willingness to give of your time can combine for a most unique experience with God.  He loves a broken and contrite heart. 

 

Teachers really have the busiest schedule of any profession I know.  Lesson plans and designing better ways to engage students is a constant pressure besides the full day that is not only complete with classes, parent conferences, meetings, papers to grade and one’s own personal responsibilities.  And now you want me to take time to commit to another teacher?  Yes.  This bond may be just the relationship that helps you know that you are not alone and feel sane in the insane moments of the daily routine (which, of course is never routine.)

 

The question to consider is, “Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?”  Forming a new relationship takes time and commitment.  The benefits are priceless to each other, your school and even your students.  Ask God to bring that person into your life and it will be a blessing to each of you.

 

From Rick Warren: Gal. 5:14 - The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

From me: Mark 12:29 - The first is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  There is no other commandment greater than these.

 

Until next time, I am…..

Prayerfully yours,
Karen

by: seddonk at 20:08 | link | comments

Day 15

My dear teachers,

Being formed for God’s family is the greatest privilege in life.  Rick Warren reminds us in Chapter 15 that our priceless inheritance is to be with God forever. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col. 3: 22-23)  Remembering this on a day to day basis in our classrooms is critical.

 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are baptized, we enter into God’s family.  Everyone who has ever done the same, past, present and future are our brothers and sisters.  That means that other Christians on your campus are your brothers and sisters too!  All too often, in the public schools, we don’t even know who the Christians are. That is unfortunately because we have been given misinformation for so long about the separation of church and state.  My purpose today is not to speak of our first amendment rights but to encourage educators to begin prayer groups on every campus is America.

 

It is perfectly legal to host prayer groups on campus as long as the prayers are done in small groups privately before or after school with NO students present.  The first step you can take is to post a notice in the teacher’s lounge (do not use the school system’s email) inviting teacher to join a prayer group.  Your brothers and sisters who answer this call will be convicted to come.  Never be discouraged if only a few teachers come.  Even Jesus taught us in Matt. 18:19 - “For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” Praying with your colleagues creates a tie that binds beyond anything imaginable.  You will find that you are praying with colleagues that you had no previous relationship and you are coming before our Father as sisters and brothers.  How preciousl

 

Think of the benefits to your school.  When educators pray for the hand of God over their administrators, fellow colleagues, support staff and students, true impact is possible.  If you need any help with starting a prayer group or tips on what to do (or not to do), please do not hesitate to email me at Karen@ceai.org of go to http://www.prayingeducator.org/.  This site is lovingly prepared just for you.

 

Finally, I would like to direct you to the newest movement in our nation.  Christian Educators Assoc. Int. (CEAI) desires to cover EVERY school in America in prayer!  Our website has just been released and its largely empty right now.  That’s where you come in.  Visit Raise Your Hand, click on the map and begin to take in the power of a visible representation of schools covered in prayer.  We are looking for prayer coaches at each school, prayer leaders for every district and every state.  Pray about it and if you are called to help, let me know!  We need you to help educators everywhere become prayerfully dependent upon God for all things.

From Rick Warren: Eph. 1:5 - His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

From me: 2nd Chron. 7:14 - If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
 
Until next time, I am…..

Prayerfully yours,
Karen

by: seddonk at 18:26 | link | comments (4)

Day 14

My dear teachers,

On Day 14, Rick Warren asks us to focus on the question, “How can I stay focused on God’s presence, especially when He feels distant?”  Have you ever had times when your prayers seem to just go nowhere or that you don’t sense His presence?  Don’t let it discourage you.  It happens to all maturing Christians. As teachers, we are in a unique position to touch the lives of students everyday and we must never lose confidence in our God Who loves us more than we can ever know.  When we are discouraged, it’s very difficult to separate that in our classrooms.  Sometimes the kids will even ask, “Miss, is there something wrong with you?”  That’s a sure fire reality check for me!

 

It’s easy to sing God’s praises in the good times, but when day after day you struggle with the same student, pray for them, struggle, pray, struggle and it seems that God is not answering your cry for help, don’t give up.  Start looking at the other students. Notice the little quiet ones who never say anything and always do their work. Notice the silly ones who are joyful despite your predicament. Notice as many other students and their positive qualities.  Begin to write them down as classroom blessings.  Later in Chapter 39, Rick Warren quotes Dawson Trotman who said, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through your fingertips.”  Your blessing journal doesn’t have to be a project. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but it when you look back at it over time, you will see that God really was present blessing you even through those periods when it seemed He was absent.

 

I would like to recommend a very simple system.  Get a three ring binder (and who of us doesn’t have plenty of them?) with a few pieces of loose leaf paper.  At some time during each day, add a one sentence blessing.  For example, 9/15, Mary got all her work done for the first time. OR  9/15, Michael did everything I asked him to do.  OR 9/15, They really got integers today! Make a commitment to write at least one classroom blessing a day. At the end of the school year, form your opinion of that class around your blessings journal, not on the difficulties that you had during that year. Start it right away.  It doesn’t matter if you begin in the third week of school or the third month - just start it!  It will be a blessing to you and your students and will give God the glory for His ever presence in our lives.

 

From Rick Warren: Hebs. 13:5 -  For God has said, “I will never leave you, I will never abandon you.”

From me: Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen.
 

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

by: seddonk at 16:50 | link | comments (2)

Day 13

My dear teachers,

 

As busy educators, you do not need one more thing to do on your plates.  But what if this “one more thing” makes everything else fall into place more easily? This week’s chapter in the Purpose Drive Life is entitled, “Worship That Pleases God.”  Ok, I know you are probably wondering what worship has to do with school - well everything!  God has asked us to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength.  If we really do love Him that much, we will want to worship Him in ways that please Him.  Rick Warren suggested four major ways that God is pleased with our worship: when it is accurate, when our worship Is authentic, when it is thoughtful and when it is practical.   You see God wants all of us and yes, that means our classrooms too.

 

I was struck by Rick Warren’s suggestion under “God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful.”  He explained that in the Old Testament, God gradually revealed Himself to Israel by introducing new names for Himself, and He commands us to praise His name. His suggestion was to make a list of the different names of God.  I would like to put it in teacher perspective.

 

We are most associated as teachers with the ABCs and 123s.  Why not address God’s names through the ABCs?  It is the way I pray privately everyday and have found an intimacy and an encouraging time of worship seeking different names through the alphabet.  His names are powerful and worthy to be praised.  I find that the first time to try to speak of God’s names through the alphabet, it is very helpful to sit in a small group of other worshippers and go around the circle and try to name an attribute or adjective to describe Him.  You will be amazed at the fluid and articulate nature of this form of worship.  Keep a little journal with 26 pages (for each letter of the alphabet) and begin to add names, attributes and descriptions of our God for future reference.

 

In your classroom each day, dedicate your thoughts and prayer requests around a different letter.  Seek His wisdom and grace for all the needs of your students, colleagues and administrators under the provision of that particular name.  180 school days divided by 26 letters takes you through the alphabet 6.9 times.  I bet you wouldn’t even need to repeat a name with the exception of N, X and Z. 

 

In conclusion, I would like to offer this short prayer.  Dear Father, You taught us to pray by hallowing Your Name - You are Amazing, Beautiful, Creator, Divine, Everlasting Father, Gracious, Holy, Incredible Jesus, King, Lord, Master and the Name Above All Names, Opener of our hearts, Provider, Savior, TEACHER, Understanding, Victorious, Wonderful eXpert, Yashua and Zenith over all things. Blessed be Your Name.

 

From Rick Warren: Mark 12:30 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

From me: Isa. 26:8….Your Name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

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

by: seddonk at 16:08 | link | comments

Day 12

My dear teachers,

What a powerful statement to begin Day 12! “You are as close to God as you choose to be.”  Ouch.  Accountability is a wonderful thing.  Do you have someone who can help you stay on track as you try to pray for your students, colleagues, and administration?  It’s not natural, it’s a learned experience.  Developing a friendship with God doesn’t come naturally either.  However, He is the only friend Who will last eternally.  He makes a great accountability partner also.

 

Last week we were talking about writing scripture and wise sayings on your board in order to bless your students and keep you in the Word.  This week I would like to tell you how a year long study in the Psalms helped me to change. After a foolish argument with my husband, I was convicted to change and yet, I didn’t know how to go about it.  The next morning during my time with God, I asked Him for help because there was no way I could be fresh-mouthed to such a good man.  As I “flopped” my Bible open, He gave me the answer.  Eph. 5:19 - Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  What a personal God we serve.  I was immediately convicted to write a “Psalm a Day” on an index card and place it near my husband's mirror so that each day, I could speak to him in psalms, hymns, and spiritual song.  (I’m not such a great singer so the song part didn’t work!) What a blessing it is to have the Word prominently placed daily. Needless to say, the verses convicted me to change my ways.

 

Why not do that for yourself in your classroom?  Keep a Bible on your desk as your main reference tool and at the end of the day, pick out a Psalm for the next day (or first thing in the morning) and simply write it out on an index card and do it for the whole school year.  You won’t believe what a pleasant blessing it is to be in the Word in such precious bite-sized pieces.

Let us choose to be close to God everyday, through prayer and His Word.  May you be a blessing to your students and school community this week.

 

From Rick Warren:  James 4:8 - Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.

 

From me: Eph. 5:19 - Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
 

Until next time, I am…..

Prayerfully yours,
Karen

by: seddonk at 11:34 | link | comments