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.

The Book of Ruth - Part 9 of 10

The Book of Ruth
The God of the Ordinary1.9
Chapter 4:13
This is the ninth part of a ten-part examination of the Book of Ruth. This began as a combination of many great teachers, but the most influential person upon this study comes from the series, God of the Ordinary by Alistair Begg, pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio and founder of Truth for Life. This beautiful story of companionship, faithfulness and loyalty is so helpful to us as teachers. 

   
This whole entry is about only one verse Ruth 4:13 - So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her and the Lord enabled her to conceive and she gave birth to a son.  It’s incredible how a young widow and foreigner devoted herself to her mother-in-law, left everything she knew to commit herself to the God of Israel and now stands in the blessing of marriage.  Our God is so faithful. His steadfast love never fails. His mercies are endless. I ask your indulgence as I compare the benefits of a godly marriage to a Christian educator. When marriage is under the guidance and care of God, a humility and awesome gratitude for such an incredible relationship can only exist by the mercies of a gracious God.  How can two human beings possibly live together in peace and raise a family unless the guiding Word of God and the Spirit of God enables them? I believe that same miracle is possible for a faithful Christian educator.  Think about it. How can one person be faithful to a group of students for a whole year and make a positive impact on them except for the grace of God? As Christian educators, it is immediately evident as we step into the dynamics of our classrooms each day, whether you teach one group of students all day or rotate hundreds through your door, that we cannot do this on our own.  We are ever grateful that when we are weak, He is strong. 


Each student that walks through our doors is fearfully and wonderfully made in His image and it takes the Spirit of God to see that in the child that pushes every one of our buttons.  It takes the love of God to start fresh each day with forgiveness and grace.  It takes humility and repentance to understand that we are often wrong and need as many fresh starts as our students. Christian educators in the private and public schools of our nation understand the need for prayer and thanksgiving on a daily basis.  It is our belief that any true impact on our nation’s educational system is going to come on the knees of our teachers, administrations, support staff, students and parents.  If you do not have a prayer group at your school yet, now is the time to begin.  May God bless this school year as you turn your trust and needs for your classroom to Him as Ruth did.

As always, I am,
Prayerfully yours,
Karen

by: seddonk at 09:16 | link | comments

The Book of Ruth - Part 8 of 10

The Book of Ruth
The God of the Ordinary1.8
Chapter 4:1-12

This is the eighth part of a ten-part examination of the Book of Ruth. This began as a combination of many great teachers, but the most influential person upon this study comes from the series, God of the Ordinary by Alistair Begg, pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio and founder of Truth for Life. This beautiful story of companionship, faithfulness and loyalty is so helpful to us as teachers.

   
As we begin Ruth Chapter 4:1-12, we find that Boaz, Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, has gone to the city gates to make public his intentions for Ruth and to do the right thing.  There was another kinsman redeemer before him who had first choice if he wanted to become Ruth’s husband.  Boaz presented Ruth’s situation at the city gates where his fellow townsmen could witness and discuss this effort to preserve the family name of Elimelech.  The other kinsman redeemer was interested in the property that would come with marriage to Ruth and the addition of Naomi’s belongings, but would compromise his own family.  Boaz, in the witness of many, was then free to fulfill his duty of kinsman redeemer.


An important lesson for us as teachers is the ability to do the right thing.  As the school year quickly approaches, the immediacy of classroom issues is not as pressing as when we are in the heat of it.  However, what if you determined to ask yourself this simple question before any important decision, “What is the right thing to do?” Why not train the students that every decision you make on their behalf and for their good will not be made hastily but wrapped in this most important question, “What is the right thing to do?”  If you are not sure what the answer is, take it to those you trust. Seek wisdom.  Read the Word.  Pray for a solution and be confident that God will help.  Do nothing in secret.  Be like Boaz and take your most important decisions to those you trust as witnesses.  Alistair Begg admonishes us to ask that question at the beginning of each day.  He explains that you will get the answer to any question if you read the Bible daily, listen to your parents (no matter how old you are!), pay attention to those who know you best and love you. As a result of the Spirit of God bringing circumstances and the Word of God together and the counsel of godly friends, you will receive the answers you seek.


Perhaps the best part of being transparent in the classroom is that your students always know where you stand.  Be a teacher of integrity like Boaz was in his community.


As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,

Karen

by: seddonk at 17:12 | link | comments