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 Esther - Part 2 of 11

The Book of Esther
“For such a time as this”
Chapter 1


There were no supernatural miracles in the Book of Esther, yet every wondrous event points to God's invisible Hand. Occurrences do not have to be supernatural to be miracles. The special characteristic or attribute of seeing God in everyday life is the lesson of Purim (the Book of Esther). In Persia, there were no BIG miracles. The natural was used. There are no coincidences - only God-incidences! We need to see God's Hand in our everyday lives even when His name is not mentioned. Miracles become daily events in the life of the obedient. “Life is not a schedule of defeats, but a parade of miracles.” Mike Murdock


In Chapter 1 of the Book of Esther, we find tension between the king and his queen, the threat to male authority and a great drama of how to handle the dilemma of a queen’s refusal to do what the king has requested.  No one really knows if the king had asked Queen Vashti to appear in a compromising position or if she was rebelling against his authority, but behind the scenes is our Sovereign God is making a path for “the rest of the story.”  I love the way the king sought the counsel of his elders as they created a law that Queen Vashti could never appear before the king again. The men were more concerned with how their wives would react than with the relationship between the king and queen.  In their culture, an edict was delivered by horseman throughout the kingdom and made law.  The law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed.  Pretty serious stuff!


We find decisions made in our educational culture sent out throughout the land for all to comply. What do we do as Christian educators when we don’t like the latest edict that has come down the decision pipe? We pray. We ask God to help us to do the right thing.  He is sovereign, He can change situations that seem impossible and He is the ultimate decision maker.  Should we bother Him about silly little decisions that we don’t like?  Prayer is our connection to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. We have an open door to the One Who knows everything.  Who knows? The miracle He may perform may be the one that changes our attitude? One of my principals used to say, “Perception is reality.”  When God changes our perception of situations, the reality can often be changed as well. 


Please pray for your administrators and their leaders.  The decisions they have to make are not always in the best interest of the students and teachers, but what if we all prayed for them before they met?  Let them know that you are praying for their wisdom and ability to make the best decision and support them.  You will be amazed at what a difference it will make on your campus.


"There are two ways to live your life - one is though nothing is a miracle, the other is though everything is a miracle."  Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Please read Chapter 2 for next week! Don’t be shy. You can add your comments to this study.  It will make it so much more rich.

As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,

Karen

by: seddonk at 08:36 | link | comments (1)

The Book of Esther - Part 1 of 11

The Book of Esther
“for such a time as this”
Introduction


The Book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet God is clearly orchestrating all its events. This fact is important to the public school classroom because too often God’s name is not mentioned in our ever-increasing “God-free” zones, but He is clearly orchestrating the events of the Christian educators on every campus in America.  Prayer groups are being formed and petitions are being made to the Great Provider for wisdom and grace in our educational system.  As Christian educators, it is our firm conviction that we can make a profound impact in the lives of our students by the grace of our God Who is wonderful beyond description.  One of my favorite verses is 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.”  I believe that the Book of Esther holds the key to miraculous occurrences in the public schools.

"There are two ways to live your life - one is though nothing is a miracle, the other is though everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Occurrences do not have to be supernatural to be miracles. By recognizing the magnitude of wondrous miracles, our lives can be dramatically improved. There were no supernatural miracles in the Book of Esther, yet every wondrous event points to God's invisible Hand. The special characteristic or attribute of seeing God in everyday life is the lesson of Purim (the Book of Esther). In Persia, there were no BIG miracles. The natural was used. There are no coincidences - only God-incidences! We need to see God's Hand in our everyday lives even when His name is not mentioned.

For the next twelve weeks, I hope you will join me in this study through the Book of Esther.  I reread the whole book this morning (it's only 10 chapters!) and even recorded it in my own voice for reflection.  It is a powerful story that can be shared as literature, history, drama and suspense.  I designed a presentation for students that models how the Jews celebrated Purim in the synagogue. It’s fun, it’s noisy and I will share more in the last study of this series. What a blessing to share this journey through the only book in Bible that does not mention God’s name, but stamps His hand print throughout. 

“Miracles become daily events in the life of the obedient. Life is not a schedule of defeats, but a parade of miracles.” Mike Murdock

For you homework, please read Chapter 1 of the Book of Esther for next week!


As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,

by: seddonk at 16:43 | link | comments

The Book of Ruth - Part 10 of 10

The Book of Ruth
The God of the Ordinary1.10
Chapter 4:14-22


This is the final part of a ten-part examination of the Book of Ruth. The study began as a combination of many great teachers, but the most influential person upon it  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 conclude the Book of Ruth in Chapter 4:14-22, we find Ruth out of the picture and Naomi restored to joy with her grandson, Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the grandfather of David, the line of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amazing!  The God of the ordinary works extraordinarily in the lives of those who love and trust Him.  The Book of Ruth is the story of how God cares, God rules and God provides.

In our classrooms, we actually live quite an ordinary life when you really think about it.  Even on the extraordinary days, there is an ordinariness (is that a word?) to what we do.  God is the God of the Ordinary.  He gives us all that we need.  As teachers, we need to call on Him everyday even for what may seem ordinary.  In fact, it is in the ordinariness of our lives that He is most extraordinary. Call on Him to help you with your lesson plans.  Ask Him to put centuries around your lips that you do not speak any words of harm.  Go to Him for help in relationships with those on your campus that seem to be unlovable.  Pray for blessings for your administrators and for wisdom in their decisions.  Give Him thanks for your students each day. Look to the God of the Ordinary for the needs of everything.  He is at His best when we are at our worst.  He is strong when we are weak. May this school year be an extraordinary year for you and your students with the God of all grace and peace.

I have loved studying the Book of Ruth.  Alistar Begg was given a copy of a children’s book called, “I Love Ruthie.”  In his gifted style and eloquent manner he read this great story in one of his podcasts.  I highly recommend it to you - for all ages and for encouragement in your journey with our Lord.


As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,

Karen

by: seddonk at 12:30 | link | comments