Christian Education Europe - Weekly Blog #christian school

How Much Do We Need Each Other In Christian Education?

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:32:57 +0000

Steve Beegoo has recently been appointed as Head of Education for Christian Concern and highlights the importance of mutual encouragement…

I was sitting at my desk when I received the email last week. “I am overwhelmed with your kindness… Thank you!”. Then a little later from someone else, “Thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate that especially as I have had a hospital procedure this week - very timely!”. My own encouragement of others comes back to encourage me!

As a trainee teacher I was overwhelmed, and almost destroyed, by the amount of criticism which was the standard vernacular of the teacher trainers. When in my early days as a teacher, the ‘robust’ criticism of Ofsted set a fear inducing atmosphere for so much of school life. Yet, there were always those who brought Christianencouragement. En- courage-ment. Putting in courage! And the value of this, is incalculable for those of us in education…

When I spoke at the Christian Education (CEE) conference two years ago, the sense of mutual encouragement around was a powerful dynamic. I find this in courageous Christian communities, and schools all around the world. The distinctive flavour of Christian encouragement, which multiplies courage, is not the bland flattery which forever shuns from facing issues, nor is it the ‘please-like-me’ platitudes given to curry favour. No. Christian encouragement is deeply real, and deeply needed. This kind of encouragement has given me courage and sustained me, in very challenging times, because it is divine. And it multiplies itself!

Paul, in Ephesians 4, explains a wide range of gifts and abilities needed in the ventures of the kingdom. In speaking about teaching, he encourages the Ephesians with this: “Speaking the truth, in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by everysupporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4 v 15-16; NIV 1984).

We tend to understand that there are different gifts, and different parts to ‘the body’, and that they all have a part to play in our ventures for Christ. But in this passage there is also a revelation that what we say to each other, ‘speaking the truth, in love,’ as we are equipped by Christ, will have the effect of holding us together through the supporting ligaments of relationship that you and I can cultivate. Deep attachment, formed through divinely inspired encouragement. As each of us do our work in this truth-speaking in love, the body holds together and is built up. How are your supporting ligaments of love? As you bring divinely inspired encouragement to another person, so others in turn bring that to you. Are you being divinely encouraged and equipped through others?

Another equally good translation of the word ‘supporting’ is ‘supplying’. As we are connected to the Head, we supply each other through strong relationships. The gifts of skilful apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, connected to the Head, can equip us and supply us, so that through great teaching and encouragement we can all mature into all that God has for us. And as we actively seek to be encouragers, suppliers to others, so this comes back to us and we all benefit.

But even without these events, there is something we can all respond to today. Can you choose to see, what God sees, in a child, a colleague, a friend or a family member? Bring divine encouragement by simply naming it in them, thanking them and thereby honouring God for who they are, as much as for what they have done.

May your supplying ligaments strengthen you in these months ahead! May you not only ‘hold together’, but grow and be built up in love. May you receive from the great people God is giving you opportunity to connect with, so that joy-filled courage may sustain you.

The link to the ‘Further Up Further In’ conference can be found here.

Working Diligently

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 09:41:18 +0000

During the COVID lockdown there has been some confusion over who is working, who is on furlough - who is paying for what - who is working from home, indeed what is work! Many large corporations are reassessing how work is managed. Some have said they don’t need large offices in big cities. Office staff can work more efficiently online from home etc. etc. Some have been made redundant (not a biblical term). This all seems far removed from the curse on Adam due to sin, 'by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground’ and the follow up--only slightly more positive--text in Ecclesiastes 9:10: 'Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going’. Through the ages work has evolved from being a curse to becoming a way of salvation. Indeed in many religious traditions good works lead to salvation of one form or another. However, the biblical teaching is that good work is evidence of the saving Grace of God in our lives. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. But then some (not all) in society argue that if you get free gifts--such as Government benefits--you are less inclined to work. Paul corrects the misapprehension of easy grace in Romans 6 and of course in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 he writes: 'For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.' Doesn’t that describe some of the problem of busybodies in society today?

So what is the answer? In a word, Character. In another word, Diligence. Obviously, this applies as much to home schooling/learning!

Solomon writes, 'Guard your hearts with all diligence for out of it is the wellspring of life’. The heart should be the starting place for great works. You believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead and are justified (by Grace). It is good to have a combination of physical work and mental work and spiritual work but all should start with the heart. We travail in prayer because we are burdened in our hearts. Prayer is not a mental exercise. We achieve great physical works when our heart is in it (if your heart is not in your work it becomes a slog). When our heart is right before God our minds are stimulated towards discovering not only the mysteries and miracles of Creation but what is right and what is wrong with the world and why it is wrong! Some atheists say they don’t need meaning or purpose in their lives. One wonders how they are ever motivated to get up in the morning? For Christians however, the eternal purpose and motivation for good works is to bring glory to God out of thanksgiving for all He has done for us. Work becomes a joy. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). When the life of Christ becomes real to us then living it out becomes a natural outWORKing. Whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to men, Colossians 3:23.

Secular sociologists, historians and philosophers may see the ‘work ethic’ as a method for making money, spawning an industrial revolution or achieving protestant hegemony (as some Chinese researchers have surmised) but for Christians it is simply a matter of diligence before God as an outcome of a great salvation--not looking out for the praise of men but looking forward to the heavenly commendation, “Well done good and faithful servant."

DILIGENCE

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:56:50 +0000

There are so many studies on how to improve productivity. Methodology, environment, and time of day all contribute to enhancing a productive day. People often see diligence as the act of being productive, but it is so much more than just crossing off everything on your daily list.

To be diligent means that you have conviction to not only DO your work/goals/chores, but to do them with care and conscientiousness.

It takes not only looking at the benefits of doing a good job for yourself, but also for others. It integrates timekeeping and quality work and finds a good balance between the two. Diligence causes a person to have forward thinking--“How can I do my work in a way today that will make improvements for tomorrow?”

Diligent people can be trusted to do their work to a high standard with integrity, but it does come with a cost to that person. Being diligent is EXHAUSTING.

Imagine being a reliably diligent student:

You wake up for your alarm, then get out of bed promptly (even though you are PARTICULARLY cosy in bed and it would be nice to have 5 more minutes). You make your bed, so it will be ready for bedtime later (and so mum won’t have to do it). You get changed and thoroughly brush your teeth (all 32 of them) because you want healthy teeth for the rest of your life. You have a nutritious breakfast (and wash up your dishes), then sit down for a time of prayer and devotion before you start your schooling, which you complete without being distracted, in your best handwriting, reading all the questions thoroughly in order to answer them properly.

Well, it’s only the morning, and it already feels like A LOT of work has been done to the best of your ability – It almost feels like you, the diligent student, could reward yourself with an afternoon nap. Right?

WRONG. There will be afternoon lessons, and helping mum and dad, and lots of opportunities to be conscientious about everything before heading back to bed for 8 hours of sleep in order to be ready for another day of diligent work.

Sounds exhausting, right? And frankly, unrealistic.

Why? Because students have to LEARN to be diligent. They have to understand the benefits of it at a personal level. They have to see examples of diligence around them. They have to DESIRE to be that way themselves.

It’s even harder in recent years for young people to practice diligence. We live in a ‘copy and paste’ world. There are shortcuts for everything. Sometimes these shortcuts are BRILLIANT. They make work more efficient and productive. But on the flip side, shortcuts mean that people aren’t using their skills and intuition in ways that they might have before. Shortcuts create an illusion that things can be gained quickly, but with the same quality. Young people are so used to shortcuts that when they try something and it doesn’t work out instantly, they feel like they have failed.

In a world of shortcuts, DILIGENCE will be the key for this generation of students. It will give them the edge. A student who has learned diligence will not give up when they fail the first time. They will try until they understand how to get it right.

This is why it is SO important to acknowledge diligence when we see it in our children and students. They may not make their bed or wash the dishes all the time, but when they do it – thank them; tell them you appreciate it when they do something that helps you out. Recognise them when you can see that they have tried hard to learn their schoolwork or have made an effort to write neatly.

Being diligent is not easy. NOT AT ALL. To be TRULY diligent takes strength of character and some sacrifice. Unrecognised diligence is probably one of the most discouraging and, ultimately, tragic things, because if left unchecked, it can cause a person not to want to bother any more.

If you are someone with children or students, it is your responsibility to reward diligence when you see it. Whether that reward comes verbally, in the form of a gift, or more recreation is up to you – be diligent in acknowledging that same trait in your students.

The Bible is very clear on the benefits of diligence. Read the verses below:

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. - Proverbs 13:4

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. - Proverbs 10:4

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. - Proverbs 22:29

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. - 2 Peter 1:10

How great it would be if all our students, children, and loved ones could practice diligence and reap the benefits in their schoolwork, personal lives, and future careers. We can help that be a reality by recognising and rewarding it when we see it.

Have there been any occasions recently when you’ve noticed a student practising diligence? How did you reward it?

COOPERATION

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 11:51:12 +0000

The majority of us live and work in environments with multiple other people. In fact, there is probably not one person who can say that they rely entirely on themselves to get through life. The truth is, we all depend on each other to get things done at one level or another.

Now, let’s have a little exercise.

Take some time to let the below statement settle in your mind for a moment:

It is really hard to get through life alone.

Now, invert that thought:

I have the power to be present for others.

Yes, as a human being, your cooperation will almost 100% make life easier for those who are living and working around you. Just think about that. Let it settle. Feel that responsibility

YOU have the power to make life easier for those around you and by NOT cooperating with them, you will most definitely be making life more difficult for them.

If you state that you believe in something, if you state that you are a good person, if you state you want to get good grades, or do well in a project, but you are unwilling to cooperate with the people that have the same dreams, or are there supporting you – you are being false to yourself and to them. You are essentially stunting forward motion, quality, and success.

We have all felt the frustration of making a group decision to get something done and then certain people don’t step up and take up their share of the load. Its discouraging and hurtful. On the other hand, let’s not kid ourselves, none of us are perfect, we have all been the person who doesn’t pick up their share as well. So what can we do to stop this? How can we make choices towards constructive cooperation?

The definition of cooperation is: the action or process of working together to the same end.

1. Do you have a clear idea of what that goal is. Have you discussed and agreed with your family, peers, or co-workers and come out with a clear understanding of what you all want to achieve. A lot of the time dysfunction is a result of miscommunication.

2. You want to ask yourself, “Do I really want to achieve the same goals as these people?” If the answer is ‘no’, you probably need to have a rethink about your place and priorities in life. If the answer is ‘yes’ move on to the next point.

3. (This could be the most challenging point so brace yourself), identify areas of weakness in yourself. For example – when it is time for YOU to pick up the slack, what is it that makes you want to procrastinate? Is it laziness? Is it a bad attitude towards someone? Do you not feel ready to take on the task? Are you trying to move the work away from the common goal for selfish gain? If you truly want to encourage environment of cooperation, you need to be constantly checking your own heart and integrity.

4. Finally (and this should be after you’ve addressed you own issues), you need to confront those who are not pulling their weight. Part of being cooperative is knowing when you need to intervene to help your those around you. It’s easy to get mad and blow a fuse at someone, but before you do that – take a closer look. Think of the times when you felt discouraged, or lazy, or out of your own depth – then approach them with suggestions on how they can move towards productivity. Let them know you see what they are not doing – but give them opportunity and space to grow.

Cooperation is about working together for a common goal, but it is also something that the individual needs to believe in, and encourage. As part of a family, classroom, or team – you have an individual responsibility to promote a cooperative attitude. If you are in a position of authority be the example – communicate well, check yourself, approach those you are concerned about (with grace). If you are someone who is in a place of instruction, listen – follow the advice of those who are being a GOOD example, do the best that you can in your chores, or studies, or work.

Here are some quotes from people who knew the benefits of cooperation (so they know what they are talking about)

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." – Michael Jordan (American Basketball Player, 6-time championships winner)

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." – Booker T. Washington (American educator, author, orator, and adviser to multiple presidents of the United States)

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." – Sir Isaac Newton (English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, and author who is widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time)

"It takes two flints to make a fire." – Louisa May Alcott (American novelist, short story writer and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women)

And the Bible says:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… -- Philippians 2:1-30 (ESV)

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. -- Nehemiah 4:6 (ESV)

One person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 (ESV)

But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. -- Exodus 17:12 (ESV)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. -- Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

The Bible has so much more coverage on this subject in advice and in the stories, so if you want to know more, the Bible is an excellent guide.

Cooperation is not an easy thing. But the benefits and success stories of working together far outweigh going it alone.

If there is a famine of cooperation in your life right now, encourage communication, inspire people with true stories of how working together paid off, intervene graciously if someone isn’t picking up the slack – you can be the change. Let’s get stuff done together!

A L T E R N A T I V E S

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 10:26:38 +0000

It has been said that if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got.

Human nature tends to follow the crowd. We are afraid of change – of being different or of doing things differently. But without innovation, we wouldn’t have seat belts, the heart transplant, or the internet. Innovation can be positive, and doing things differently hugely changes not only our lives but also the world around us.

This concept applies to education, too. It’s easy to ‘go with the flow’ and send our children off to school when they are of age, entrusting them to the care of their teachers. But is this what’s best for them? Is it effectively preparing them to live and work in today’s world? Have we considered whether there is a better way?

There are alternatives that we, as parents, grandparents or carers, could – and should – consider before making a decision regarding our children’s education. Each child is an individual, and each education experience should be individualised.

So, what are the options?

1. Consider home educating

Although homeschooling sometimes gets a bad rap, many well-known people were educated at home, including Sir Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, Tim Tebow, and Bethany Hamilton. The reasons to choose to home educate are varied and could include:

Your family values or lifestyle
A negative school experience -- e.g. bullying
Your child not making progress in a traditional school setting
Wanting to provide additional areas of study
Freedom to choose a curriculum
Living abroad
And many more

Whatever your reason, home educating is worth consideration. Weigh up the responsibilities and benefits, and if you opt for this approach, pursue it wholeheartedly and with excellence.

It also helps to connect with a home school support service and other home-educating families. To find out more about about how Christian Education can help with this click the button below.

Click Here to Find out More about Home Educating

2. Enrol in a Christian School

Independent Christian Schools provide a great alternative for families who do not feel that home educating is the best option for their children, but who are looking for an education that matches their family values. Another benefit is that many Christian schools are smaller than traditional schools, affording your child/ren more individualised attention in their learning. Research also shows that students in Christian schools are more tolerant of differences and, therefore, bullying is less prevalent.

If considering this option, research the schools available in your area. Look at the curriculum offered, the core values and ethos, and the approach to learning. Take time to meet with the head teacher (and possibly the governors) to see if the school will be a good fit for your child/ren.

Christian Education supports a number of schools around the UK and Europe. Click the button below to find a school near you.

Click Here to Find out More about Christian Schools using the ACE Curriculum

3. Start a Christian school.

No school where you are? Have you considered whether you could start a school or tuition centre in your area?

Many schools are born when parents and churches recognise a need in their area. This is a fantastic option to consider if you want to provide an alternative learning environment not only for your own children, but also for the children in your community.

While it may sound scary, it doesn’t have to be a daunting process! You could start small by running a tuition centre a couple of mornings a week and work your way up to providing a full education solution for students in your area. For more details on what is involved in this process, click the button below. Christian Education is here to help you through the process.

In conclusion:

Don’t limit yourself or your children by doing what has always been done. Take the time to seriously and prayerfully consider what the best option for your family is – and then step out in faith and dare to be different.

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