Prayerful Teaching is Growing Student Spirituality

May the Lord make your love increase 

and overflow for each other

and for everyone else,

 just as ours does for you.    

            1 Thessalonians 3:12

Prayer and Meditation

Just as Paul petitioned God that the Thessalonians grow spiritually, I pray that in this world of temptations and difficult choices, my students obtain the grace to grow in spiritual strength. Just as Paul petitioned God that he receive the ability to minister to the spiritual needs of the Thessalonians, I ask that I receive the ability and wisdom to minister to the spiritual needs of my students.

The Actions of Prayerful Teaching  (The actions below take into consideration the many teachers who teach in public schools and are hindered by the fact they cannot outright teach religious beliefs and sometimes even moral standards.)

• Take advantage of the literature that is built into the curriculum.  Ask open ended questions such as, “What would you have done?”  “How do you think ____ felt when____?”

• Always set a Christian example even if you are not in a Christian setting.  Example:When disciplining, do so with empathy and understanding, never anger and preaching.  No matter the setting--public or faith-based school--you are evangelizing every minute you are in contact with students through your demeanor, your attitude, your love and your sincerity.

• If the siren of a fire engine or ambulance is heard in your classroom say, “I hope everyone will be safe and enjoy the evening home with their families.”

• Involve students in service projects and encourage them to help others.  It may be as simple as collecting clothing or food for those in need.

• Write and post a classroom mission statement in a high traffic area.  Perhaps students can write individual mission statements.  Share your own mission statement and explain how you fulfill it.

Challenge of the Week

Write a personal mission statement.  As you glance at it on a daily basis, run through your head one action you can take with one or more of your students to fulfill your mission statement.

(If you have an issue you would like to see addressed in this blog, please let me know.)
  

God Bless and Prayerful Teaching,

Elizabeth A. Wink

prayerfulteaching@gmail.com