Nancy R. DeHaan MACSA Convention November 2009 [email protected].

Nancy R. DeHaanMACSA ConventionNovember 2009

[email protected]

Written to the church in Galatia to address specific problems, including the false teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation.

Paul spend much time in the early chapters “defending” the gospel - including Paul’s statement of faith in Galatians 2 – “I am crucified with Christ . . . .”

Freedom in Christ

Christ has made us free – Do not be entangled again with the yolk of bondage

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

Through love serve one another

You shall love your neighbor as yourself

Walking in the Spirit

Walk in the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit

Live in the Spirit ~ Walk in the Spirit

Serve Even while “working” for men,

it is the Lord Christ you are serving.

One Another Do good to all men . . .

especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In Love As I have loved you, so you

must love one another.

A Christian’s motivation for service should develop out of a deep and abiding love for our Savior and a desire to bring Him glory as a response to the love shown to us in Christ Jesus.

My only comfort in life and death is: that I am not my own, but belong--body and soul, in life and in death--to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

 Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of

eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Christian service is not an internal feature that goes unnoticed. It bubbles to the surface and becomes visible in actions.

Students notice the effervescent nature of Christian service, and everyone in the classroom proceeds to manifest those attitudes and behaviors.

Both Christian and non-Christian people do good and caring things

With the purpose of eternity in mind while teaching in the classroom, Christian teachers are modeling a way of being that reflects the kingdom and prepares students for a lifetime of service (in a secular or Christian environment) to others.

Touching students’ hearts for service is as important as molding their intellect. Teaching Minds . . . Touching Hearts Reaching the Mind, the Heart and the Hands

Students will not desire to serve unless they are motivated . . . Show and Tell

. . . and they will not know how to serve unless they are equipped. Practice

If we train only for marketable skills, academic excellence, and good moral behavior, but neglect the higher purpose of Christian discipleship, we lose our distinctiveness as Christian educators.

John Van DykeThe Craft of Christian Teaching

2000

Servanthood is a matter of the heart.

Our love for God is shown through our

love for and service to others.

WhoWith some it’s easy, with others it’s hard, really

hard (ok, it’s really, really, really hard) – but it is always necessary.

Students Parents Colleagues Administration Others connected to the school The Community at large

The Attitude Imitate the Master Teacher - who did his

best work among the “marginalized” Serve with caring and compassion Serve in humility Shepherd the flock of God ~ serving as

overseers▪ Not by compulsion but willingly▪ Not for dishonest gain but eagerly▪ Not as being “lords” but by example

Serve with . . . ▪ Patience▪ Kindness▪ Unselfishness▪ Truthfulness▪ Endurance

Not with . . . ▪ Envy▪ Pride▪ Self-centeredness▪ Rudeness▪ Anger

1 Corinthians 13Love is …Love is Not

The Action

Determine an action plan for your heart and your classroom! Pray and then “Serve One Another in Love.”