Building Students' Identity in Jesus Christ using Education
The labor of educators has always been to assist individuals in their personal development. But Christian education is about much more than that. We find ourselves daily involved in the most important role that we could possibly imagine-we are helping young people develop the mind of Jesus Christ!
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 17:22-23 - And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 8:28-29 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Every day, and in very specific pursuits in the daily lives of young men and women, educators have the privilege of demonstrating how Jesus walked, talked, and labored.
Teaching science/literature/mathematics/second language/etc. is so much more than developing the curiosity of students, teaching them how to utilize the scientific method, and helping them to understand how accurate data is collected and analyzed. We have the privilege of helping students understand how God made man with an ingrained design to "have dominion" through the pursuits of science (Genesis 1:28). We get to help young men and women learn how to learn any subject through careful observation, inquiry, research, and experimentation! We believe that, just as Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man, the students in our school can follow Him and find identity in being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Discipline at Agape International Academy is based on one foundation. We have one standard towards which we are all developing-likeness to Jesus Christ. When students act in ways that demonstrate a following of Jesus Christ, they will receive encouragement! When students act in ways that demonstrate a rebellion against the person and truth of Jesus Christ, there will be correction, rebuke, and admonition. Students will be expected to express when they have made a mistake, apologize to appropriate individuals, and demonstrate repentance through a purposeful changing of behavior to obey the truth of God's word to follow Jesus Christ.
It is our intention that every aspect of our program point students to their personal responsibility to humbly pursue likeness to Jesus Christ. We are excited to help students to find identity in who they are as Agape pages, squires, or knights by their likeness to Jesus Christ and to enjoy the fellowship of other students who walk in the light!
Our Creed
“I am an Agape (student, teacher, etc.). I will carefully develop humility as I grow in likeness to Jesus. Like Him, I will choose to do what others need instead of what I want. Like Him, I will choose to obey my authority even if I see no immediate reward for obedience. Like Him, I will carefully choose to be wholly sincere. Like Him, I will choose to recognize my personal responsibilities and perform them well. Like Him, I will choose to be careful and persistent in all of my efforts without giving up. Like Him, I will choose to develop knowledge and understanding with the purpose of making proper judgements and acting correctly. Like Him, I will be grateful for my situation and content with what I have been given. I am an Agape (student, teacher, etc.) and I will lead others in love.”