Insight Session Present by: David Gray, Director of Mission and Community at Belmont Christian College
Student Reflection by: Josiah T. Perrim
Recently at the St Philip's Teaching School, the trainees and myself had the pleasure of engaging in a workshop led by David Gray. David is the Director of Mission and Community at Belmont Christian College. He is deeply passionate about equipping teachers to embed the Bible across their teaching.
In David’s workshop, he posed a variety of challenging questions to consider our personal commitment to and understanding of Christian teaching. Some of the best included:
Do you actually want to do this whole 'Christian education' thing?
This challenge was a central motif of David’s workshop. Being a Christian teacher is more than a job; it is a ministry, a lifestyle, a calling, and a service. It is not an eight-to-four, sit-around-until-you-get-paid type of job. Are you committed to this?
What is Christian education?
Definitions and purposes of Christian education vary greatly across institutions. These may emphasise discipleship, evangelism, academics, and or life preparedness. Have you established what you believe?
Where do your ministry priorities lie?
It’s easy to overwork yourself on the altar of Christian education, but this is not God’s purpose. God calls you to be active in your local church. God calls you to be a blessing to your family. What is your current balance in these areas?
Where do you think Christian education will be in twenty years?
We are privileged to live in a nation where Christian education has a rich history and strong legal representation. But this may not always be the case. Are you ready to teach for Christ no matter how the cards fall?
Do you actually like young people?
One day you are likely to be searching through the bush for a student who got lost on the Year 9 hike, or managing a Kindergarten student’s third toiletry incident of that day. In these moments, you need a foundational love for young people to empower your resolve. Do you possess this driving love?
Is your time with God quality?
Christian educators cannot be sustained on an empty tank of devotion. God must be the source of our strength if we are to thrive in this ministry. Are you healthily engaged in the Bible, in fellowship, in prayer?
Why bother?
In closing, we bother with all the paperwork, the discipline, the workload, because our vocation is life-shaping, world-changing, and God-pleasing. The choices we make and the lessons we teach may well contribute to the eternal salvation of a young person beloved by God. Being a Christian teacher is not only worthwhile, it is a privilege.
About the LinkedIn Blogger: Josiah T. Perrim is an undergraduate student within the St Philip's Teaching School. He is currently placed as Trainee Teacher at St Philip's Christian College - Newcastle, where he teaches English across Year 9-12. This term, Josiah has enjoyed developing relationships with the many delightful characters in his Year 10 class.
What are St Philip's Teaching School INSIGHT Sessions?
INSIGHT sessions at the St Philip's Teaching School are bespoke offerings that supplement regular lectures. Often delivered by members of the St Philip's Christian Education staff and the affiliate school community, these sessions address important topics and issues that teachers face today. INSIGHT sessions create a safe space for St Philip's Teaching School trainees to collaborate both online and in person.
