Nancy R. DeHaan MACSA Convention November 2009

 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 Dyke The 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.

Who With 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 13 Love is …Love is Not

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