Maintaining the Joy of Teaching Derek Keenan – VP of Academic Affairs

Fundamental preparation for ministry “It is the Christian’s moral obligation to be joyful, ant the failure of the Christian to be joyful is sin” – RC Sproul “It is the Christian’s moral obligation to be joyful, ant the failure of the Christian to be joyful is sin” – RC Sproul I must be a conveyor of hope I must be a conveyor of hope Integrity link between joy and hope Integrity link between joy and hope

What does joy mean in a teaching ministry? 1. Changes your value system 2. Produces stamina Need juice in January-April Need juice in January-April Research shows that is prime time in their retention. Teachers need energy for that time. Research shows that is prime time in their retention. Teachers need energy for that time. Be God’s person, in God’s place for you - confindence Be God’s person, in God’s place for you - confindence 3. Increases your influence

Prerequisites for Joy 1. Gratitude 1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” 2. Contentment Godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness with contentment is great gain. 3. Peace

Seven keys of joy Sayings from John of the Cross ( ) who wrote The Dark Night of the Soul and these sayings from Sayings of Light and Love 1. Joy INDEX Rejoice habitually in God, who is your salvation Rejoice habitually in God, who is your salvation Make eye contact with students in the hallway. Make eye contact with students in the hallway. 2. Biblical AXIOMS for joy My spirit becomes dry because it forgets to feed on You. My spirit becomes dry because it forgets to feed on You. TAwG – Time Alone with God: running, etc TAwG – Time Alone with God: running, etc A merry heart is good medicen A merry heart is good medicen

Seven keys of joy (cont.) 3. Accountable with SOMEONE for your spirit People matter. Not so “on a mission” that I forget about people People matter. Not so “on a mission” that I forget about people 4. Read the MIRRORS in your classroom “He is meek who knows how to suffer his neighbor and himself” “He is meek who knows how to suffer his neighbor and himself” Young students are particularly prone to reflect how you are feeling Young students are particularly prone to reflect how you are feeling My attitude in the adversity of life – How does that reflect are attitude of God. He is sovereign My attitude in the adversity of life – How does that reflect are attitude of God. He is sovereign

5. Every day needs JOY moments It is a serious evil to have more regard for God’s blessings than for God Himself It is a serious evil to have more regard for God’s blessings than for God Himself 6. Make a joy INVESTMENT in someone everyday. Put a not in the mailbox of another teacher. Put a not in the mailbox of another teacher. Administrators tell teachers, “You do good work” Administrators tell teachers, “You do good work” Ask students who your favorite teacher and what they got out of the class. Have them go and Ask students who your favorite teacher and what they got out of the class. Have them go and “In all things both high and low, let God be your goal.” “In all things both high and low, let God be your goal.” 7. Don’t forget the HEALTH issues. It is hard to be joyful when we are not heathy. It is hard to be joyful when we are not heathy. “It’s great to have our happy dad back” Doing too many things and not eating healthy and exercising. “It’s great to have our happy dad back” Doing too many things and not eating healthy and exercising.