Encouraging Christian Teachers and Students in and out of the Classroom March 9, 2012 Seoul Academy International School James Strong

I am a Language Arts teacher for 6 th and 7 th grades at Seoul Academy International School. This is a secular school, not a Christian school. I am the faculty advisor for the Bible Study Club. Participation in the club is entirely voluntary. Introduction

Background Before I started working at SAIS, I worked at a public school in Korea for two years. As an outreach, I started engaging coworkers in conversations about their faith and giving away Daily Bibles to them.

Background Once people learned I was Christian, we were able to encourage each other and have fellowship despite the language barrier.

When I came to SAIS… I asked, “How can I serve God here?” “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” —Colossians 3:23

When I came to SAIS… I asked, “How can I serve God here?” The answer came quickly after I prayed about it: Bible Study Club. When I learned that this was one of the clubs offered, I leapt at the chance.

Bible Study Club: Getting Started At first, I prayed for lots of members. I wanted many students to either strengthen their faith or come to faith. I thought it was the right prayer, but it wasn’t.

Bible Study Club: Getting Started Listening to a Wednesday night sermon at my church by my pastor gave me the right perspective. “Pray for the opportunity to share and evangelize with one person.” I prayed that prayer and took it to heart. Therefore, when I got triple—three members—I felt blessed rather than disappointed. Later, we even grew to four members!

Due to a conflict in scheduling, they had to choose between the Math Club and Bible Study Club. Decision Time All of them stayed!

How and What We Study: QT and Daily Bibles I’ve been taught to read the Bible every day, try to let it read me, and see how I can apply it in my life. The time spent doing this is referred to as QT, or “quiet time.” We use a Daily Bible series.

How and What We Study: Tough Questions Series I’ve also learned that using one’s critical thinking skills is an important part of his or her faith journey. How Does Anyone Know God Exists? Don’t All Religions Lead to God? Why Become a Christian?

The following topics have come up in our meetings: Topics Bullying Cheating Family Problems Dating Grades Gaming Addiction

Ways to Share the Message: Focusing on Others A good way to reach others is to engage them, get them to open up, and find out what they believe in. “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” —1 Corinthians 9:22

Ways to Share the Message: Universal Truths The Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” —Luke 6:31

Ways to Share the Message: Universal Truths History repeats itself. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” —Ecclesiastes 1:9

What We’ve Done: Actions Speak Louder than Words If you preach the Word, you should live by the Word. One way we have done this is to draft a letter to help collect rice for North Korean refugees.

All eyes are on me when I teach. Everything I do is on display. I must be careful and ask myself what kind of impression I’m making because… How This Relates to the Classroom “…we who teach will be judged more strictly.” — James 3:1

“Not me, Lord.” “Yes, you.” Many figures in the Bible, including Moses (see Exodus 3-4) and Gideon (see Judges 6:13, 15), gave God a litany of excuses why they were unfit to serve. God told them to do it anyway. He has the same message for you and me!

“ 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission

Any questions? Q & A