1 Peter 3:15 admonishes disciples of Jesus always to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” For students to “become all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22b) like the Apostle Paul, they must have the capability and flexibility to communicate effectively in diverse settings. 

 

Students will read primary source texts, research, and be prepared for public speaking, discussion, and debate. Founded on a solid foundation and understanding of Biblical truth, they will learn to think critically and express verbal and written communication with clarity, compassion, and grace. Through analyzing and wrestling first-hand with various perspectives, worldviews, and opinions, students will be able to articulate the “why” behind their beliefs, decisions, and life choices.  In and out of the classroom, productive communication will set students up for success in all areas of life.

The Apostle Paul instructs the Philippian church, “Only let your manner of life [conduct] be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Mighty King students will learn how Jesus is the source–the fountain–that flows into every area of their life.

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During Jesus’ time (physically on earth), Judaism had three stages of education and the final stage in the Jewish educational system was  Bet Midrash (Gracin & Budiselić, 2019, p. 212). At twelve or thirteen, gifted students joined the Beth Midrash (“House of Study”) and focused on “understanding and applying the Torah and oral tradition to daily life in a more intense way” (Gracin & Budiselić, 2019, p. 213). Gracin and Budiselić (2019) elaborate: The student, usually called a talmid (disciple), would attach himself to and travel with the rabbi as part of his education. His goal was to become like his rabbi and learn his halakoth until he internalized it (p. 213). Disciples were to “imitate their teacher’s actions: deeds, speech, conduct” (Gracin & Budiselić, 2019, p. 213).

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In short, students are encouraged to be reflections of Jesus here on earth.

Jesus summarized all the Old Testament Law and the Prophets into two commandments: “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Mark 12:30-31). Love, as defined in Scripture, is the bedrock of how we serve students and how we encourage students to serve each other and others, especially through our volunteer opportunities.

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1 John 4:8 states, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Love springs forth from truth and truth is rooted in Scripture. The modern ideas of “my truth” (subjective rather than objective truth) and full acceptance/affirmation of anything/everything should not be confused with real love. Jesus explains, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments [Scripture]” (John 14:15). Students will learn how to approach the world and our cultural context from the prism of Biblical love–valuing the Imago Dei in every human and understanding God’s beautiful and loving design of creation.

 

Ultimately, students will utilize 1 Corinthians 13 as a litmus test of their love walk. By replacing the word “love” with their name in verses 4-7, students can excel in love (e.g. [Robert] is patient and kind; [Robert] does not envy or boast, etc).

The famous Biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The Faith Hall of Fame detailed in the rest of Hebrews 11 highlights Abraham, Moses, and others who acted in faith and their actions were credited to them as righteousness. Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, “Without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

 

By modeling faith in and outside of the classroom, Mighty King hopes to cultivate a faith in students that manifest in tangible faith-fueled actions, understanding that “faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). We thank God that it is “by grace [we] have been saved through faith. And this is not [our] own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because we love God, trust Him, and believe His promises as found in Scripture, Mighty King students and staff rely on the Holy Spirit to have a faith that is active with/evident by our works (James 2:22). 

 

It takes faith to believe God and His Word and we invite the Holy Spirit to grow our faith. We pray that God may be seen in the details of our school and our students’/staff’s lives and that His name be glorified through His mighty works unlocked by our faith (Matthew 13:58)

King David pleaded, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:10-11). He understood the infinite holiness of God and that He could not match God’s holiness without the help of the Holy Spirit. The Psalm was David’s prayer after his act of adultery with Bathsheba. As fallen humans affected by sin, we will fail; however, “the righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).

 

Purity is a heart posture we hope to cultivate in students, with the understanding that “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV). God loved us first (1 John 4:19) and that love overflows in a desire to walk in obedience to God’s Word which results in righteousness (purity/holiness). With a basis on God’s forgiveness and grace, we acknowledge that “no one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). 

 

With this truth in mind, we strive towards purity and empower students with the promise that Jesus set us free from the prison of sin (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:1-23) and the Holy Spirit enables us to walk by the Spirit and not “gratify the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). We firmly believe that God redeems, heals, forgives, restores and we want to walk alongside students filled with love and grace, knowing that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).