Holy Learning

Welcome Back to School!

Back to school! mix of emotions!

School prepares you for your future.

I hope some of the things I say tonight, will blow your mind! Turn your brains on, think about what I’m going to say. If you really listen and if you try to care about what I say - then what I say could help you tolerate school more—maybe even help you like school! I know you go to school because you have to. Adults make you go so that you can be prepared for your future. So that you can have the best life you can possibly have! You learn those subjects so that you are a generally educated person who understands the basics of the important subjects! Not only that, but school teaches you life lessons! What are some life lessons you’ve learned at school? But there still is more than that!

don’t go to the next slide until I say the statement first.

School can teach you about GOD!

This might be surprising/confusing. Now, if all of your were home-schooled or went to a private Christian school, you’d be like, Duh, I have a class literally called “Bible”. But for those of you that are public schooled- you don’t have a class like that, right?

Tonight, I’m here to say, that NO matter what kind of school you go to, school can actually teach you about God.

Everything from English Grammar to Marching band, and history to athletics can teach us about God! While your teachers will probably never say: Now students: math teaches us that God is _____. Every subject/activity at school teaches us about either God/People. You have to be looking for it, or else you will miss it. I’m trying to teach you to how to look for lessons about God or People in the classes you have at school. If you learn to have this attitude, you will have a better school experience.

Before we look at some of the specific subjects and ideas, I want to remind you of a couple of passages of scripture that are really important for all of this.

Genesis 1:27 CSB

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

We believe that God created everything. So the whole universe is God’s work. Mankind, specifically has traits/attributes that resemble God. We’re similar to God. Image doesn’t just mean we look the same, but the way we think/act and what we do/long for is similar to GOD. That’s huge! That’s the biggest thing to remember! next check this out.

Romans 1:20 CSB

For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

We can learn about God from studying the world. That means every subject. Let’s talk about what that means.

Reading and Writing teaches us about God

What do you learn in a reading class? (how to read, vocabulary, genres, how to retain/gain knowledge from what you read).

Why is reading important for a Christian? (So we can read/understand/learn from the Bible and other written forms of knowledge). STORY.

what do you learn in a writing class? (understand language/communication, how to express yourself)

Why is writing important for a Christian? (knowing how to describe your faith, journaling, being creative - writing stories that connect with people).

Philippians 4:8 CSB

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

There are lots of books, blogs, articles, whatever that teach us good things!

Proverbs 18:4 CSB

The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

Our words can be wisdom to others!

Reading/Writing - creativity - Genre - helps us understand the bible. Writing is a form of creativity - when we’re creative we’re mimicking God, the creator. STORY - the language of civilization. We get caught up so much in stories because we’re part of a grand story.

Math and Science teaches us about God

What do you learn in Math class?

Why is math important for Christians? (structure of the universe is mathematical, finance/economics)

what do we learn in science class?

Why is science important for Christians? (Awe- in God’s design at work in creation. Understanding the world God created.)

John 1:3 CSB

All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

there is so much structure/order in the created world! God is clearly involved in the universe.

Psalm 95:4–5 CSB

The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks are his. The sea is his; he made it. His hands formed the dry land.

WOW! There are some incredible things in this world, and God created them all!

Math/Science - how God’s creation works - The more we learn about biology/chemistry/physics the more in awe we should be about God. The fact that our world is so complex is jaw-dropping.

History, Government, and Geography teaches us about God

What do you learn in History class?

Why does history important for Christians? (fallenness of man, struggle for power/oppression, not in harmony)

What do you learn in governement class?

Why does government important for Christians? (what does God expect for his people? Should man govern man?)

Judges 17:6 CSB

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.

Stories in Judges are tragic. There is no law and order. It was chaos and brutality. We need government in some capacity. Every Christian needs to figure out what is the role of the church, the government, the people, etc.

Psalm 33:5 CSB

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.

God is a good God who doesn’t want chaos - when we see chaos we should be reminded of how messed up our world is and how much we need to follow Jesus.

Geography/History/Gov’t - How God/People have been at work - You can see the brokenness of humanity - how much human solutions to man’s problems fail. Ultimately, learning about these lessons remind us that we are never going to be the solution to our problem. We need God to govern us!

Creative Arts (Art, music, theater) and Athletics teach us about God

What do you learn in Creative Arts classes?

Why are creative arts important for Christians? (When we’re creative, we’re like God)

What do you do/learn in Athletics?

Why is Athletics important for Christians? (caring for body/soul, teamwork, endurance)

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

God made you unique and talented. There are tasks that God has assigned to each of us. Good works to do. He hasn’t given any of us step by step instructions. He wants us to use our powers of creativity to do them in a way only we can do.

Colossians 3:23 CSB

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

So much of performing arts comes from an overflowing of the heart same is true for athletes. You perform/create/compete to the best of your ability as a way to worship God! (even the other subjects)

Arts/Athletic - music- connects to us emotionally, art/design - order out of chaos, Athletics - teamwork, endurance, care of your body.

School can teach you about GOD!

School can teach you about GOD! Sometimes you’re learning about life, about people, or about God and his creation! If you approach school from the attitude of believing in God - you spend your days learning more about God’s creation, how much he loves us, and how much we need him. Everything you do can be an opportunity to praise GOD!

This year, this week, starting tomorrow: Don’t halfway listen to your teachers as if it’s some useless information. Listen as if what you learn can help you better understand God/People/the world. Doing this, can even be worship to God!