Extra Credit: Spiritual Formation in Teachers and Students

The word “discipline” is rooted in being a disciple. Like training for a marathon or making a renewed effort at better health, one has to follow a set regimen, on a path that has been shown to work in the past. And it has to be all of the time, not just when it’s easy, or when it feels good. Discipline takes discipline. But, just like those sit-ups, it will make you stronger.In this Extra Credit episode of the Clearly Christian Podcast, Dr. Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School, delves into the importance of disciplined resiliency in spiritual formation, particularly in the context of Christian education. He discusses the role of discipline in training students to live out a biblical worldview, the development of teachers to effectively impart this worldview, and the integration of faith into subjects like math. The conversation also touches on assessing student outcomes and the significance of instilling a sense of purpose and mission in students as they graduate.Takeaways-Discipline is rooted in being a disciple.-Spiritual training requires intentional discipline.-Christian education aims to teach what it means to live as a believer.-Mistakes are part of the learning process; correction is key.-Teachers need resources to integrate a biblical worldview in education.-Professional development is crucial for teacher effectiveness.-Math education can reflect God's order and design.-Understanding math helps appreciate God's creation.-Assessing student outcomes involves both written assessments and observations.-The goal is to instill a sense of purpose in students.Chapters00:17 Introduction to Clearly Christian Podcast01:34 Exploring Disciplined Resiliency03:48 The Role of Discipline in Spiritual Formation05:36 Teacher Development in Christian Education08:34 Integrating Biblical Worldview in Math Education12:13 Assessing Outcomes in Christian Education14:28 Conclusion and Call to ActionHelpful Links: Dr. Dean Ridder, Head of School of Isaac Newton Christian Academy: https://www.incaonline.org/
Dr. Cy Smith, Mansfield Christian School: https://www.mcsflames.org/