"What is education for? And more specifically, what is at stake in a distinctively Christian education? ... What if education ... is not primarily about the absorption of ideas and information, but about the formation of hearts and desires?"
James K.A. Smith, Desiring the Kingdom
It is our hope that this website can serve as an encouragement and a springboard for brainstorming as we seek to include various faith practices in our teaching and learning. On the site you will find various resources - some, no doubt, more helpful than others. The Christian practices that are listed are adopted and adapted from similar lists made by Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra.
Our goal is that these resources and questions might spark a thought of creativity for one of your own classes. Hopefully something here starts a rich conversation with a colleague and from that you begin dreaming of what could be. Whatever practice you choose to explore, our hope is that it enhances and deepens student learning and doesn't simply serve as "icing" on the cake.
If you are interested, you can visit the Resources page to learn more about the "thinking" behind Christian practices and to know that we're not making this stuff up.
Happy exploring and dreaming.
To learn more about Grand Rapids Christian Schools click here.
Perhaps a good place to start thinking about all of this is with biblical scholar, N.T. Wright reflecting on "The classroom and the Kingdom of God. The video captures the heart and soul of what we're aiming for with these faith formation practices.