Our Mindset for Math Class
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 ESV
do not be anxious [worried] about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
A lot of people, more than I would care to admit, have worry about Mathematics. Poor teaching, embarrassment in front of others - whatever the reason, it freaks them out!
Throughout Genesis 1, God declares His creation to be good. The truths of Mathematics held true even then, so this statement applied to Math! Keep this in mind as you work through problems - God created this, and asking for help from Him, He can deliver peace to you.
If Math class gives you anxiety, what is the root cause? Wherever the anxiety comes from, you, a teacher or classmates, ask God to help you forgive them.
What are some practical ways you can see Mathematics as God's creation?
Definitions and Properties
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that every polynomial function of degree n has exactly n solutions.
All Mathematical statements (theorems) are observations, based on stated truths (axioms). They simply exist in the context of the axiom system. No equation has to be told to have solutions. It is just what equations do - they follow their default path.
In the same way, as believers in Christ, because our hearts are changed, our salvation has less to do with who we learned about Christ from, but who that salvation is making us into. God's will (and good pleasure) is for us to do good works. Letting God do what He does, and letting Him invite us to join Him is what being a believer is about.
What circumstances do you need to place in God's hands? Would letting God take you on the path He meant for you change the circumstances? Where do you need to trust in His will?
Solving Equations
The way equations are solved, with inverse operations from the outside in (add/subtract before multiply/divide) is the same way God frees us from sin.
As He makes us new, our "inside", or mind, becomes renewed Romans 12:2, but the order in which we are renewed goes something like thus: Most obvious schemes of the devil, then the strongholds, that we often aren't aware have such a strong hold on us. (See Ephesians 6:10-20.)
However, once we taste the freedom Christ gives, there is no going back, since we have renewed minds. After all, why would we choose chains and death when we can be free and live? Take a moment to reflect on the sins God has rescued you from. These do not have to be"big sins", as really all sins are big in God's sight.
How has God's grace abounded in Your story? What strongholds are there in your life? Will you let Christ set you free?
Inverse Operations
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:11-12 ESV
Mentoring is not a one-way street in any area, but specifically in discipleship, the intention is that both parties learn from each other. The fact is, separately we can accomplish good works that God has for us, but together we can accomplish much more!
In that same way, some functions have inverses (i.e. are invertible) and when you compose the two functions, f and f inverse, you get the identity function, x. For example, x cubed and the cube root of x, when composed produce the identity, x.
As believers in the risen Jesus Christ, when we allow God to put that other person in our life, together we become more like our aim - holiness in the image of Jesus, gaining our true identity in Him.
Who is walking with you as you grow in Christ? How has having another person to walk with improved your relationship with Jesus?
Alternate questions: If you are not being mentored by someone or mentoring someone, what is keeping you from doing so? Pray for God to guide that person to you and for you to be aware of the opportunity for discipleship when it comes.
Systems of Equations
We see here that because God is just, he demands sacrifice for forgiveness:
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 ESV
We see here that God wants to forgive our sins and bring us into the truth:
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
We seek to find a solution to both constraints. Just as with systems of equations, our solution must satisfy both, simultaneously.
For this "system", we find the unique solution in Jesus Christ:
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:8-9 ESV
We can also find what some people call "contradictions", which are systems that have no solution. Of course, here the solution is self-examination, prayer and (often) an acceptance that God operates much differently than we do.
With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:9 ESV
What constraints can you think of in everyday life? How many solutions do they have? Can you think of any contradictory systems?