“Partnering with parents to help train and equip students to live effectively in God’s world” is the mission statement of Faith Christian School. I, along with the other members of our school’s administration, seek to communicate parts of this mission to students and parents whenever it is appropriate because we believe that much of what is accomplished here at FCS should flow out of our mission.
Every Thursday morning I have the wonderful opportunity to pray with a group of dads. Our group has been meeting for the past 3 years and the fellowship with these men serves as a highlight of many of my weeks. This past Thursday, one of the discussions focused on work and worker expectations. It made me think of specific ways that we can prepare students to be good and productive workers.
Here are a few specific examples of the lessons our students can learn that will make them productive and attractive employees in their future:
- Punctuality. Arriving to school and class on time, prepared, and ready to be productive.
- Work Ethic. This quality is becoming rarer and precious jewel. If students and individuals are willing to work hard, many times this automatically separates them from the rest of the pack.
- Integrity. Honesty, faithfulness, and truthfulness are all lessons to be taught as well as modeled for our students to see.
- Swears to their hurt. This person keeps their word/commitment even if a better “deal” comes along.
- Finish what you start. Sometimes it can be easy to quit or to make excuses. It’s important to finish what we start. This includes projects, extra-curricular activities, and other commitments.
Listen to the words of Psalm 15 and see if you can see the emphasis on character and integrity in these verses:
“O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
As parents, I understand the desire to see our children have the very best life. Many times these thoughts and desires include college, marriage, careers, etc. While these factors are somewhat important, I think that we would agree that at the end of the day the goal for our children is that they grow to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind and that they love others. As we seek to train and equip, I pray that we will not miss the daily lessons and opportunities to instill character qualities in the hearts and lives of our young people, through the daily witness and example of our lives.
