Why This School Year Could Be Your Most Spiritually Fruitful Yet

43 years- August 14th!

My husband and I are lifelong educators. In true teacher fashion, we got married in August—right before school started—thinking it was the perfect time. Fast forward ten years, and I can remember us forcing ourselves to go out for a “nice” anniversary dinner while juggling a young family and demanding administrative roles. We were exhausted. (Why did we get married in August?)

Even now, years after retiring from the public school system, I still get a little giddy in August. Yes, it’s intense, but there’s an undeniable excitement in opening the doors to a new year—new relationships, fresh learning, and even unfamiliar struggles. Some people are intimidated by the unpredictability of a school year. I was always motivated by it. I loved watching students and staff progress, growing not just in knowledge but also in maturity.

Think about it. How many times have you started the year with a student who was far behind only to watch that child exceed expectations by year’s end? Maybe you’ve had a student whose behavior was notoriously difficult, but by the end of the year, that child no longer needed a behavior plan. That’s why we teach—to see growth and transformation. We pour ourselves into planning, teaching, guiding, assessing, and reteaching. However, we also know that we can only do so much. Students must show up, engage, and give their best effort. It’s a two-way street.

What’s true in the educational realm is also true for our spiritual growth. As educators, we know that growth takes intentionality—hard work, engagement, feedback, perseverance. So why don’t we approach our relationship with Christ the same way? Peter addressed this matter long ago.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life…and because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:3–4)

In other words, God has given us all we need to grow spiritually, but we still have to access it. Consider these additional thoughts from Peter.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with moral excellence, moral excellence with knowledge.  (2 Peter 1:5–8)

Notice the actions—make every effort, supplement your faith, grow, be productive. Spiritual growth is not passive. Like our students, if we want to mature, we must put in the work. Peter even gives us our very own “learning targets” for spiritual growth.

Moral Excellence:        Choosing what’s right even when it’s hard.

Knowledge:                 Growing in understanding and application of God’s truth.

Self-Control:                Responding with discipline rather than reacting in frustration.

Patient Endurance:      Staying the course when it’s draining.

Godliness:                   Living in a way that reflects God’s character.

Brotherly Affection:     Showing kindness and care to fellow believers.

Love for Everyone:       Extending care even to those who are difficult to love.   

Yes, it’s a tall order, but we aren’t left to figure it out alone. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need. His Word is our lesson plan. The Holy Spirit is our helper.

So here’s my challenge. Set a high bar for your spiritual growth this year. Approach your faith with the same intentionality that you bring to your classroom. Don’t be content to end the year exactly as you began it. For some this may mean committing to daily Bible study and prayer. For others it may be engaging in Christian community. Consider taking one “growth target” from Peter’s list and asking God to shape that quality it in you.

Whatever it looks like, make this a year where your faith is not only personal but productive. Put the fruit of the Spirit on full display this year for your students, colleagues, and everyone you meet. When we grow spiritually, we don’t just change our own lives; we also impact the Kingdom as God uses us to work in the lives of others. If you’d like support in that journey, check out my new book, Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display or visit www.victoriouseducator.com for resources to encourage you.

Let’s make this your best year spiritually and professionally. Set the bar high. Expect God to do great things through you.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:3-8

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Connect with me? jackie@victoriouseducator.com

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