What Does Day-to-Day Discipleship Look Like at NCA?
Sometimes, in my role at Naples Christian Academy, I get to interact with prospective parents. Emily Klefeker, our Director of Admission, is very busy this time of yearwith inquiries, tours, and enrollment work. So, I have the great privilege of providing support from time to time.
Yesterday, I spoke with a prospective parent who is considering relocating to Southwest Florida. She had emailed and inquired about the school, sending us a variety of questions covering an array of school topics.
My favorite one was this:
How does discipleship practically show up in the day-to-day experience for students?
This was my answer:
The process of discipleship at NCA is immersive -- it's an all day, everyday process, and every part of our school day is designed to allow teachers and staff members to speak truth into the hearts of the children at NCA.
Ultimately, teachers partner with parents to ensure student discipleship -- or "training up children in the way they should go so that when they are older, they will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). A teacher's ability to disciple students is entirely dependent upon that teacher's own spiritual foundation, formation, and walk with Jesus. An excellent teacher uses every opportunity to point students to the truth of God's Word. He or she prays daily, keeps in step with the Holy Spirit, and is "like a tree firmly planted" (Psalm 1:3). As teachers, we cannot pour from an empty vessel. We must continually be formed by biblical truth and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12). In this way, student discipleship isn't a box to check -- rather, at NCA, it is a counter-cultural way of living.
Day-to-day discipleship and spiritual formation is not a to-do list. Rather, as a school, we create an environment conducive to reinforcing the truth of God's Word in the hearts and lives of the students we're privileged to serve and instruct. Every part of the school day, every subject area, every activity we plan is a chance for us to point kids to biblical truth. It's not about a singular scripture verse that ties perfectly in with a history lesson (although that could be part of it); rather, discipleship is all about seeing and knowing students and caring for and providing for their formation over the course of their time at Naples Christian Academy.
Discipline plays into this -- our philosophy of discipline is connected to our ability to form and shape students' hearts and minds. Correcting them and training them up in the way they should go.
Discipleship is 100% relational, and teaching at NCA is relational ministry.
Academics and discipleship go hand in hand here. We are a school -- an academic institution. We prioritize learning outcomes, and as a Christian school, we believe its our God-given imperative to seek excellence in everything we do. We desire to shape students' hearts and minds with the truth. When we know students and love them, academic excellence and seeking students' flourishing in their learning is a natural outcome. This looks like individualized instruction, inspirational leadership in the classroom, pursuit of passion and interest, and encouragement of inquiry and creativity. Our teachers have a big job, and they wear it so well! When I go into classrooms, I see teachers meeting one on one with individual students, small group instruction, direct instruction, and hands-on activities. For our amazing teachers, discipleship fits perfectly into this educational model.
Are you curious to learn more about how I get to see discipleship happening in the day-to-day at Naples Christian Academy? I'd love to talk more! And maybe answer some questions YOU might have!
Students getting involved
