The Discipline that Keeps Us Holy

We must teach young disciples by word and example that staying holy in an increasingly unholy world requires rigorous spiritual discipline...

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him (Luke 21:34-38).

Jesus continued preparing His disciples for life in the last days. We’ve learned that the last days began with His ascension and will end with His return… “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:10-11). Our lord gave much revelation about the conditions and signs of the last days, promising that with increasing intensity the unbelieving world would become more perplexed while we, His disciples should become more prepared for His return. He also gave us a set of spiritual exercises to keep us set apart for kingdom building work through to the end of these last days and today we are challenged to engage wholeheartedly in the discipline that keeps us holy.

Maturing disciples must strengthen ourselves. A true disciple is always growing. Like healthy physical growth, healthy spiritual growth and vitality requires a proper diet. The right nourishment for growing disciples is the truth found in God’s Word… “Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus acknowledged this truth (see Luke 4:4), and the Holy Spirit affirmed it through the letter to the Hebrews… “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12). To stay strong in the faith, make sure you’re feeding your hungry spirit the faith building truth of God’s Word every day!

Diligent disciples must stay awake. A true disciple has increasing discernment. One primary characteristic of the last days will be a proliferation of false teachers… “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). In today’s text Jesus reveals a connection between strong spiritual discernment and prayer. He affirmed this relationship in a warning to His disciples… “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). To grow strong in the spirit, spend quality time with Jesus Christ in prayer every day.

Faithful disciples must stand up for Christ. A true disciple will provoke opposition. We are living according to a never-changing truth in an ever-changing world and as we are abiding and immersed in the truth of God’s word our increasingly holy lives will convict and stir up the rebellion and wickedness that enslaves the hearts of unbelievers… “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19). The Spirit affirms this truth through Paul’s letter to Timothy… “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus knows how lonely we sometimes feel as family, friends, and others find it easier to abandon us than to hang out with us to get to know the Christ who has captured our hearts and lives within us. That’s why He promises us that we will never be alone if we live for Him… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He also revealed that when we stand up for Him in this unrighteous world we will be blessed just as the prophets who stood up for God in every generation… “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Don’t miss the prophetic blessings of standing up for Jesus today!

As we grow up into Christ, we become more available and prepared disciples as we follow…

The Discipline that Keeps Us Holy.

The Seven Liberal Arts

The liberal arts (Latin: artes liberales) are those subjects or skills that are considered essential to preparing a person to think critically, and therefore to be liberated or freed to take an active part in civic life. For Ancient Greece, this kind of freedom encouraged participating in public debate, defending oneself in court, serving on juries, engaging in an occupation of choice, and most importantly, military service. Grammar, logic, and rhetoric were the core liberal arts, while arithmetic, geometry, the theory of music, and astronomy also played a part in education. The liberal arts are defined as:

The Trivium: The place where three roads meet

Grammar: Teaches the mechanics of language to the student. This is the step where the student "comes to terms", i.e. defining the objects and information perceived by the five senses. Hence, the Law of Identity: a tree is a tree, and not a cat.

Logic (also dialectic): Teaches the mechanics of thought and of analysis; the process of identifying fallacious arguments and statements, and so systematically removing contradictions, thereby producing factual knowledge that can be trusted.

Rhetoric: Teaches the application of language in order to instruct and to persuade the listener and the reader. It is the knowledge (grammar) now understood (logic) being transmitted outwards, as wisdom (rhetoric).

The Trivium: In summary

Grammar is concerned with the thing as it is symbolized. Logic is concerned with the thing as it is known. Rhetoric is concerned with the thing as it is communicated.

The Quadrivium: The place where four roads meet

Arithmetic: number (pure)

Geometry: number in space (stationary)

Music: number in time (moving)

Astronomy: number in space and time (applied)

The Quadrivium: In summary

The quadrivium was considered preparatory work for the serious study of philosophy (sometimes called the "liberal art par excellence") and theology.

You can see why we believe that alongside of the discovery and application of revealed Biblical truth, the classical method of learning in the liberal arts tradition sets young hearts and minds free to reason Biblically and empowers them to shape the culture of the next generation.

The Trivium of Homework

“Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The golden thread that links the family, the local church, and the Christian school together is the primary ministry of discipleship. Part of the classical Christian school’s responsibility as part of this disciple-making team is to encourage a balance of the time and energy demands of all three of these partners on caring parents. Here is a brief summary of the classical Christian view of homework in the learning process.

Please note the overlap in grades below is because we should begin to transition students into the next stage at age-appropriate times.

In the Grammar stage (Grades K4-6), homework serves to reinforce the mastery of important facts and information that students will begin to work with in later stages of learning. There is much repetition and memorization in Grammar stage homework. Most Grammar stage homework should be completed in class, leaving more time for study and test preparation with the encouragement of parents at home.

In the Logic stage of learning (Grades 5-8), homework introduces students to the relationship between facts as they explore and discover God’s perspective and sovereignty over His creation. There is more student responsibility for organization, time management, reading, research, and reporting in Logic stage homework. Logic stage students are expected to begin doing a little more homework at home in order to begin to develop self-directed study habits.

In the Rhetoric stage of learning (Grades 8-12), homework challenges students to begin developing communicative skills through working with the facts. Creativity, productivity, speech, writing, debate, and more are the essence of homework in the Rhetoric stage. Rhetoric stage students are preparing for university and beyond, where most learning actually takes place outside of the classroom and is increasingly more self-directed.

Grammar stage homework and study time should take 30-60 minutes each evening.

Logic stage homework and study time should take 60-90 minutes each evening.

Rhetoric stage homework and study time should take 90-120 minutes each evening.

It should be the classical Christian teacher’s common practice to:

Communicate clearly with parents regarding homework assignments and expectations, and to listen closely and responsively to parent concerns regarding homework.

Use class time to make sure students understand and know how to complete the homework assigned. In addition to homework, daily classwork not completed in class will be sent home to be completed and returned the next school day. This enables teachers to observe and guide students in the work they might have to complete at home under the supervision of parents.

Respond promptly and individually to students who may be having difficulty completing assignments or taking too much time to complete homework.

Learning is the primary vocation of your child at this special stage of their life. While your child’s learning happens at many times and in many places, the primary arena of their learning is the home and the school. This is where homework can be a valuable tool in preparing them for learning success in thirteenth grade (college or career) and beyond!

The Trivium and Technology

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Computers are everywhere. Technology is rapidly evolving and we are quickly becoming immersed in and dependent upon an increasingly complex and vulnerable computer driven culture. Most of us have several computers. We depend on laptops, desktops, phones, and tablets. Then there are the special-purpose computers we rely on to give us directions, monitor and respond to phone and text messages. Computers run our refrigerators, vehicles, televisions and more. The question is not whether or not we should show our children how to use computers, but will we teach them the Biblical Trivium (knowledge, understanding, and wisdom) of computers and related technology? In other words, aren’t parents and the teachers employed by them responsible to teach our children God’s truth about computers so they will understand how they work and become skilled in using them for holy purposes? Effective classical and Christian teaching in the area of technology should result in graduates who are less vulnerable to cyber control and are better prepared to lead the way in impacting an increasingly technological culture for Christ in thirteenth grade and beyond!

There is a grammar (knowledge) of computers. Before they begin to use computers, students should learn the basics of how computers work. In this stage of learning, students discover and begin to master keyboarding and computer language skills.

There is a logic (understanding) of computers. After mastering the basics and learning how computers work, students can be introduced to why we use computers and the right and wrong ways we can make computers work for us. In this stage of learning, students discover and begin to master the tools that make computers work, like word processing, data management, and other applications.

There is a rhetoric (wisdom) of computers. After mastering the basics and learning how computers work, students are ready to discover and master new ways to put computers to work effectively. In this stage of learning, students begin to design new computers and applications, to write new computer programs, and to use computers to impact their world for Christ.

Students that learn the science of computers God’s way will be less vulnerable to dependence upon and manipulation by an increasingly technological culture, but instead will be more effective culture shaping Christian witnesses to their generation.

The Exponential Growth of Classical Christian Education

“Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it”

(Proverbs 22:6).

Is there a tested and proven method of learning prescribed by the Bible?

Is there a tried and consistent method of learning that has been studied throughout history?

Is there a successful method of learning that is pedagogically developmental?

(goes with the grain)

Is there an attractive method of learning that is capturing the attention of educators and parents?

We believe there is, and it’s called Classical Christian Education!

And others are taking notice…

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-exponential-growth-of-classical-christian-education

The Trivium in the Bible

Classical learning is classical because…

   1. It is close to the original (the way God made) way of learning

   2. It is not conquered by modern fads or by the traditions and philosophies of man

   3. It is an influential force that conquers and shapes cultures

If classical learning is truly classical, then we should find much evidence of the Trivium (knowledge or grammar, understanding or logic, wisdom or rhetoric) in God’s Word, and we do…

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6

---

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Proverbs 14:6

---

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

---

Youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1:4

---

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; Daniel 2:21

---

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Colossians 1:9

---

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

Walking in the Truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth’ (3 John 1:4).

One of the most important priorities that sets Covenant Christian School apart from other schools, and sometimes from other Christian schools, is our dedication to helping students discover and rely upon the truth revealed in God’s Word. While it sounds noble, some Christian schools boast that they integrate Biblical truth into every subject they teach. The problem with integrating truth is that it implies that truth is separate from the creation that we are studying in the classroom, and that we must “plug truth into” our lesson plans. The Bible refutes any such separation with a marvelous declaration that all of creation is a revelation of God’s glory, character, and truth… “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2). In fact, cultivating a love of truth and learning about the indispensability of truth is a key characteristic of a great teacher that should be passed on to students.

The urgency of our mission is highlighted by the recent announcement of Oxford Dictionary’s word-of-the-year… post-truth: adjective, relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.¹ Can you begin to imagine living in a world where objective facts are irrelevant? What kind of culture might result if emotion and personal belief trumps reality? Considering the definition of insanity is, being out of touch with reality, such a world and culture would truly be insane!

Yet, just how sane is a world where Christian parents allow Godless schools to shape the hearts and minds of the children God has entrusted to their care and called them to raise as disciples of Jesus Christ? Just how sane is the disconnection between church, family, and schools that are supposed to be intimately linked together by the common mission of making disciples… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Let’s face the truth, the world is just as relentless and aggressive as ever in its effort to deny, degrade, and redefine the definition of truth. But God’s definition will stand forever. All that He has created is for His glory and is meant to show us who He really is… “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Let’s step up our engagement with His truth in our own lives and help our children discover and enjoy the special blessings of…

Walking in the Truth

¹ https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/press/news/2016/11/17/WOTY-16