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In session 1, I learned about Grace and its importance in our everyday lives, as well as Australia's shifting perspective towards Religion.

A quote that stood out to me was ‘Where do I find a gracious God?’ by Martin Luther (1483 - 1546). I found this interesting because it seems to be a question that comes up quite regularly for myself and others. Especially when looking back at the spirituality number in Australia, proof seems to be a demanding factor when people make decisions. there seems to be a diminishing belief in Faith and this quote encapsulates that perfectly.

What this means for me and my role is that I need to equip myself with the appropriate knowledge and resources, that when posed with a question similar, I can use analogies and open-minded discussion. As an educator in the Lutheran system, I need to ensure that I am representing God's work as best as I can.

The resources I can refer to include:

bible gateway

LESNW Connect Padlet

Stuart Traegar

My schools Chaplain

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Statements summarizing important ideas and core processes that are central to a discipline and have lasting value beyond the classroom

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God’s word inspires and guides Lutheran education communities

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God has created us for relationships and Christian spirituality finds expression in love, service and our vocations.

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Lutheran education is centered in the belief that God invites all people to join God in ongoing creation and care for the universe.

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God's grace as revealed in Jesus is central to a Lutheran understanding of spirituality.

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What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about educating the current generation, to enable them to be active participants to their lives ands society.

I enjoy connecting with students and watching them succeed as they go through their journey of growth in school.

What do you value?

i value connection, friends, family

I value connection and belonging. I value the outdoors and the opportunities we are lucky enough to have in Australia.

What is important to you?

connection

being a good role model

values

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When you see the diagram below how do you think the areas of Community, Relationships and Vocation work together?

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When you see the diagram below how do you think the areas of Community, Relationships and Vocation work together?

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vocation is about doing things for others, this forms relationships, then with enough connectedness, community forms.

using our strengths to assist others, which benefits more in she scheme of things

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What part of creation makes you go ‘WOW’?

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What part of creation makes you go ‘WOW’?

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the immense diversity and complexity that was created, and how it all works together. it amazes me how big and vast everything is aswell. not only was our earth created, but a whole galaxy, and beyond, for us to explore.

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What does the information reveal about Australia and spirituality

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What does the information reveal about Australia and spirituality

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Spirituality is diminishing in Australia and diversifying towards other forms of faith. In the image above, we see the reasoning and justifications, which paint an interesting image on Australia's continually changing multiculturalism.

An interesting thing to note is that physical science seems to be a huge driving force between choosing aetheism and faith. This may be due to larger volumes of content being available, or the fact that in a world full of unknowns, people want proof of everything.

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The challenge in Australia may be how wellbeing is affected through loss of spiritualism and connections.

This may affect me in the way that open-minded communications and conversations can be had. There may be walls created, or ideas dismissed.

A way I can counter this, is by modelling open-minded communication towards my students.

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How could that challenge become an opportunity?

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How could that challenge become an opportunity?

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people finding further ways to explore spirituality past its traditional confines

allowing connection through discussion

Learn Religions says "It is kindness from God that we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor. It is a gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration (rebirth) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor"

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what has helped?

having open conversations with those that do not judge has really helped me consolidate my faith

what has hindered?

the pressure to know/ understand everything

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God's grace as revealed in Jesus is central to a Lutheran understanding of spirituality

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God's grace as revealed in Jesus is central to a Lutheran understanding of spirituality

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simile: grace is like calm gentle hand guiding you through your troubles

Learn Religions writes "It is kindness from God that we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor. It is a gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration (rebirth) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor"

What this means to me is that as God has given kindness to us free of charge, so should we. This would be imbedded into my pedagogy through the use of restorative practice and open conversation.

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A Lutheran understanding of spirituality is centred in God's grace as revealed in Jesus

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A Lutheran understanding of spirituality is centred in God's grace as revealed in Jesus

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three words:
acceptance
education
forgiveness

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identify how your new responses connect to or shifted from your initial response

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identify how your new responses connect to or shifted from your initial response

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After interacting with various websites, images and videos, I believe my response is generally similar, as grace within the Lutheran system is all about being gently guided. all while experiencing acceptance, forgiveness and education to be an actively participating citizen.

There were a few key standouts, such as the image posted above, as it made me think about where i have seen/ used Grace in my life.

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why is the concept of grace central to a Lutheran approach to spirituality?

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why is the concept of grace central to a Lutheran approach to spirituality?

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As discussed on Learn Religion website, Grace seems to be the foundation of our relationship with God. when we understand and embracing God's grace, we seek to experience a deeper relationship with God, allowing us to experience a more fulfilling connection with those in our daily lives.

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Look like:
classroom - acceptance, support, mutual respect
staffroom - acceptance, support, connection, mutual respect
interacting with parents - conversation, cooperation, mutual respect

sound like:
classroom - words of support, compassion empathy
staffroom - words of support, compassion empathy
interacting with parents - words of support, compassion empathy

Feel like: grace can feel different to all individuals and is difficult to put in one definition.
classroom -
staffroom - connection
interacting with parents -

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In what ways does the concept of grace inform the understanding of my role and my contribution?

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In what ways does the concept of grace inform the understanding of my role and my contribution?

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•How does ‘grace’ inform my practice?

grace is imbedded into my pedagogy with the intention of guiding students gently towards their goals and aspiration, both academically, and socially.

•What intentional practices can I put in place?

through the use of Lutheran values, practices put in place can be viewed through a lens or learning and forgiveness, rather than mistakes and bad behaviour. i can use conversation to teach and not punish, and be kind and forgiving to those i work with.

•What other questions do I have?

1. how can I better imbed Grace into my pedagogy and everyday life?

2. how can I better recognise students' grace?

To better my understanding and answer these questions, I can talk to the school chaplain or even our LESNW representative.

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In session 4 we learned about the Theological teachings in The Bible. This was done through navigating Bible Gateway and where / how God appears to different people, as well as learning about Jonah and the Big Fish.

What this means for our school / our classroom is that we can imbed the most significant aspects of Lutheran theology into our lessons and teaching. Through the use of stories, we can unpack the meanings and metaphors with our students, to teach them what the Bible is trying to say, and how God shows compassion and Grace to everyone (in relation to Jonah and the Big Fish).

The most important factor for our school and classroom is that we can all take a united approach to Lutheran Education and ideologies. By following such practices, we can align ourselves to "THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA AND ITS SCHOOLS" statement, which tell us in section 1.3:

1.3 Specifically, through its schools the church offers a program of Christian education which

• serves students, parents, the church, the community, and the government, by providing a quality education for the whole person

• strives for excellence in the development and creative use by all students of their God-given gifts

• equips students for a life of service to God in the church and the community

• provides an alternative to a secular, humanistic philosophy and practice of education

• includes, as a core part of the program, a Christian Studies curriculum which has been developed deliberately and consciously from the perspective of what the Lutheran church believes and teaches

• involves the school community in regular Christian worship.

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After watching Science and Genesis – N.T. Wright, John Polkinghorne, Alister McGrath, the three insights I have are:

1. when God created heaven and earth as a place to dwell, he then created humans to reflect the world

2. the bible wasnt written to us but for us- it is a method of interpretation, and due to this, everyone can take their own messages and make their own meanings of the word based on their experiences

3. found it interesting that the book of genesis is flattened or interpreted to conform to what society says about religion and the story of creation

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Watch the clip below and record 3 insights (God For Along Side and Within - YouTube)

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Watch the clip below and record 3 insights (God For Along Side and Within - YouTube)

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words are metaphorical and can be changed to suit our context

the image implies that we are one with the divine trinity - it is our place and the body of Christ, who is within us.

We are the second coming of Christ - we see ourselves within him and he within ourselves

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Romans 1:20-23 (MV) - Seeing God in all things

The fact that we are told that everything is created in His image tends to lend itself to some pretty amazing people, places, and experiences. To the standard of society, nothing is necessarily perfect, yet that does not matter, as in His eyes, it is how it is meant to be. This is generally the way I view things. “If it is meant to be it will be”. This mindset is not a cop out to not try and succeed and put in my best effort, it is about understanding, that after all I have gone through and tried, if it does not work out, the plan was then to learn and grow from the experience for next time.

The idea of creation brings about experiences. Tough times make stronger people.

Everything around the world, be it negative or positive don't just happen. they are not random, they are lessons, guidance in moving us along the path chosen for us. It is up to us to determine how we read these messages.

Our understanding of God, comes from the Bible and the messages we read of Jesus.

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What is important in Lutheran Education?

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What is important in Lutheran Education?

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This mindmap was made in collaboration with Daniel Gogoll as we pondered the question "What is important in Lutheran Education?"

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Based upon quotes by Martin Luther, and after interacting with the Session 2 PPT, Creation theology emphasises the beliefs and theories underlying in the creation story. We see patterns such as creation, a fall from grace, redemption and then new creation, and this theology follows an infinite never ending loop

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Image of God - Watch the clip below and record 3 insights

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Image of God - Watch the clip below and record 3 insights

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You cannot reduce the God of creation down to one image or measurement or thing in creation

God has already made images of himself and defined himself throughout his teachings

To truly rule as human, we are to serve and seek what is truly best for others, and most of the time we forget about this and focus on ourselves and what is best for our own gain

God never forces himself on anybody - he tells us we have a choice in how we want to live

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Old Testament Genesis 15:1 – visions to Abram Exodus 3:1-4 – Burning Bush 1 Kings 19:9-13 – low whisper after natural disasters (wind, earthquake, fire) Jeremiah 1:4-5 – simply came to them. Gap of roughly 400 years New Testament Hebrews 1:1-2 God’s Final Word: His Son 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

2 Peter 1:16-21

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How do our values for living together in community, shown here reflect creation theology and the ‘image of God’?

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How do our values for living together in community, shown here reflect creation theology and the ‘image of God’?

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God has all values underpinning his image. he teaches us to show love for one another, give service, and show compassions. to be a community is to show the values of God

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Record 3 insights after watching this - Trees

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Record 3 insights after watching this - Trees

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his reality has always existed and always will exist - this made think about how we can make our own decisions, yet there will always be someone to fall back and refer to.

whats the purpose if life is a blip in time - we are taught that we can live a fulfilling and purposeful through his teachings

where isn't God, his fingerprints are all over the place - this made me think about all of creation and how we are here for a purpose and have a guide in this life

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How does creation theology shape us as individuals and community? 

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How does creation theology shape us as individuals and community? 

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creation theology gives us a blueprint on how we can live our lives with the fullest enjoyment. By following the values set by God, we are able to be active and involved citizens and contribute strong and healthily to ourselves and our community, building a culture of acceptance. love and encouragement.

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In relation to this resource above, I am the one they are looking at, welcoming me to their table. This is my thought, as in Lutheran Theology, God is accepting and welcoming of all.

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Do schools kill creativity? Sir Ken Robinson - Record 3 insights after watching this 

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Do schools kill creativity? Sir Ken Robinson - Record 3 insights after watching this 

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1.  creativity is the essence of individuality - we are given the choice to live as God suggests, and we can still do so as individuals

2. creativity is as important as literacy and should be treated as such

3. if you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original - to be wrong is to learn and to seek out curiosity

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How does creation theology inform our approach to education? 

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How does creation theology inform our approach to education? 

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Creation theology informs our approach to education as we are able to see each student as an individual, yet still connected as a blueprint / model based on God. This allows us to build on their knowledge and values, and teach them to be kind, courageous, and supportive.

we can do this in the way we deliver and what we deliver as content. We are involved in ongoing creation.

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Watch – Loved back to life– Nadia Bolz-WeberThe Work of The People | Film | Loved Back to Life(It will only let you watch the first 2mins – That is OKRecord 3 insights after watching this

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Watch – Loved back to life– Nadia Bolz-WeberThe Work of The People | Film | Loved Back to Life(It will only let you watch the first 2mins – That is OKRecord 3 insights after watching this

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- things aren't perfect, and if they were why would we need God

- religion used as a way to perfect our lives, though it may be the rough patches that we are with God

- we are saved from ourselves

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Where are the links, connections between your values and those of Lutheran Education?

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Where are the links, connections between your values and those of Lutheran Education?

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With reference to Lutheran Mindmap above and based upon personal reflections and the creation of my own mindmap, the link I aim to make between myself and Lutheran Education include:

role modelling

catering for the needs and education of individuals

aligning to state curriculum

serving families and students

having core values that align with Lutheran ideologies

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How does God's word inform Lutheran Education, communities, and my role?

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How does God's word inform Lutheran Education, communities, and my role?

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There are many resources created by the Lutheran Education system, these can include:

Lutheran Framework

The Lutheran Schools Framework aligns Ethos and Paradigms about ourselves and the learners to what core values a Lutheran School aims to employ, which develops lifelong qualities for learners.

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An unresolved issue I have is a lack of knowledge when it comes to the Bible and certain teachings and meanings within the Lutheran religion.

My learning plan is to be in consultation with our School Chaplain (Josh Hein), learn how to use Bible Gateway and utilise the resources from the Connect training.

As a result I will have the relevant knowledge and understanding of the Lutheran Religion and God's teachings to better inform my teaching as well as passing on my knowledge to my students, whether through direct teachings or by role modelling the Lutheran Core Values of:

Love, Justice, Compassion, Forgiveness, Service, Humility, Courage Hope, Quality and Appreciation

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Those jagged edges of our humanity are the places where God gets hold of us’‘When we get things wrong, that’s not the thing that defines us, not the final word.’ What do you think all this means for our relationships with others?

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Those jagged edges of our humanity are the places where God gets hold of us’‘When we get things wrong, that’s not the thing that defines us, not the final word.’ What do you think all this means for our relationships with others?

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its easy to get carried away and judge others for the actions we see, however, that may not be the full and final picture of a person.

this is an opportunity for growth as we can celebrate each others imperfections

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What is something new you learned? What question/s did it raise for you?

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What is something new you learned? What question/s did it raise for you?

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Learned
- vocation means calling (one's calling)
- everything can be a vocation because you are working towards your purpose

questions
- what if your passions or interests aren't a benefit to society
- its fair enough to want to help the world and the people around you, but what if it is constantly only one way? not necessarily seeking gratification, but when people just expect the help

- helping others vs self-preservation

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What did this make you think about?
I think this is a very important message, especially in today's society. We live in a time of great change and uncertainty and bussyness. It can be easy to feel like our work doesn't matter or that we are not making a difference. But the doctrine of vocation reminds us that our work is always important, no matter what it is. We are all called to use our gifts and talents to serve others, and in doing so, we are working to build God's kingdom.

What questions does this make you want to ask?

- What are my God-given gifts and talents?

- How can I use my gifts and talents to serve others?

- How can I be more grateful for the work that I do, even if it is not glamorous or well-paying?

-How can I be more mindful of the ways that I am dependent on others, and the ways that others are dependent on me

What is your understanding of vocation?

My understanding of vocation is that it is a calling to use our gifts and talents to serve and help others. It is not just about our work, but also about our families, our relationships, and our participation in the community. It is about finding ways to use our gifts and talents to make a difference beyond ourselves.

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Read through Vocational Practices from Growing Deep

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Read through Vocational Practices from Growing Deep

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Based on that, and your knowledge of schools, list all the vocations required in a typical Lutheran school. Identify the vocation, and how it contributes to the mission and ministry of the school.

vocation - how it contributes

Teachers:  responsible for providing quality instruction to students. They help students learn and grow in their academic, social, and emotional development. Teachers also contribute to the mission and ministry of the school by sharing their faith with students and modelling Christian values.

Admin staff:  responsible for the overall operation of the school. They set policies and procedures, hire and manage staff, and oversee the budget. Administrators also contribute to the mission and ministry of the school by creating a positive and supportive learning environment for students and staff.

Support staff: Support staff, such as cleaners, maintenance, canteen workers, and bus drivers, play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the school. They keep the school clean and safe, provide food for students, and transport students to and from school. Support staff also contribute to the mission and ministry of the school by creating a welcoming and inviting environment for students and families.

Parents: Parents are the first and most important educators of their children. They provide love, support, and guidance to their children at home. Parents also contribute to the mission and ministry of the school by supporting the school's goals and objectives.

Community members: Community members are also partners in the mission and ministry of the Lutheran school. They can support the school by volunteering, donating, and advocating for the school. Community members can also contribute to the school's mission and ministry by sharing their faith and values with students and staff

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With all this in mind, as the community of Faith Lutheran College:

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With all this in mind, as the community of Faith Lutheran College:

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What can we do more of?
- host events that bring together the community
- continue to serve community through community project, personal project and district focus weeks

What can we do less of?
- less expectation of how it will benefit the school, and more emphasis on the students and community

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Why does Lutheran education value community?

Students learn better in a supportive environment, Students develop stronger relationships with their teachers and peers, Students have opportunities to grow spiritually, Students learn the importance of giving back to others.

In what ways has the learning about community relationships informed your understanding of your role and contribution?

I have learned the importance of focussing on community and relationships first, and learning second, as students learn better when they feel supported and as though they belong.

What questions or issues does the concept raise for me and how can I explore my questions?

- what if your passions or interests aren't a benefit to society?

- its fair enough to want to help the world and the people around you, but what if it is constantly only one way? not necessarily seeking gratification, but when people just expect the help

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How does God's word inform Lutheran Education, communities, and my role?

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How does God's word inform Lutheran Education, communities, and my role?

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Growing Deep

The Growing Deep framework discusses that Leadership and Formation framework is the foundation of Lutheran Education is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This means that the story of Jesus is foundational to who we are as a community, school and individuals. We keep coming back to this notion through chapels, devotions, LIFE and Village time.

These resources help us to align our values and beliefs with that of Lutheran Education to assist in creating students who have God's Grace to realise their potential.

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How do you feel about leading devotions?  What might be some of the challenges regarding this?

I am always willing to give things a try. My understanding of some concepts is still lacking, though I do try to ask questions whenever I am unsure.

A challenge could be not being able to answer some questions students may ask due to lack of knowledge.

What questions do you have about anything is this induction session or the Lutheran church in general?

None at this stage, though if I need assistance in planning a devotion, I can refer to the LCA daily devotion website, which has been linked below:

https://www.lca.org.au/category/daily-devotion/

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What are the most significant aspects of Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Education?

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What are the most significant aspects of Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Education?

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The most significant aspects of Lutheran theology in reference to the imbedment within Lutheran Education is the meaning and metaphors within each story and how we can apply these messages to our teachings and core values.

For example, in "Enterthebible.org", Jacobson discusses theological themes that are littered throughout the Jonah and the Fish narrative. We see glimpses and teachings of God's Mercy, which is evident when God discusses the notion that "God's Mercy and love are not just for the chosen people, but for all sinners, even those whom Jonah has reason to hate (Ninevites)" (Jacobson, A).

The theme of Creation is also utilised and discussed on "Enterthebible.org", as we see the creation of storms, a big fish, a shade giving plant, a destructive worm (that needs the plant to live), and expressions of concern for all people, including Ninevites, whom Jonah believes to be too sinful.

Through the use of metaphors and underlying messages within the Bible, we as educators are able to unpack the lessons, to better reflect and inform our own pedagogical practice, allowing us to pass on this knowledge to our students through analogies and role modelling and explanations.

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Devotion centred around "Jonah and the Whale" created in collaboration with Daniel and John

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Devotion centred around "Jonah and the Whale" created in collaboration with Daniel and John

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This PPT was created as a devotion in Connect Session 4, in collaboration with John Tiver and Daniel Gogoll

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1. At what point does compassion for repeated behaviours become signs of weakness?

2. How can I further cement my understandings of the underlying messages within the Bible?

3. How can I find out which language is appropriate when planning and discussing Lutheran ideologies?