• What are some important aspects of spirituality from a Lutheran perspective?

• In what ways might the concept of grace shape Lutheran Education communities?

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

Some important aspects of spirituality from the Lutheran perspective written by Christensen (2004) is that we have been saved by God's grace alone. Through Jesus, we are saved and the bible is a source of teaching and inspiration. Grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness are key values that are apart of everything that is done. Another key perspective is that God isn't above us, he is right here with us through the good and the bad. 

The Lutheran perspective states that we have the gift of Grace because Jesus has died for our sins, allowing our sins to be washed free.

The concept of grace can shape Lutheran education communities through the ways that teachers and staff see their role in education. We as staff can focus and teach students that through the admission of sins and freedom of things that hold us down, we have grace and this can be liberating. Phillip Yancey (2014) shares that through Grace we get love and forgiveness and as teachers in the Lutheran education system, it is this love and forgiveness that we can give and show children.

• How does creation theology inform the why and how of Lutheran Education?

• How does creation theology shape an aspect of your work with students?

Lutheran education is centred in the belief that God invites all people to join God in ongoing creation and care for the universe. We do this knowing that man is responsible to God and that we should mirror how God would create. Ultimately this reflects (Image of God) on how we should complete our day to day lives and undertake our job roles in life. This also plays a significant role in the "why" of Lutheran Education. The foundation of a Lutheran school should be created from the ground up using key Christian values. The way that God spent love and care in his creation, the Lutheran Education should mimic the same. Dominion as mentioned in Genesis is not to abuse the powers of care but to serve with Gods best interest at heart. So the "how" follows through with serving those within the education system; co-workers, students or any other person whose is connected. 

So this then highlights the significance and connection between creation theology and working with students. It shows the importance that all lives matter as everything God created was good (Genesis 1:31). We as teachers should acknowledge students strengths and weaknesses. We should encourage students to celebrate God's creation and help them to use their gifts by providing opportunities and classrooms to flourish (Bartsch, 2013). 

• Why does Lutheran education value community?

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

Lutheran education values community as everything that we do is a reflection of God and that how we relate to each other should be in relation to God.

Lutheran education is built on the values of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, service, humility, courage, hope, quality and appreciation. It is also a reflection that the school is apart of a wider community with contributions and diversity. This diversity is celebrated as every student, teacher or staff member at the school is unique and has different God given talents. By valuing community and this diversity, Lutheran education can support the growth of individuals and their journey with Christ.

"As a consequence vocation has to do not only with what it is we do, but how we do it, and with what understanding we do it.  Each of these dimensions has the power to change the others." (Vocation, T. Christenson).

This is informed my understandings

• How can we know about God?

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

The bible "Tanak" are speakings form God. God is bringing together hope and restoration which is the "Good News" which is found in the scripture. The bible presents as a story which encapulates relationships and experiences as a living text. This allows it's readers to connect through story.

Dadirri (indigenous word for inner deep listening and quiet stillness) relates to this listening, connecting and being open to God. Often life is so busy and complex that we forget to pause, listen and reflect. Listening is a skill that many are yet to master but it is so critical to understanding and viewing the world and stories of the bible. Connecting to the bible or through church and communities (school or external) you are able to learn and know more about God.

God's word is used to form the foundations of Lutheran Education and the dispositions we encourage students to encapsulate.

This framework is connected to the schools policies and culture as Lutheran schools are communities nurtured by the promises of God's word. Our school is built on the word of the bible and these messages are spread throughout students education. This is through chapel, morning devotions, worship songs, whole block devotions, prayer and sharing of the bible and teachings in Christian Studies.

The versions of the bible include different names of things and knowing these can help make connections.

There is often so much information in the bible that it is often to know where to start. We encourage students at school to read the bible but if we don't know where to start or how to guide them then it can be overwhelming and off putting. Creating strategies and explicitly teaching this can be a good tool or starting point for students to read the bible. This would be an interesting area to explore in the future.

It has been a reminder that I have young people looking up to me and that my words and actions make an impact.

Exploring the bible through the 3 lenses of the world- behind, of and in front of the text- has enabled me to consider how I think about the Bible and teachings from it. This models has enabled greater understanding, thinking and reasoning as well as supporting application and connection to my own life. The bible is ultimately about Jesus and reflecting on how the text relates back to this is a skill that many are yet to master. It is important as teaching young students in Christian studies there will always be lots of questions, different interpretations and understandings. By providing a framework such as this one to look at the text in the bible, it can help break down the text or passage to become more manageable.

These learnings have sparked new questions such as is there an age appropriate structure that I can follow within my classroom for devotions to help students have a better understanding of the bible?

It has also provoked thoughts about how teaching Christian studies does not have to be rigid and set within a defined lesson but can be throughout the day. This could be in the form of small teachable moments or through our schools restorative practice.

Moving forward I would like to research some devotional plans for our mornings to create some structure and explore some of the useful tools we have been provided such as BibleGateway, Enter the Bible and the Lion handbook and encyclopaedia to the bible.

I could also talk to our school Chaplain and other teachers to create a collection of resources for morning devotions and Christian studies units.

I can also develop my understanding of Lutheran education and teaching Christian studies through the next course of Equip.

The quote "when we get things wrong, that's not the thing that defines us, not the final word" has really resonated with me through this connect session as in life we can dwell on the failures that we experience. Having a positive outlook and being able to learn from these experiences is what shapes us and makes us stronger and I think this is an important message to take back to the classroom. Students experience failure all the time whether it be in social or academic situations so it is so critical that in my role I make opportunities to help students learn from these "failures".