We believe missionary teachers should weave the truth of the gospel into every lesson they teach. Gospel-woven instruction is the practice of speaking the truth of Jesus into every subject that is taught. This is not merely putting a verse in the middle of a math or science lesson. Rather, it is finding a way to speak truth about who God is in every single subject. If God is the creator of all things, then all things must reflect Him in some way. If done effectively, every math, social studies, or science class is really a Bible class that teaches the students more about the gospel and the glory of God.
As Christians, we believe the best type of school is a Gospel-Saturated School. So what is a Gospel-Saturated School? According to Webster’s dictionary, the word saturate means to fill completely with something that permeates or pervades. A Gospel-Saturated School is a place where students not only encounter the truth of Jesus in one class but where the love and grace of Jesus are experienced all throughout the school. This type of school is largely dependent upon teachers who are themselves saturated in the gospel, who understand their calling as missionaries and naturally weave the Gospel into their teaching, discipline, relationships, and daily example.
INVESTING OUR STUDENTS Through GSS
Making Disciples
In Gospel-centered discipline, we recognize the opportunity to shepherd and resist the temptation to allow our emotions to take over. Discipline is a huge part of a teacher’s job. When it comes to discipline, it is very easy to tell students to stop a behavior or they will be in trouble. However, this is not the way we are called to discipline as Christians. If our discipline only corrects a behavior and not the heart, then we are doing it wrong. Gospel-centered discipline focuses on the heart and what students believe about God which will change how they act. Anytime we see bad behavior, we know that the root of that behavior is a false belief about who God is. It is here, in these opportunities, that we are able to shepherd our students to the truths of who God is and what He has done.
Gospel example is the way in which our students will see the love of Jesus tangibly in our lives in how we love, care, and support them. 1 Peter 2:11-12 says, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Gospel example is living a life in and outside the classroom that demands a Gospel explanation. In other words, living in such a way that people look at us and the gospel of Jesus is the only explanation for the love, care, joy, and hope that we have.
As missionary teachers, we follow God’s example by pursuing relationships with students and their families outside of the classroom. Teachers are motivated by all that God is and what He has done for us to pursue our families like we have been pursued. Teachers go to birthday parties, invite families over for dinner, and go watch their kids perform and play sports. It is these opportunities that families are able to see the love that each teacher has for Christ and their students.
HOW OUR SCHOOLS
Grow the Church
When students and parents come to saving faith in Jesus we embrace our opportunity to train and equip our students to enter the world in whichever profession they choose and use that as a platform to reach others with the gospel.
GEM Schools are not a replacement for the local church. We believe that local churches should be grown and strengthened by families that come to faith in Jesus through our schools.
We believe new churches should be planted all around the world. Our desire is that the families reached by our GEM schools would be used to assist in the planting process.
