Growing Together

On Tuesday morning, the middle and senior school student leaders organised and ran a student worship morning during homeroom devotions. An open invitation was extended to Year 7 to 12 students.  After the initial nerves and wondering if anyone would show up (which, they did!), we sang a song, and listened to Eden - one of our Vice Captains - share a message. It was short and sweet, but it warmed my heart to see students gathering as a community to grow in their faith and encourage one another. 

Last week, over a couple of lunchtimes, I had quite a different series of gatherings. I invited a small group of Year 12 students to discuss a fairly divisive contemporary cultural issue. The purpose of this discussion was to hear and understand different perspectives and viewpoints, to listen actively and to discourse respectfully. I was very encouraged by the mature conversations and willingness to dialogue openly that was demonstrated by our senior school students. 

What these two experiences share, is how as humans, we are created as communal beings who grow together in community. When reflecting on the worship morning, I am reminded of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.’ It is important to be encouraged by people who share faith and values similar to ours. It is encouraging, edifying and crucial for our faith journey. However, of equal value is the opportunity to discourse with those who might share a different opinion or hold to different ideals. The Year 12’s open-minded discussions demonstrated the power of respectful dialogue within a community, and how "iron sharpens iron." (Proverbs 27:17). 

This verse reminds us that through engaging in meaningful conversations with others, we can refine our thoughts and gain new perspectives, ultimately growing in wisdom and understanding.

It is difficult to do anything well in isolation; we need others to sharpen us, refine our thinking, convict us when we mess up and encourage us to keep going. Whilst this seems to be becoming increasingly difficult in a world saturated with incendiary rhetoric and polarising debate, from our little corner in the Hills, I felt truly proud of watching our young people choose to engage in community together.