Faith Formation at Donvale

If we desire every Donvale student to grow as a disciple of Christ, it is essential that we first understand and align ourselves with God’s vision for discipleship.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20

Matthew reminds us that all authority is through Jesus, in heaven and on earth. And he promises to be with us always. Recognising our fallen humanity, none of us are competent disciplers if not for the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to join God in His work of discipleship, reconciliation and renewal.

What does it mean then, to be a disciple of Christ? 

A disciple of Christ is one who has accepted the saving work of Jesus and puts their faith and trust in what Jesus has accomplished on the cross (Acts 4:12). Discipleship continues through Christ alone, by grace alone, as we obey His teachings and seek the transformational work of the Holy Spirit to fashion our hearts and actions to be more like Him (Eph 2:8-9) and for the sake of others, not just ourselves (Gal 4:19).

As a Christian School, we recognise three essential foundations to faith formation and to a child putting their trust and faith in Christ alone. For our generation, the transition through these may have been an ordered and sequential journey. It can be described as a progression from head (knowing Gods truth) to heart (Loving God and being transformed) to hands (living out faith through action and service). 

For our young people, impacted by a different societal culture from ours, the journey and order can be significantly different. Nonetheless the foundational elements that our college can provide in partnership with home and church, remain the same. The first foundation, is being part of a community characterised by the empowering presence of God; a positive, cohesive and explicitly Christian school culture centred in Christ and faithful to scripture. 

Paul reminds us in Ephesians, 

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

From a community growing in unity in Christ, the second foundation is fostered. That is a network of intentional, positive relationships. We partner with families and their faith communities to provide students with a strong relational ecosystem, critical to this generation's positive experience of faith formation and its trajectory. This unity in Christ and relationships characterised by acceptance, understanding and anchored in trust, supports students’ deep sense of belonging and feeling valued. A firm foundation to spiritual wellbeing. 

It is within this relationally grounded network that considered formational experiences (curriculum, home groups, camps and student-initiated events) can move students from inherited belief to an active personal faith. Creating moments of personal choice, engaging teaching, modelling and mentoring others, students are encouraged to actively choose to trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord and live as Jesus would. They grow in Christlikeness as a community, supported at age-appropriate stages though learning and understanding God’s word and the witness of friends, teacher disciplers and mentors.

This generation are keenly aware of a world broken by sin, a world not as God intended. They see the lost and hurting both within and beyond their community. Yet whilst rates of anxiety, loneliness and depression among our young people have increased, so too has their yearning for meaning and purpose. They are searching for the solid ground in a sea of uncertainty. Service offers the bridge to meaning and purpose.

Service opportunities are the third foundation of discipleship that lead our students towards Christian faith, helping them experience the gospel in action, and not just learn about it intellectually. We provide meaningful engagement opportunities that can help awaken personal interest and curiosity, revealing God’s character and their own inherent God given gifts. It is essential that we move beyond the ‘Christian bubble’, take risks and join in the mission He is already doing. 

Jesus commands us to love Him and love others. In Mark we are told to,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:30-31 

From our relationship with God and our love for Him comes a response to love all people and proclaim Christ. We are to bring Christ into our daily lives and therefore every space in our school and beyond: ‘always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks…to give the reason for the hope that we have’. (paraphrased from 1 Peter 3:15). 

If you would like to explore student faith formation further, I invite you to join me (Viv Stapleton), Executive Principal Rebecca Hall, and Faith Formation Researcher Dr Rowan Lewis as we share how faith formation initiatives across the Donvale journey are shaped by contemporary research and evidence-based practice. 

You will gain insight into what is happening across both Primary and Secondary School, learn more about the key factors that influence faith development, and discover practical ways to strengthen this vital partnership between home, church and school. 

Monday 7 September - 7.00pm - Community Hub Foyer.