Christian Formation

And so we are already at our final week of term. I find it’s always a beautiful opportunity to finish term 1 with such a significant moment of our faith, being the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Easter sums up both the suffering and the resurrection we get to partake in Christ. 

As He offered up His body and poured out His blood, and took on inconceivable wounds for our sakes, so we also remember what it means to suffer for Him as living sacrifices in this lifetime. The work we do, the sacrifices we make, the time stewarded for the Kingdom – all of it is seen by our Saviour who receives it as worship unto Him. 

But so also the joys of learning, teaching, serving, walking the road of discipleship - though it costs us much, the death of self, and though it is often unseen and unrecognised by man, there is such abundant life and joy to be found in Christ. Our old man is put to death, and now we live and reign in the new man resurrected by the power of the Spirit. It is this resurrection life we finish the term in. Though we may be tired, weary, at the end of ourselves even, we know that it is just a shadow of how we will finish this lifetime and enter into eternal life and rest in the bosom of our Saviour.

It’s been so fulfilling to see our students step into who they’ve been created to be as disciples of Jesus, and being His hands and feet in building His kingdom here on earth. I’ve proudly watched our middle school students take great initiative, courage, and leadership as they’ve taken risks to say “Yes” to God’s call on their lives. They’ve spoken and even performed publicly and boldly, both their faith and the gospel, they’ve led discipleship groups, run worship events, and so often have been willing to step into spaces that are challenging but which they’ve refused to submit to fear that may hinder them from being stretched and subsequently filled in God’s power.

Similarly in the senior students there has been a hunger and desire to make the Gospel known amongst their peers: “No-one said they’re not open” a student reflected, as she shared her heart to see her year level discover God’s love. This divine urgency amongst her and her Christian peers has led to many invitations to local youth groups and churches, with many of their friends coming for the first time and experiencing the power and love of God. 

This is why we do Christian discipleship in schools, to empower and activate the giftings and callings in our students, to see them fulfill the great commission as they are led by the Spirit. Our role is to point the way to Jesus, as John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God”, to see Him rightly, to know Him as our Beloved. This end of term 1 conjoining with Easter is a moment to reflect on how Christ suffered for us, resurrected in glorious victory, and therefore we simply become lower so that He may become all in all in everything that we do. 

Blessings as you rest and reflect on Jesus these school holidays. 

Isaac Addison

Chaplain