Philosophy of Teaching

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

(John 13:13-15, New International Version)

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

(1 Peter 5:1-4, New International Version)

Freedom School educators are shepherds, following the example of Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

Freedom School educators do not just teach about Christ. Instead, they incarnate Christ. Teachers consider the individual needs of the learner to create authentic learning opportunities to shepherd their students to shepherd themselves and others. They do this through a four-step discipleship process: love, know, speak, and do, to foster a heart transformation where students increasingly learn to solve problems by trusting the promises of God and applying them to their lives. “Love” refers to building caring relationships by identifying with a person’s suffering and incarnating God’s love. “Know” means identifying the sin/heart struggle and its relation to what motivates someone. “Speak” involves speaking biblical principles into a situation. “Do” refers to helping a person affect a change by applying the promises of God to every situation.