Day 22 - Intentional Goodness for the Classroom

Each morning before I suggest an intentional goodness for the classroom, I pray and then go to the Word.  Today when the Good Samaritan came to mind, I was so pleased because I think this is one of the most incredible stories that Jesus told as an example of how we need to be as His ambassadors. Being intentional is going out of your way to do something good for others, especially those who are not family or even friends.

A verse to ponder

Luke 10:25-37 - On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

An intentional blessing for the classroom

Is there a child that eats alone or perhaps a colleague that never comes to lunch? Although lunch at school is a very rushed time, today we need to be on the lookout for someone who we can treat to lunch. There is always a child who forgets his/her lunch or lunch money, let’s go out of our way to buy someone’s lunch for them. Establish a little lunch money bank in your classroom that you have a few extra dollars tucked away so that you can treat a child to lunch as an intentional act of goodness any time.

A focus of reflection

Can you act out parables that Jesus taught? Is it legal? Of course! One of the many gifts of Jesus was speaking in parables. Storytelling is an art in teaching.  As you teach your content, consider wrapping your lesson into a story or song.  Students remember more when it’s a tale or put to music. May God give you the opportunity to be a Good Samaritan today.

Day 23

(A 6th grade classroom bulletin board with the fruit of the Spirit)

As always, I am
Prayerfully dependent,

K

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI, State Director, Florida
kseddon@ceai.org

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by  clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.