Teaching Edification…
Edification is the building up of individuals and community. It builds individuals by affirming who they are created to be, their uniqueness, their individual gifts and callings. It builds community because when individuals lean into who they are called to be, it helps fill community needs. A cyclical effect that then proceeds to edify more individuals. I like to imagine the edification that Jesus spoke over his disciples, “Matthew, you are more than a tax collector, you are not here to put this burden on your people but to help set them free”. Sometimes we don’t even have to imagine what those conversations looked like, we see it in scripture when Jesus tells Simon Peter and Andrew that they are more than fishermen, they are called to be fishers of men in the Kingdom (Matt. 4:19).
At Mighty Oak, we seek to edify our students. Exposing them to new experiences to help them discover what gifts they have and help them on their path to discover their calling. To discover the calling that is in their DNA, the things that they were created to do. We also teach them how to edify one another.
We teach this edification through our social emotional curriculum and practical exercises. In our social emotional philosophy we teach the students how to talk to each other in honesty. Trying to teach them to see past emotional outbursts and seek the root of the outbursts. To see past surface level things and see the true good that is in a person. To see past the fisherman and see the true Kingdom Identity. If they do this then they can help their neighbors and classmates to work towards that identity better.
I mentioned in a past Love Letter how Shawn had the 8th grade class write and read words of edification to their classmates. An exercise to help them see the good in one another and speak into that. This week we utilized one of our art classes to give our teachers and staff some edification.
The students went to the parking lot and spent their art class writing encouraging notes in front of all the teachers' cars. They spoke into the good of their teachers who normally are the ones edifying them. Everyone needs edification, every community needs edification, and we want our students to see opportunities to edify in meaningful ways in meaningful moments. Hopefully one day, it will be a community where it is more strange to not edify and speak truth into one another’s life than to not do that.
Ethan
GEAR UP for WINTER with LOVE CITY!!!
As the temperatures drop, it becomes the perfect to get your cozy Portland or Love City Shirt. We also have beanies to keep that noggin’ warm. Shop Now!
Some of our Various Designs
The Boys Kick Next Game Next Monday!!!
With a couple of extra weeks of practice under their belts the Lions get ready for their next Game this Monday 11/06.
The boys put in a good game versus Landmark Academy
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.