SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK
Looking into the mirror can be intimidating , whether you ’ re 13 or 30 .
If we aren ’ t careful , criticism awaits on the other side-- criticism that comes from ourselves , what we have heard from others , or what the media imposes upon us . And not a lot of grace . So how are our scholars supposed to believe there is anything positive about the person staring back at them in the mirror ? Even adults can become discouraged in this effort when the going gets tough . Imagine a third grader just discovering who they are in this world , but confused by competing messages he sees in the world around him and at home .
How are our scholars supposed to wade past the negative and believe they are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made ? The complex nature of these questions is why we hold Spiritual Emphasis Week .
It allows our scholars time to begin to believe the simple , lifechanging truths that sometimes gets lost in everyday routine .
This year ’ s Spiritual Emphasis Week was all about awakening our scholars to their true identity in Christ . Many experienced an encounter with God for the first time in their life . Others felt love and connection that drowned out the lies they have believed , hence transforming their life .
When we , as a school , place such value and importance on our scholars ’ intimate life , they come to realize , if not appreciate , that something must be special about this part of themselves . Then
they begin to trust . It may be just a crack in the hard earth , but it ’ s
an opening in which a seed can be sewn .
# SEW17 planted so many seeds this year . Scholars ’ lives were touched and they were healed from the inside out . For us , it ’ s not about doctrine or changing who our scholars are ; it ’ s about
providing them with an authentic experience that they will not get anywhere else . The community , the family , the friendships ; the speakers , the leaders , and the activities all go into making this
week meaningful . Thank you to everyone who played a part .
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