Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved

Dear Parents, our profile for a Tyndale Park Christian School student can be found in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. I have started unpacking the first part of the verse with the students, i.e. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God”, and I want to share these thoughts with you so that can we can work together to help the next generation become all God has planned for them.

The word “study” is translated from the Greek word “spoudazō” which means to make haste and to give diligence. We want our students to diligently and eagerly strive to make every effort to live in a way that glorifies God. This “way” is clearly described in the Bible and is one of the reasons we start every school day with 35 minutes of Bible instruction.

How does one “shew thyself approved unto God”? It starts with accepting God’s free offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, i.e. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

The apostle Paul, who wrote the letters to Timothy, also gives him specific advice on how to live a life that will glorify God. I will give brief explanations in italics. He says, “Let no man despise thy youth (I can never say I am too young to believe in or live for God); but be thou an example of the believers, in word (what you say), in conversation (how you say it), in charity (choosing to love others because they are made in God’s image), in spirit (submitting myself to God’s will), in faith (not a blind faith, but a faith based on evidence that clearly shows that there is a God), in purity (living according to Jesus’ teachings)” - 1 Timothy 4:12.

So, we have rewritten 2 Timothy 2:15 for our students as follows: “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a worker who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling, intentionally living out and skillfully teaching the Word of truth.” It is our hope and prayer that every student who attends Tyndale Park Christian School will eventually live out our vision for them and make a lasting difference in God’s Kingdom, their families, their neighborhoods, their cities, New Zealand and wherever else God may use them in the world.

Blessings,

Barend Blom

Principal

Photo credits: Foter.com