Our Philosophy for Discipling Middle School

These early years of adolescence are the context for various stages of physical and psychological change. Students begin to see the possibilities of themselves being something other than children. Abilities to conceptualize allow for exceptional development of issues of faith, gender, and social position. Middle schoolers are intensely self aware, strongly influenced by the value system of others, and in need of opportunities to test emerging abilities. Because of these we take a more guarded approach to the middle school years. Our philosophy includes:

1. Having boys and girls in separate groups. This allows a clear focus and attention to be given to the foundation of good masculinity and good femininity. It will be from this strong sense of self that they can learn to relate to the other gender in the later years.

2. Outfitting students for life. (Outfitting: To supply what is needed for some activity or purpose: accouter, appoint, equip, fit, fit out or (up), furnish, gear, rig, turn out) We outfit them with character, life skills, and faith. During these years students need to begin to see the integration of these three areas of life.

• Character Qualities Emphasis

Character becomes the framework from which we work, relate, serve, and worship. We want to communicate the nuances of each character quality AND the value of being a person of character. With these tools our children can make wise and godly decisions.

• Life Skills Training

Practical skills provide opportunity, productivity, success, and purpose to life. Boys and girls each have the opportunity to test their emerging abilities to negotiate adult life. Cooking, home maintenance, technology, creativity, etc. all play a role in a middle school student learning to negotiate life.

• Faith Exploration

During these years the middle school student asks the deep questions of God's existence and the significance of applying the stories of scripture. They discover what it means not only to love Jesus, but also to follow him.

3. Close parent contact. Students at this age are not ready to manage the world on their own. In the past they needed protection, in the future they will need a coach, as middle schoolers they need strong and direct guidance as they are shown the world.