The Spartan Blog
Developing Grit: Pursuing Calvary’s Portrait of a Graduate
October 02, 2024
Growth is a universal desire. We all want to see it in our lives and in our children’s lives. Yet, as we all know, growth never comes without struggle. It’s in the moments of challenge, frustration, and difficulty that growth occurs. Just as a seed pushes its way through the soil to reach sunlight, so too must we endure hardship to experience genuine growth.
The Science of Struggle: The Myelin Sheath
In the world of neuroscience, there’s a process that beautifully illustrates the necessity of struggle in growth. God designed our brains with billions of neurons that communicate with each other. These signals travel along pathways insulated by a substance we call the myelin sheath. The more we practice a skill, the thicker the myelin sheath becomes around the neural pathways, making the skill easier to perform. However, this process doesn’t happen overnight. It requires constant practice, repeated effort, and yes, struggle! Just as an athlete must endure hours of focused training to improve, our students must embrace grit to push through academic challenges to build the "myelin" that will enable them to master new skills. The apostle Paul gives us our motivation for our hard work in Colossians 3:23-24. He says to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Our desire for growth and skill development is ultimately a reflection of wanting to build the traits and talents that God has blessed us with; and we in turn want to use those abilities to glorify Him.
The Butterfly’s Struggle
Another example of grit producing transformational change in God’s creation is the butterfly. The caterpillar must fight its way out of the cocoon, struggling with all its might. We might be tempted to help, to break the cocoon and free the butterfly, but doing so would rob the butterfly of the strength it needs to fly. The struggle is necessary for its wings to develop the power required for flight. This beautifully represents the growth we want to see in our children. As much as we wish to remove their struggles, we must recognize that these very challenges are what prepare them for the future. The struggle is not a sign of failure but a critical part of their development.
Grit: Calvary’s Portrait of a Graduate
At Calvary Christian, one of the core characteristics in our "Portrait of a Graduate" is grit. Grit is the resolve to push through difficulties, to keep going when the going gets tough. This trait is not just about academic resilience; it’s about developing the character to persevere in faith, even when life’s challenges seem overwhelming. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Encouraging Families Through the Struggles
It’s important to remember that growth is a process, often marked by moments of difficulty. Here are three ways you can support your students as they encounter seasons of struggle:
Be Patient and Encouraging: Growth takes time! When your child is facing academic or personal challenges, remind them that it’s okay to struggle. Encourage them by celebrating small victories along the way. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Model Perseverance: Our children learn more from our actions! When you encounter your own challenges, model perseverance and faith. Show them how you rely on God during tough times. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Pray Together: There is power in prayer! When struggles arise, take time to pray with your children. Ask God for strength, wisdom, and perseverance. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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Foundations
Cultivating Growth: A Greenhouse Instead of a Shelter
September 13, 2024
As partners in discipleship, our goal to transform student lives through Jesus Christ in a world that’s running the other direction is full of challenges! It can be tempting to want to shield them completely from external influences. Calvary is not designed to simply be a shelter that blocks out the world, but a greenhouse that nurtures growth over time while allowing students to form deep roots in God’s Word as they grow in their understanding of a Biblical worldview.
The Shelter
If we think about a shelter, while protective, by definition is isolated from the outside world. It creates a barrier between them and any potentially harmful influences, but this can also prevent them from developing the resilience, discernment, and wisdom needed to navigate life beyond our doors. As they eventually step out into adulthood, the sudden exposure to the world can be challenging, like a fragile plant abruptly placed in harsh conditions.
The Bible reminds us that while we are "not of the world," we are sent "into the world" (John 17:14-18). Jesus prayed not for His disciples to be removed from the world, but for their protection and sanctification as they remained in it. It’s not possible nor desirable to be completely sheltered to the world, but a safe place to grow deep roots is essential while critical worldviews are being formed.
The Greenhouse
A greenhouse, on the other hand, creates an environment where plants can flourish. It provides sunlight, water, and warmth; elements essential for growth, while still protecting young plants from harsh winds and cold. The greenhouse doesn’t shut out the world; it provides the proper environment for what’s growing inside to truly flourish in time.
In the same way, Calvary strives to provide an environment where students can be exposed to challenges while still under the nurturing care of godly teachers and supportive parents. Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The greenhouse approach aligns with this principle, allowing roots to grow like an anchor while students are being grounded in biblical truth. Rather than merely shielding our students, we aim to equip them with the tools they need to engage with secular culture in a biblical manner. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks of putting on the full armor of God so we can stand firm. Just as a plant in a greenhouse grows stronger through carefully measured exposure to the elements, our students grow stronger in faith, character, and wisdom as their roots deepen in God’s Word. We want to foster young believers who are firmly rooted in the Word of God and ready to stand strong, living as "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16). Our role is to nurture this growth through Christian education in a way that protects and prepares, discipling our students to become witnesses for Christ in whatever environment they are placed in.
In our greenhouse, students can safely practice using the biblical tools they’ve been given. They will learn how to discern truth from falsehood, respond to challenges with grace, and stand firm in their faith while being compassionate and wise in their interactions with the world.