According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, metaphysics is “a division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality.” (Webster, 2008) In other words, metaphysics deals with the idea of what is real. Each day people interact with objects such as chairs, cars, or trees and consider them to be quite authentic. However, not everyone believes in a real God that has either created or inspired the creation of those same objects. I believe that there is, indeed, one true God who created all things.
One might ask, “But how do you know God and His Word are real?” I’ve come to know God’s realness through my physical, emotional, and spiritual senses. I know He is real because I can see the beautiful objects he has created on this earth. I know God is real because when I pray I can emotionally feel His caring touch. And I know He is real because I’ve had numerous spiritual experiences with Him such as a specific answered prayer. I know God’s word is true for similar reasons. The Bible has solid historical validity. When I read the Bible I feel an emotional connection to God that often moves me to tears. In addition, I know God’s word is real because spiritually I may be dealing with a difficult issue, such as fear, and His word gives me direction and comfort.
In regard to moral direction, I again look to God’s word for insight. In the Bible, of course, there are the Ten Commandments which I try to follow, but even more importantly I look to the life of Jesus Christ as a model for how I should behave. Jesus was a man of his word. He was kind, compassionate, forgiving, never selfish, and always loving. Before I came to know Christ, I was being led through life according to my inherently sinful and quite selfish nature. One of the most powerful verses in the Bible supporting humans have evil tendencies is found in Genesis 6:5. This scripture states, “Then, the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of his heart was only evil continually” (Nelson, Thomas, 2000). What a powerful statement! The words “every” and “continually” in this scripture indicate that man wasn’t capable of anything good. The only way out of a person’s natural inclination toward evil is a renewed life that can only be found in Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, one can find hope for the future. The scripture states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come”(Nelson, Thomas, 2000).
Even though in a public school system an educator can’t bring specific scriptural references into the classroom, that same person can teach the basics, such are reading, writing, math, science, and history, as well as take some of the fundamental truths from the Bible and integrate them into his or her curriculum. For example, students need to understand the difference between right and wrong, as well as understand how their actions, whether positive or negative, impact the lives of others. Those same students also need to recognize that there will be times when they do make mistakes, so pupils need to be taught how to overcome adversity and rectify a situation if it involved harming another person.
In addition, educators need to help students overcome their natural inclination toward selfish and unrealistic material gain. One of the best ways a teacher can help students overcome this natural human tendency is to aid students in developing a passion for helping others. This can be accomplished by encouraging students to be involved in community service programs in the classroom and, if possible, in the community. Students also need to understand how to determine the difference between a need and a want. Learners, even at a very young age, must understand how poor money management can negatively impact their lives. This concept is critical for students to comprehend, especially with the world’s ever-changing economic condition.
In addition to helping students become responsible citizens, educators are now faced with the daunting new task of preparing students for professions that don’t yet exist. One of the major goals of education should be to help students live and work responsibly in an ever increasing and complex, technology-driven society. Perhaps, one of the best ways educators can prepare their students, for the challenges that are ahead, is to educate themselves in the area of technology. Children today are going to have to be life-long learners in order to succeed in the technology-driven future that is ahead and educators must step-up to the challenge of instilling a love for learning in the children they teach.
In order for children to compete in future job markets, they will need to be experts in both spoken and technological communication. To help students develop their communication skills they will need ample opportunities for practice. For this reason, classrooms should be arranged in a way that is conducive to this type of learning. Ideally, desks should be arranged either in small groups or in one large horseshoe to promote interaction. Daily lessons and assessments should incorporate situations where students are required to work together in groups and share their results with the class.
According to Michelle Pandian, “the necessity of learning about and becoming skilled at technological innovations for communication and collaboration has been known for more than ten years. Elizabeth Dole, as US Secretary of Labor presented the “SCANS” report, (The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, 1991) listed future goals for public education. Sherman added, those goals ‘include the ability to use sophisticated technology to communicate and collaborate’(Pandian, 2007).” For this reason, students should be communicating on a daily basis using available classroom technology. For example, the classroom teacher might create a blog or a wiki so students can discuss a certain topic and receive feedback from peers.In one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s papers, she quoted the Arch Bishop of York’s perspective regarding the purpose of education. He said, “The true purpose of education is to produce citizens” (Roosevelt, 1930). Educator’s today must prepare students to be responsible citizens who know the difference between right and wrong, have compassion for others, and are prepared for the technological advances and economic challenges that are ahead.
Pictures from Women of Joy
15 years ago
