Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men [teachers] of courage; be

strong. Do everything in love. (I Corinthians 16:13)

Courage to Stand
It is thirty minutes before the school day begins. You sit alone in your classroom
reflecting on the completion of this school year. You are also contemplating ways to
improve your instruction next fall. You look at your classroom door and you see your
mentor, your Master Teacher, Jesus, enter. You immediately stand up as he enters, as a
sign of honor and respect for him, the greatest teacher the world has ever known. He is
holding a Bible in his hand.
Jesus walks toward you in silence and embraces you. He whispers softly, gently, and lovingly in your ear,
Stand. Keep standing. Encourage others to stand.
As you continue to stand, He steps back and opens the Bible in his hands. He flips through the pages and
begins reading from Exodus, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you
today. (Exodus 14:13)
He then turns to the Psalms and tells you to trust in the Lord, rise up, and stand firm. (Psalm 20:7,8) He reads
how God raised King David from a muddy pit and gave him a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2) He turns to Proverbs
and quotes Solomon who says the righteous will stand firm through lifes storms. (Proverbs 10:25) Jesus then turns to
the New Testament and begins to quote the Apostle Paul from his letter to the Corinthians, Therefore, my dear
brothers [teachers], stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you
know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:58) Finally, Jesus turns to Isaiah 7:9 and reads, If
you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
He then looks deep into your eyes and asks you, Did you stand firm in your faith this school year? Did you
encourage others to stand in their faith? Have you completed all the assignments I have given you this school year to
the very best of your ability? Did you fully give yourself to my work this school year? Will you give yourself fully to my
work next year?
How do you answer? What is his response?
Jesus Christ is beginning the recruiting process for next school year already. As we reflect upon and evaluate
our professional performance this school year and begin exploring ways to improve next year, we should also reflect
on our walk with the Lord and how it can be improved next year as well. In our schools and districts we have
individuals and organizations standing to promote all kinds of people and programs. Some are student, parent, teacher,
and administrative advocates. Some are representatives for special programs and populations such as ESL, the gifted,
and the disabled. Others are standing to promote one particular teaching style or strategy. Who is going to stand for
Jesus in public schools next year? Is it you?
Jesus is looking for one or more educators at each school whom he is calling to stand for him in greater ways,
to be his faculty representatives of faith next year. The CEAI leadership has long held the vision of finding,
encouraging and equipping a faculty representative for Christ on every school in this nation and beyond. God has been
building this remnant group for some time, many are already in place, but the participants are scattered and
disconnected.
It is a primary goal of CEAI to begin to host workshops specifically for this faculty representative recruiting,
equipping, and unifying process. It is impossible to win a battle when there is no unity and the troops have no idea
who is even a soldier in their own camp. It is impossible to win a battle if the troops are not trained or encouraging
one another. Please help CEAI form this force of believers our schools so desperately need.
Stand. Keep standing. Encourage others to stand. Join with other Christians in your profession. Get
connected to the Christian Educators Association International. Watch what God will do..

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage and strength to keep standing for you in your public schools.
Application: Pray about being a faculty representative for Jesus Christ with encouragement from CEAI
next year.
Sharing: Share your answers to Jesus questions asked in paragraph six above. Explain.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: TEACHER! TAKE COURAGE! (For inquiries contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 32