Integrating Faith and Learning

The integration of faith in learning goes beyond meeting institutional requirements in Christian schools.

Christian Growth January 27, 2025

The integration of faith in learning goes beyond meeting institutional requirements in Christian schools. It involves showing how our world is interconnected and highlighting God’s intentionality in every aspect of life. As a student, I faced academic content that made me question how it aligned with my faith. Now, as an educator, I see the importance of guiding students through life’s challenges, academic content, hardships, and joys with a faith-centered perspective.

According to educator David I. Smith, “Integrating faith with learning involves seeing every aspect of creation as related to the Creator. When students perceive their studies as part of a larger, divine narrative, learning takes on deeper significance.”

Navigating between over-spiritualizing concepts and genuinely interacting with faith requires intentional teaching, exploration, and connection. As a middle school teacher, I recognize my students’ ability to discern sincerity—they know when you authentically believe in what you teach. 

Integrating faith into education should stem from genuine conviction rather than mere obligation amidst the demands of our profession. It should be the foundational lens through which we approach our curriculum, revealing profound connections between content and faith across all subjects, necessitating a holistic perspective.

Practical Tips for Integrating Faith and Learning: 

Give Space Prior to Planning: Begin your lesson planning with a pause. Ask God for guidance on how to incorporate faith into your teachings. Give yourself space to think about your content area and be curious about where God could lead.

Use Scripture: Incorporate relevant Bible verses that resonate with your lesson’s themes or subjects.

Faith-Based Discussions: Foster open dialogues in which students can share how their faith shapes their understanding of the subject material, including challenging topics.

Real-World Applications: Demonstrate how faith can be applied practically in contexts related to the subject matter.

Be Authentic: You don’t need to be a theological expert; embrace your own faith journey authentically, and humbly engage with students.

When my son passed away, I found solace in a community that reminded me of Jesus’ empathy; He wept, deeply understanding grief and hardship. In guiding students through challenges, whether academic or personal, it’s vital not to gloss over difficulties with superficial spiritual ideals. Instead, we must compassionately guide students to recognize where and how Jesus meets us in our individual journeys.

We must empower our students to understand how their faith intersects with every facet of their education—both the messy and the joy-filled. This approach cultivates a profound and authentic learning experience that resonates with their daily lives and personal beliefs. It enables them to perceive the world as a place where their faith is not only relevant but vibrant and transformative.

 Reflection Questions: 

  1. How can you integrate faith into your lesson plans in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you and your students? 
  2. What specific challenges do you encounter in balancing faith and learning, and how can you address them?

Author

Sara de Zwaan

Sara, MEd from UBCO, is currently teaching grades 6/7 at West Coast Adventist School as well as grades 7-9 at Kelowna Christian School. She has taught middle school since 2012 and loves getting to know each of her students.

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