Liturgy is a common practice in classical Christian education and at Veritas Christian Academy.
Liturgy is a Greek word that literally translates to "work of the people". It can be thought of as a set of customary sayings, phrases, and actions. In a classroom, a liturgically influenced environment can help children feel peaceful and joyful as they engage with what they are learning.
Other teaching practices in classical Christian education include catechism, narration, mimetic teaching, and Socratic dialogue.
Enjoy this example of a beautiful prayer, Dr. Woods shared with the sweet hearts and voices of sixth grade literature students:
May we come to love learning, oh Lord, for the world is yours, and all things in it point to you-- each in their way--of your mind, your designs, your artistry, your power, your unfolding purpose.
Students: All knowledge is your knowledge. All wisdom is your wisdom.
Therefore, as we apply ourselves to learning, may we be mindful that all created things are your creative expression, that all stories are held within your greater story, and that all disciplines of order and design are chasing after your thoughts.
Students: As we apply ourselves even to those subjects that we find tedious at times, please reward our efforts with insights.
Give us a deepening knowledge of truth and a finer discernment of the ideas we encounter in our studies. Guard our minds always against error, and guard also our hearts against the temptation to compare our work to the work of our classmates, and so to fall into either of the twin traps of shame or pride.
Students: Grant instead that we might happily care for what scholarly gifts you have appointed to us for service to others.
Let us be in Veritas a bearer of love and light and reconciliation.
Students: Lord, please bless the labors of our studies. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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