STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

1)     We believe the Bible to be verbally inspired in its original form, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.)

2)     We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19)

3)     We believe in the Deity of Christ (John 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-17), in His conception by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), in His virgin birth (Matt. 1:18-25), in His sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21), in His miraculous works (John 11:47), in His substitutionary death (1 Peter 2:24), in His literal, bodily resurrection (John 20:20-29) in His bodily ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19) and in His imminent, bodily return (Acts 1:11; Rev. 20:1-9).     

4)     We believe in the totally depraved and lost condition of man by nature (Jer. 17:9; Romans 3:23), and in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ wholly apart from works (Eph. 3:8-10; John 1:12-13; Titus 3:5-7), the evidence of which is works of righteousness.

5)     We believe that all who receive, by faith, the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God (John 3:5; Romans 3:21-30).

6)     We believe in the personhood of the Holy Spirit and in His present ministry of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, enlightening, and guiding (John 3:5, 14:26; 1 Cor. 6:19).

7)     We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto eternal life, and they that are lost unto eternal damnation (John 5:28-29). 

8)     We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ.  (John 17:11; Eph. 4:13).

 

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT 

 

Heritage Christian School is an educational institution, not a church.  Our priority is instruction, though we recognize that the Holy Spirit is an active participant in our understanding of all aspects of God and His Creation.  We believe that school subjects such as science, mathematics, music, physical education, social studies, literature, grammar, and especially theology are incomplete outside of a Christian worldview.  Hence, while we are not a church, we endeavor to root our knowledge of the world in our knowledge of the Creator.

 

In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul stated that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Therefore, we at Heritage Christian School strive to excel in academics as we worship the Lord in the splendor of His Holiness.  Biblical integration does not mean the Bible is substituted for traditional academic subjects, nor does it mean that Bible verses are simply tacked on at the end of lessons.  Rather, integration involves the ways in which faith and intellect, or religious conviction and academic work, are combined in teaching.  As stated in our mission statement, our responsibility to students encompasses spiritual, intellectual, and relational areas.  None of these components can exist without the others, and we believe the spiritual takes precedence over the other two, even while our responsibility is primarily scholastic.

 

While the education of children is the responsibility of parents, the school functions as an instrument for parents as teachers cooperate closely with them in every phase of the student’s development.  Both parties need to cooperate with one another through prayer, open dialog, and a general spirit of collaboration in order for students to bear spiritual, academic, and relational fruit becoming of their time at Heritage Christian School.

  

The areas of concentration for our objectives are in accordance with  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  (Luke 2:52) and “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jer. 29:11)

 

SPIRITUALLY,  it is our desire that each student…

·         Accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  (John 3:16, Matthew 7:21)

·         Learn that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, which conveys His life and defines His will.  (II Timothy 3:16)

·         Be transformed into the character of Christ through life-long disciplines of prayer, meditation upon scripture, fellowship with other believers and works of service.  (Romans 12:2,10, Psalms 1:1-2, Matthew 6:5, Colossians 4:2)

·         Become equipped for ministry in terms of the spiritual gifts, talents and works of service with which God had endowed them. (Proverbs 29:18, I Corinthians 14:40)

·         Develop a Christian worldview that keeps Christ central to all learning and living through integration of the scriptures with all other knowledge. (Romans 12:1-2)

·         Develop decision-making skills.  (James 1:5)

·         Learn how to overcome temptation and sin and develop the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

·         Develop self-discipline and self-responsibility based upon respect for the submission to God and all other properly constituted authority.  (Romans 13:1-7)

 

 

SCHOLASTICALLY, it is our desire that each student will…

·         Gain basic skills in the areas of English, Math, Social Studies,  Spelling, Science and Arts. (Proverbs 11:1, I Corinthians 9:25-27)

·         Demonstrate communication skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  (Philippians 4:4-9, I Timothy. 4:12)

·         Develop good study habits.  (Ecclesiastes 3:17, Proverbs 10:4)

·         Learn and perform independent research skills.  (2 Timothy 2:15)

·         Develop creative, logical, and critical thinking skills using Biblical criteria.  (II Thessalonians 1:11)

·         Keep up with current events and relate them to God’s plan.  (Romans 3:26)

·         Understand and appreciate our Christian and American heritages.  (Psalms 96:10-13)

·         Develop an appreciation of the fine arts.  (Psalms 95:2)

·         Obtain the basic facts, concepts, and skills essential for future educational and occupational competencies.  (Proverbs 23:12)

·         Develop lifelong habits that promote physical, mental, and emotional well being.  (Luke 2:52)

·         Learn good stewardship of time, resources, and talents.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

·         Have a learning environment of mutual acceptance, encouragement, cooperation, and creativity that fosters these same values.  (Proverbs 14:22b)

·         Learn by permitting the teachers to incorporate materials other than the registered curriculum with the approval of administration.  (Romans 11:36)

 

RELATIONALLY, it is our desire that each student will…

·         Love oneself; treat the body as the temple of God (James 2:8)

·         Accept Biblical attitudes toward material things and use them for the glory of God and service to others.  (Matthew 6:19-20, 24, I   Timothy 6:1-10)

·         Understand man’s role in God’s world and faithfully fulfill this stewardship. (Psalms 24:1, Acts 20:35)

·         Treat others with love and respect.  (Romans 12:9-10)

·         Become a responsible citizen and a contributing member of society.  (Romans 13:1-2)

·         Develop skills in interpersonal relationships.  (Romans 12:15-16)

·         Honor and obey his/her parents.  (Colossians 3:20)

·         Communicate truth.  (II Timothy 3:16-17; 2:15)

·         Educate the conscience according to the principles of God’s Word.  (II Timothy 3:14-16)

·         Think, speak, and act in a Christ-like manner.  (Galatians 5:22-23, II Timothy 2:22, Ephesians 5:1-2)

·         Learn to be patient, forbearing, and forgiving of others.  (Galatians 5:22, Colossians 3:12-13)

·         Develop scriptural attitudes toward marriage and the family.   (Ephesians 5:1-16)

·         Gain the understanding and skills needed to establish God-honoring home. 

(Proverbs 22:6)

 

SPIRITUALLY

 

There is much discussion about educating the “whole child.”  We are privileged to have the freedom and ability to educate not only the mind, but also the heart and soul as well.  Spiritual development, one’s attitude toward and relationship with Jesus, is of paramount importance.  Several activities and opportunities are available as we seek together to develop a vital and balanced lifelong commitment to God and His will for our lives.

·         Required Bible classes

·         Weekly chapels

·         Prayer groups and special designated voluntary prayer times

·         Community service and ministry opportunities

·         Music ministry

·         Student leadership and ministry

·         Daily devotionals

 

One of the keys to growth in Faith is the study of God's Word along with all classes taught at every level.  All topics of study are viewed through the lens of the Bible in order to correlate them to or correct them by Biblical standards, thus fostering a Christian world view.  Students memorize scripture in an effort to impart Bible knowledge and to encourage them to apply spiritual principles to their lives.

 

 

CHARACTER QUALITIES

 

Faith

 

The basis of a Christian education is saving Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, HCS provides many opportunities for students to trust Christ as Savior and helps that Faith to grow.  The Bible states, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  (Romans 10:17) 

Godliness

 

The Scriptures teach that man was created in the image of God.  When Adam sinned that image was tarnished, but as redeemed sinners we are to shine as lights to a lost world.  The only thing many people know of God is what they see and hear from us.  1 Samuel 16:7 says, “that man looks on the outward appearance, but that God looks on the heart.”    Godliness begins with a right heart attitude toward God as one abides in Christ and yields to the inner work of the Holy Spirit producing His peaceable fruits of righteousness.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  

Knowledge

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)  We strive to teach every subject from a Godly perspective so that the student will see the truth of God revealed in that subject.  Knowledge needs to be related to God and His Word to produce a profitable servant “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  (2 Tim.  3:17)

 

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  (Jer. 29:11)

 

 

Patience (Endurance)

 

One of the most important character traits that children and young people must learn as they mature is responsibility.  Responsibility is taking a task and seeing it through to completion, and that involves endurance.  The Bible equates endurance to the running of a race: “Let us run, with patience the race that is set before us.”  Part of the student’s development is to learn endurance in all areas, especially the spiritual area.

 

Service

 

 

Temperance (Self Control) 

Virtue (Excellence)

Virtue carries more than the usual meaning of purity although moral uprightness is certainly a part of it.  In a broad sense it is used to encompass something that is excellent or worthy of praise.  It is our desire to help students develop their God-given abilities and spiritual lives to the full measure that God has for them.  With this in mind, HCS attempts to offer a wide variety of opportunities to explore individual potential through both curricular and extracurricular activities.