Our prayer for our students is that they can stand firm in a world and culture challenging to the Christian faith. We hope each student will love like Jesus loves and be able to defend their faith in the face of internal doubts, honest questions by people in their lives, or external persecution. In this way, they can be leaders in the Body of Christ.
How We Develop and Strengthen Student Faith
Theology Classes
We disciple and teach the gospel in many ways but specifically and intentionally through our Theology curriculum. Students experience the Word of God daily in high school.
- Freshmen year students develop an understanding of the Old Testament and a Biblical worldview. The primary emphasis is to guide students into a deeper and richer knowledge and understanding of the history of the Bible so that students may experience a vibrant relationship with our Lord.
- Sophomore year students then study the New Testament and the fulfillment of the Old Testament in Jesus. The primary emphasis is to guide students into a deeper and richer knowledge and understanding of the life and work of Jesus Christ so that students may experience a vibrant relationship with Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
- During junior year, we study why we believe what we believe through apologetics. This class enables students to understand key teachings of the Christian faith, give intelligent, factual answers to common objections to the Christian faith, and understand the main teachings of major religions and cults to know how to best witness to others.
- During senior year, we aim to give students the tools needed to defend and nurture their faith, all while letting the Holy Spirit work to strengthen their current faith. Classes have open discussions around difficult questions about Christianity, ethics, marriage, family, and other timely topics. Senior theology is geared toward preparing students for the next stage of their life.
Chapel
In light of recent events, we know the importance of being able to gather together to worship. Access to Christian music, sermons, and worship services at our fingertips is great. But nothing can replace the benefits of gathering together in person for prayer, praise, and worship.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
Chapel is a special time for our student body to come together and grow in their spiritual lives. During Chapel, we get to:
- hear the Gospel message of Christ's death and resurrection
- praise our Creator with music
- understand the importance of corporate worship
- establish habits of worship and spiritual discipline to last a lifetime
Our chapel services are devotional in nature. The messages are rooted in the inerrancy of scripture viewed through the lens of our need for a savior and the blessing of the grace we experience through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the grave securing our salvation. It's a time and place to remind the students that they are saved by grace alone through faith alone, revealed to us through scripture alone.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit – Ephesians 4:3a
While Chapel is a crucial component of a student's faith life, it does not replace being a part of a home church. Chapel helps believers refocus amid a busy day. We hope that students are plugged in at a local church where they can experience the Lord's Supper, the blessings of an intergenerational community, and other ways in which believers can be strengthened through the local church. Hopefully, this can also establish habits that can carry on throughout the rest of their lives.
Thrive
Students also have the opportunity to meet monthly with their peers in a time of worship, prayer, and small group discussion. Students learn practical ways to be Jesus to the hurting community around them. The Thrive Student Leadership Team attends leadership training with our Director of Campus Ministry, Marty Kohlwey, to help them grow in skills such as:
- communication
- conflict resolution
- assertiveness
- how to be a good friend
- and how to pray for others
High school can throw a lot of new struggles at students. One goal of Thrive is to provide encouragement and fellowship amid each other's struggles. Thrive exists to encourage, empower, and equip students to love, serve, and care for the people around them in response to God's amazing love.
These are just three of the methods LuHi employs to help students grow in their faith walk. We want every one of our students to know their identity in Christ as a beloved child of God. Their meaning and purpose is lifelong as they were created and chosen by God to love Him and love and serve others. Hopelessness is conquered by the confidence in their sure salvation/eternity and hope in the cross and what Jesus did for them.
If you have questions or would like more information about how spiritual growth is nurtured and strengthened at LuHi, please reach out to our Director of Campus Ministry, Marty Kohlwey (martin.kohlwey@lhsparker.org). If you are a parent, Marty would be honored to give you resources and partner with you as your student moves through high school.
Originally posted 10/2017. Updated 2022 for accuracy.
