DISCIPLESHIP

In order to provide transformational discipleship, we use God’s inerrant Word as our guide for teaching, mentoring, and training. Our “Teach, Mentor, Train” discipleship model puts definition to what Heritage has been doing from the beginning.

TEACH: Heritage was founded on the premise that the Bible is essential for all of life, including academics. As a result of this belief, we are very intentional about teaching our students the facts of the Bible, core doctrines, and principles of Christian living. These subjects are specifically taught in Bible classes and chapels, but we also integrate Biblical truth in all classroom environments.

MENTOR: Our faculty and staff are Christians who value the opportunity to help students grow in their faith in Christ. Teachers, coaches and other staff members are intentional about building relationships with students. Doing so facilitates natural opportunities to teach character and leadership, model a Christian lifestyle and train them to serve God and others.

TRAIN: Our classrooms, athletics, and extracurriculars provide opportunities for our students to develop leadership skills, identify their gifts, articulate the gospel, and practice serving others. These opportunities are a direct result of our commitment to mentor our students both in and out of the classroom.

Relationships are a priority at Heritage because we know that’s where God orchestrates His best discipleship moments. Here are just a few discipleship moments you may witness between our staff and students:

• Acknowledging students by name as they pass in the hall
• Displaying a genuine interest in learning students’ stories
• Helping students work through personal challenges
• Stopping to pray with a student
• Celebrating a student’s unique “design by God”
• Adults modeling the joy that comes when we live a spirit-filled life centered on Christ
• Staying after school to help a student understand a difficult concept
• Leaving a note of encouragement on a locker
• Helping students identify their gifts and calling
• Challenging students to live counter-culturally
• Correcting a student with restoration in mind
• Consoling a struggling student
• Facilitating God-honoring conflict resolution between a group of friends
• Reminding students of their complete worth and value as a child of God

All of our faculty and staff are Christians who value the opportunity to help students grow in their faith in Christ. We also have a Discipleship Department team fully focused on student discipleship.

A Holistic Approach to Discipleship in Education
Discipleship, in the Christian context, is a commitment to nurturing and guiding students in their spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth. It is not just about academic instruction but about shaping the whole person in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. This holistic approach to education places equal emphasis on cultivating character, integrity, compassion, and wisdom, alongside achieving academic success.

Building Trust and Mentorship Between Teachers and Students
In schools where discipleship is integral, the relationship between teachers and students is built on trust, mentorship, and a shared faith journey. Teachers serve as role models, demonstrating how to integrate faith into daily living and decision-making. They not only impart knowledge but also mentor students in spiritual growth, encouraging them to live out their faith both in and outside the classroom. This relational, student-centered approach fosters a supportive learning environment where students feel valued and motivated to excel.

Integrating a Biblical Worldview Across All Subjects
A school with a focus on a biblical worldview seeks to ensure that all subjects—whether science, history, literature, or the arts—are taught through the lens of Christian beliefs. This doesn’t mean a rejection of modern knowledge or scientific discovery, but rather an interpretation of all knowledge as part of God’s creation and plan. Students are encouraged to see the interconnectedness of all truth, with God as the ultimate source of wisdom. This integration of faith and learning allows students to develop critical thinking skills, apply moral reasoning, and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.

Academic Excellence as a Reflection of Faith
In this context, academic excellence is seen as an act of worship and service to God. Students are encouraged to do their best not merely for personal achievement but as a reflection of their commitment to living out their faith. 

Discipleship is woven into every aspect of life at Heritage Christian School and there are many ways to worship God through creative gifts. Art, music and performing arts are some of the ways that our students engage in discipleship and glorify Him. Connecting with God through music may manifest in any form, from participating in group worship experiences like a choir to playing a hymn on an instrument or singing favorite praise songs during chapel. From theatre to dance, performing arts provide our students with ways in which to use their creative talents for visual performances that exemplify the Word of God. We strive to honor God through everything we do, including putting on incredible productions, concerts, art shows and more.

Discipleship is a key aspect of what makes Heritage unique, and the athletics department makes a concerted effort to encourage and disciple each coach, team, athlete, and family involved in our athletics. We do this through a three-pronged approach, which supports the three main relationships that take place in athletics: department-to-coach, coach-to-student and team-to-team.

Whether it's the athletic office empowering and equipping our coaches to be transformational in their interactions with our student-athletes or our coaches spending time with their team discipling, mentoring and sharing who God is and what His word says, glorifying God permeates how we lead.

Our student-athletes also have an opportunity to disciple others through the way they carry themselves in competition or even through praying with our opponents after a contest. This is a great opportunity to showcase what a Christian athlete looks like to those around us. We encourage all of our teams to pray with their opponents on game day. Some teams also provide "Blessing Bags" to their opponents, which are simply bags of snacks along with a scripture for each player. Other teams have embraced a service project, where they give back to a part of the community around us. 

We want our athletes to Glorify God, Play Hard, and Have Fun no matter what age they are. As our coaches pour into the athletes to represent Heritage in this way, it becomes a testimony to others whom our student-athletes interact with in competition and in their neighborhoods.

Dr. J.K. Stevens, Heritage Director of Biblical Worldview Integration, explains why it's important that we stay true to our school's heritage and unchanging biblical alignment in a culture of shifting values and competing priorities:

Heritage Christian School was founded on strong biblical principles with a vision for partnering with Christian families in the education and discipleship of the next generation. The Scriptures tell us that the application of those principles lead to Christ followers who are mature and strong in the face of a shifting culture (Ephesians 4:11-14).

In staying true to the biblical alignment built into the history of Heritage, we have a measure in our approach to life that does not waver with the change of opinions. This alignment assures us that there is a truth system which guides us in making right choices, thinking with clear minds, and holding high good values. It confirms that our redemption and restoration in Christ sets in motion the family of God as it does good work and makes a meaningful difference in this world.

Our school is equipped with several full-time discipleship staff members who are available to meet with students, walk through difficult times with them, and challenge them in their walks with Christ.