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Whether you struggle with classroom management or you're a classroom management pro, you've probably had that student who challenges you. We all have. You've tried every strategy you know of, but nothing seems to be working. Have you ever considered there may be more than meets the eye going on with "that student"? Could this be why nothing you try is working? Could there be key components of classroom management you're missing?
A New Perspective to Classroom Challenges
If you could see beyond what your human eyes can see, you might be shocked to discover other nuances occurring in your classroom that you've not yet considered.
Take a look at this familiar scripture from the book of Ephesians:
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12, English Standard Version
"Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principals and authorities operating under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage." Ephesians 6:12, The Passion Translation
Is this eye opening to you? Imagine having x-ray vision into the spiritual dimension of your classroom. You would see the spiritual forces of evil set against you and your students as well as spiritual forces of light (angels) sent to help them and you. Whew! There's a lot more going on in your classroom than you realized! Can you see why there may be some key components of classroom management that you might need to add to your toolbox?
While little Johnny or Suzie may seem like the source of your problems, they're not the ones you're really wrestling with. It's quite possible there's something else influencing their actions. I'm sure you've seen the cartoon images with a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. If you could see into the spirit realm you might realize this image is not too far off base.
Spiritual Strategies as Key Components of Classroom Management
Before I go any further, let me be clear. I'm not advocating excusing negative student behavior based on the excuse of "the devil made him do it." What I am suggesting, however, is that many of the problems you encounter have both a spiritual and a natural side to them. This means you need key components of classroom management that include both spiritual and natural approaches.
There are many great resources offering natural classroom management strategies. I want to offer you some key components of management from a spiritual perspective. These strategies are taken straight from scripture.
The same scripture in Ephesians that tells us who our struggle is really against also gives us some tools and strategies for standing against this enemy. There is a lot I could say about each tool and strategy listed in Ephesians 6, but for now I want to focus on two things:
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18)
Say What God Says about a Student or Situation
I used to think the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" mean scripture. I would pray scripture over situations, and I saw many answers to prayer. Later I discovered that this passage is not just referring to scripture. It's referring to the rhema or spoken word of God.
I love to read in the Passion Translation. The translator takes Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic manuscripts to convey God's original message in modern English.
Take a look at Ephesians 6:17 in The Passion Translation:
"And take the mighty Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God." Ephesians 6:17, The Passion Translation
When you say what God is saying, it's powerful! Isaiah 55:11 says, "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Saying what God says is an effective tool to add to your key components of classroom management techniques!
Here is what I would recommend when you encounter a struggle in the classroom: Classroom Atmosphere
First, ask God to show you what is going on spiritually that your natural eyes can not see. (Jer. 33: 3)
Next, seek out what He is saying about the situation. Sometimes this may come to you through a scriptural truth you know about the situation. Other times this may come through something Holy Spirit says to your spirit about a situation.
Then, say the thing that you hear God saying about the situation.
Declarative Prayer over Classroom Situations
When you say what God is saying over a situation, you're essentially declaring it over. If you're not familiar with this kind of prayer you may be thinking, "What does this mean? Is it scriptural?" Allow me to share an excerpt from an article on declarative prayer by Debbie Przybylski of Intercessors Arise International:
"Declarative prayer is a dynamic way to pray strategically. We must be willing to wait to hear the Lord's voice if we want to pray declarative prayers. We must know the Lord's timing and voice. a name it, claim it prayer. It must be God. He always has a plan. As His ambassadors and representatives on earth, we are to stand in the gap in prayer for others (Ezekiel 22:20) … "
"Declarative prayer claims supernatural intervention from God on God's terms, not ours. Our faith for declarative prayer comes from God and not our own efforts – God works through our faith – He is the object and source of it. our own effort and abilities or anything else. It is all about God. He calls forth what does not exist in the natural realm (Romans 4:17). Matthew 16:19 says, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosened in heaven. "" God does the binding in heaven, and then we carry it out on earth. We receive the "rhema" word from the Bible As we listened to God, our faith grows. "
Practical Examples
Let me give you a few examples of what this look look like used as key components of classroom management.
Dealing with Fear
Austin refuses to participate in class discussions or presentations. He constantly disposes while others are sharing or presenting. You find yourself in power struggles with him because of this, often to the point of sending him out of the room before it becomes his turn.
You ask God to show you what is causing Austin's behavior, and He shows you that Austin is struggling with fear. Because of this Austin is causing disruptions so that he will not have to face the thing he is afraid of. You remember the verse that says, "For God save us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" 2 Timothy 1: 7. You begin to say this in your classroom – not aloud where your students can here, but perhaps in a quiet whisper that only you can hear or sometimes when you are alone at the beginning of the day or before Austin's class. Then you say, "God did not give Austin a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." Finally you ask God to subside Austin's fear, to empower him to participate, and to have self-control during class so that he can learn.
Fighting Bullying through Prayer
Amanda bullies everyone in the class through intimidation and fear. You've been to workshops on bullying. You've worked on building a relationship with Amanda so that she feet loved and valued, but nothing seems to be working.
You ask God to show you how to pray for Amanda. In seeking Him, He begins to show you some things you already know, such as how Amanda feels unloved, rejected and insecure. You know that the devil is the one who is saying these things to Amanda because he is the accuser (Revelation 12:10) and the father of lies (John 8:44). You counteract the devil's lies by speaking God's truth about Amanda: "Amanda is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14)." (Romans 8: 37-39) "Once again, you do not speak this aloud where others can here, but rather privately where only you, God, and the spiritual atmosphere around you can hear what you're saying.
God shows you how the enemy is working against Amanda through those wounds to intimidate and control others, much like Jezebel did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. You've already prayed, "your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth (in my classroom) as it is in heaven. " You know that the devil has already been defeated at the cross. Knowing these truths, you may privately declare something like this, "Devil, Jesus already defeated you at the cross. , I tell fear and intimidation to leave. You have no place here. " Then ask for God to minister to Amanda's heart.
Intercing for Your Students
Intercing for your students is one of the most powerful key components of classroom management you can implement.
"Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intervened with every form of prayer at all times." Ephesians 6:18, The Passion Translation
"That student" who has a difficult time with self-control, "that student" who has a difficult time concentrating, "that student" who has a difficult time being kind to others … what would happen if you began to intercede for him / her?
James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
You can ask God to help your students have self-control. Ask Him to help your students concentrate. Ask Him to help your students learn. He made them. He cares for them. It's His desire to see their needs met both inside and outside of your bedroom. Sometimes you may not know what to pray, but the good news is that Holy Spirit does! Ask Him to show you how to pray for your students! He knows everything they need!
Prayer is one of the key components of classroom management I could never do without! Try implementing it, and watch what God begins to do!
Effective Results Elements of Classroom Management
You may find yourself thinking, "Do you really believe that all of my classroom management challenges are spiritual?" Yes and no. I do believe that the majority of major challenges you encounter in your classroom have an unseen dimension; however, we are human, too! I whole-heartedly believe you need key components of classroom management that are both natural and spiritual. They go hand in hand! Imagine how much more effective your natural classroom management strategies will be when you've paved the way through declaration and intercession! It gives your students breathing room to have freedom to choose and freedom to learn!
There are many more spiritual examples and principles I could share, but I'll save those for other posts. If this looks new and unfamiliar to you, I encourage you to keep an open mind before discounting these strategies. My purpose is not to enter into theological debate with you, but rather to share principals from the word of God that "work."
When I began implementing these key components of classroom management in my classroom, the results were evident. My classroom atmosphere and my students changed – even the most challenging students! Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! That means the God of the Bible is the same God at work in yours and your students' lives today! 1 Corinthians 4:20 says, "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." Jesus has already defeated the devil at the cross! Let Him show you how to defeat the devil in your classroom so that your students can learn and be free to walk into the destiny that God has for them!
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