Introduction:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2).
I am going to talk about three words ending in “shun”: I will also shun those who like to shun me. The 3 words are:
- Confirmation
- Inspiration
- Transformation – the big one
Body:
So we have some students we are required to engage. Why? Don’t we get funding for “bums on seats”? No – this is not our true calling. Our calling is to be a top notch guide, or a terrific example.
Confirmation.
Learning is a journey, and like it or not, we must be aboard in order to benefit. We would like the journey to be a success (“The progressive realisation of a worthwhile goal” (Nightingale)). The engaged student is more likely to have success than the disengaged.
So we need confirmation – to confirm that they are really on this journey, rather than been told to get on the bus. How? Talk with them. Find out their life story if we must, but there must be a compelling reason for the student to want to learn. They must want to be there!
Keep talking and affirming. Reinforce this confirmation. Give them assurance too. Assurance that they have chosen a good path and that you will try to offer inspiration.
Inspiration.
If confirmation is the first step in engaging our students, then inspiration gives them the fuel in their tank for the journey ahead. This journey ahead is a long and winding road, with many a long hard climb and slippery bend.
Who would want to travel this road? Only those who really, truly want to be there. However, we might have done a good piece of goal setting programming, only for the fog to hide the way.
What is this fog? It comes in many guises, and to get through it, we need fog lights. Sometimes these fog lights need help, in the form of a turbo burst to the motor. Fog lights + turbo booster = Inspiration.
Who provides this inspiration? I liken the journey to climbing Mt Cook (Mt Aoraki) and there is a need for a guide. A guide to help the climber through the hard parts – the slippery slides, the rocks and knocks, the odd crevasse. Even a bit of hand holding. This mountain guide has a big task to provide inspiration.
When the student reaches the top of the climb, they can plant the flag of victory. Journey finished, though not quite over. The view from the top is awesome, and there is a huge satisfaction — “I have made it”. All of this is transformation.
Transformation.
This is the wonder of it all for the engaged student. Before transformation can ever be thought of, confirmation and inspiration must happen. Transformation is a renewal.
What do we mean by renewal or transformation? We have been changed. Changed.
Changed from a grubby little black caterpillar to a majestic monarch butterfly. I choose the word monarch because it implies kingship. This means king of their destiny, for the student.
Can a peasant become a king? This reminds me of Neil Diamond’s song which includes, “Did you ever read about a frog, who dreamed of being a king, And then became one” I doubt that the frog (or peasant) became a king on his own power. Let me suggest that he was engaged.
Let me bring back my opening quote from the bible. Some truly inspirational words from the apostle Paul — Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Yes, be transformed! However, read carefully — the first part says do not conform. I might rephrase things ever so slightly — “Don’t stand for the mediocrity and grubbiness of a little black caterpillar. Don’t listen to what others say, but know that with your God given talent and the right nurturing conditions, you can be a king. A magnificent monarch butterfly.
Rom 12:2 goes on to say: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” I won’t go into biblical principals, even though they are great and transforming. I prefer to focus on some of these words:
- Test – don’t take anything as gospel. Test and investigate. Find out if it is correct, and how it applies
- Approve – does it work? Perhaps there is a better or easier way. However, DO try to understand how it works.
- Pleasing – test + approve = discovery. This is always pleasing
- Perfect – always aim to be as close to perfect as possible. Some things, especially when they are from God, really are perfect.
So where does this renewal come from. As facilitators and practitioners, we have a God given responsibility to nurture this transformation for our students. We are a nurturing guide who can apply the right dose of water and fertiliser.
Conclusion:
So what is engaging students all about? It is about:
- Confirmation
- Inspiration and, above all
- Transformation
In other words:
- Assurance that they are on the right road for success
- Provide fuel and energy for this journey of success
- Help them to change from that little black grub to a kingly monarch. Help them to transform.
