spiritual life

Jesus replied, "Love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself." -Matthew 22:37-39

Our school helps children learn to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds. We educate the whole child: body, mind, and spirit, so that in turn, children can more fully love God and each other.

In order to help them develop a thoroughly Christian and Biblical worldview, we introduce children to a completely God-centered orientation of life,

• Students begin each day with devotions
• Prayer is integrated into the daily classroom routine.
• Christian Education is taught to all age levels.
• Students attend chapel weekly.
• Bible verses are taught and memorized.
• Teachers and staff weave lessons from God's Word into "teachable moments" throughout the day.
• Faith is an integral part of each of our lives, and there are times, in all subject areas, that Biblical perspectives are woven into instruction and classroom discussions.

Christian Education - Preschool
Each Monday students are introduced to a new Bible story from the Beginner's Bible. The entire preschool focuses on the same story each week which fetures a Bible character, related memory verse and character trait.

Christian Education - K-8
Our Christian Education Standards give direction for each grade level's classroom Bible instruction. Kindergarten and 1st graders use simple picture Bibles as they read and learn God's Word. Grades 2-8 have class sets of Bibles for students to use.

Chapel - Preschool
Chapel ties directly to the Bible lessons taught in class. Each Friday, City Tree's preschol children gather for chapel. They join together for singing, prayer, memory verse review and the Bible story that reinforces the character trait for the week. One class is responsible for teaching the Bible lesson.They may act out the story, use a felt board or puppets, recite a patterned chorus or sing a related song to communicate God's Word. We also take time to acknowledge children who exhibit the special character trait that is the focus of the week. Parents are always welcome to attend chapel.

2009-2010 Preschool chapel lessons and character traits.

Chapel - K-4
Chapel services revolve around a yearly theme. Some of our past themes have been: The Fruits of the Spirit, The Life of Jesus, and Heroes of the Bible. Each week our Bible lessons, songs, memory verses, and character traits relate to our theme. Each Friday, Kindergarten- 4th grade students come together for chapel at 10:30-11:10. Our worship time begins with prayer and joyful singing, often led by the school choirs. Classes take turns being responsible for teaching the Bible lesson. Children enjoy communicating God's word to each other by acting out these stories from Scripture. We occasionally have guest speakers presenting the Bible lessons. Older students assist in chapel by leading prayer and helping with audiovisual equipment. Awards are given in chapel each week to students who exhibit the character trait that connects to our Bible story and theme. About once every 5 weeks we have a combined chapel service with all K-8th grade students.

Chapel - 5-8
Chapel services revolve around a yearly theme. Some of our past themes have been: The Fruits of the Spirit, The Life of Jesus, and Heroes of the Bible. Each week our Bible lessons, songs, memory verses, and character traits relate to our theme. Each Friday, 5th -8th grade students come together for chapel at 1:20-2:10pm. Our worship time begins with prayer and joyful singing, led by our chapel team. Each week our lesson is taught by a guest speaker who related well to this age group, typically a pastor from First Presbyterian Church or an invited youth minister from another church. Occasionally groups of students are also involved in communicating the message for the week. Our chapel team assists each week by leading prayer, playing instruments, directing singing, and helping with audiovisual equipment. Awards are given in chapel each week to students who exhibit the character trait that connects to our Bible story and theme. About once every 5 weeks, our K-8th grade students worship together at a joint chapel that is held at 10:30am.

Memory Verse Program - K-8
Our weekly memory verse connects with our chapel lesson. By learning their verses each week, children prepare for chapel, and each verse seems to stay with them much longer. Children have an uncanny ability to memorize God's Word. Often verses that are learned as a child are remembered into adulthood. This is the kind of legacy that the City Tree staff would like to leave with each child.

2009-2010 K-8 memory verses