In a sentence, Teach Feast groups are about coming together as students and trainees as those being shaped by the gospel to study and teach in the shape of the gospel.
If we’re following Jesus, we want the good news of His death and resurrection to shape and transform every area of our life, including our work and study. Jesus came to reconcile all of creation to himself (Colossians 1:15-20), our coursemates and our very field of study included.
Shaped by the Gospel in Community
A huge part of what shapes us as teachers (and people in general) are the communities that we are part of, whether we are aware of their influence or not. Teaching shaped by the gospel means letting our attitudes, words, actions and plans be shaped by God’s ways.
However, as we learn to teach, we are introduced to several communities of course lecturers, mentors, school colleagues and course mates. They influence the ideas we form about teaching, our approach to pedagogy, and how we evaluate how well we are doing. It is invaluable, therefore, to have community who are in the same boat as us and which is in pursuit of Jesus being glorified first and foremost.
Teach Feast groups are an opportunity to study teaching in such a community. They are Christian communities near to you in which you intentionally pursue together being shaped by the gospel in your teaching life. They do this around the threefold aim to see theology students supported, equipped, and mobilised to live and speak for Jesus in the world of education.
This provides a great opportunity to dig deeper into the interface between teaching and your faith. It also creates a safe space to ask questions, air challenges, and explore some of the joys and difficulties on your course with others who are going through a similar experience, and those who have gone before.
Mobilised for Mission in Your CU
The gospel also leads us to speak about Jesus to others, and this is no different at uni, in the staffroom or in a classroom, though the opportunities might look very different. Teach Feast groups are a place to encourage one another to put the gospel to work in your studies, in the relationships you form in your school communities, and in effective personal evangelism amongst your course mates.
It is so helpful to meet people trying to do the same thing, to discuss together, pray for each other and ask one another how it’s going.
Imagine the impact that having a witnessing community of teachers could have on your uni department and perhaps even your city!
What now?
Check out if your area has a Teach Feast group and get involved.
If there isn't already a group, are you thinking about starting one?