Live In-Service Teacher training through Video Streaming
A Cost-Cutting Option
Training through real-time video streaming allows Christian schools to avail themselves of this service without having to pay for Dr. Overman's travel to the school or provide accomodations while he is there. This is a significant cost-savings.
Training engagements are possible anywhere in the world with sufficient Internet capacity.
Participants will receive 1 CEU recognized by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Format & Content
- Dr. Overman provides 6 total hours of live, on-line training presented in three 2-hour sessions using ZOOM live video streaming.
- The training is done over a period of 3 days. These days may be consecutive, or they may be spread over whatever period of time is determined by the hosing organization, within a maximum time-frame of 3 months.
- The title of this training workshop is God's Pleasure At Work.
- Session 1 (first 2-hour segment): “How to Connect Any Subject (at any grade level) with the 'Bigger Picture' of a Biblical Worldview." This session explains how connecting any subject matter to the bigger picture of a biblical worldview makes Christian education authentically Christian. Two practical lesson-design tools (the “Conversation Starter” and the “Activities Contextualizer”) are presented.
- Session 2 (second 2-hour segment): “The Lost Purpose for Learning.” This session explains why Christian schools should exist, what their purpose ought to be, and how we can rid the next generation of the debilitating “Sacred-Secular Divide.” A practical lesson-design tool (the “Awesome Activator”) is presented.
- Session 3 (final 2-hour segment): “How to Help Students Take Every Thought Captive to Christ and Not be Taken Captive by False Worldviews” This session deals with the challenges of false worldviews and how to equip students to spot the “baloney” when it comes their way. A practical lesson-design tool (the “Truth & Baloney Detector”) is presented.
References, Fees and Other Details
The "God's Pleasure At Work" E-Text
Who is this course for?
It's for anyone who works, whether for pay or not for pay! It's for homemakers (making a home is hard work), high school students (school work is hard work), bankers, lawyers, carpenters, farmers... It's for people who want to bring meaning to whatever work they do.
Why?
Knowing how to work is a lost art these days, but knowing why we work is an even greater mystery! 87% of workers worldwide are either unhappy with their job, or they lack motivation to actively engage with it. This course brings meaning to any kind of work!
What kind of work?
Yes, any kind of work (as long as it is ethical). God's Pleasure At Work is even for retired folk, because washing dishes and mowing the lawn is still work! This course applies to anyone who does work at home, at school, or in the community, for pay or not, from age 8 to 98.
What's the game plan?
- This course may be done as a church small group or Sunday School class, or by Christian schools, or by parents who want to help their sons and daughters to understand the meaning of work, or at work with a group of employees that desire to do business God's way.
- The God's Pleasure At Work course may also be done as an individual, personal study.
- A complete step-by-step Facilitator's Guide is available for any leader taking a group through the course.
What effort is required of me?
- There is a 180-page e-text to read. Within this text are over 50 short video clips to view. There is also a hard copy, 48-page, full-color Participant Guide that accompanies the text.
- To view sample chapters of the e-text, and to view some video clips, click here.
- 9 practical application tools are presented throughout the course, that help to bring the concepts to life. These tools may be used personally, and may be taught to others.
How do I get started?
- If you are approaching this course as an individual, just purchase the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Kit [see below], and go for it!
- If you want to get a small group going, you may recruit by sending a link to this 90-second video clip and to this introductory webpage. A Group Facilitator's Guide provides step-by-step instructions for leading a group. Click here.
- To order the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Pack click here.
the High School E-Text Curriculum
What grade level?
Recommended for 10th and 11th grade.
What's the main thrust of the course?
An introduction to work, economics and human flourishing from a biblical perspective.
Is there a textbook?
Yes, there is an e-book with over 50 video clips embedded throughout the text to make the learning experience more vivid and memorable. The text is called, God's Pleasure At Work & The Difference One Life Can Make.
This 180-page e-text (pdf format) comes with a 48-page, hard-copy, full-color Participant Guide, for reinforcing the main ideas and to for providing easy access to the course concepts for many years to come.
For more details about the text, including sample chapters and an independent review, click here.
Comments from students:
- "… I learned so much more than I could've imagined…I learned so much personally that I cannot wait to use in the future and share with others. I believe all Christians should read this book and soak in all the goodness just like our class did over the course of this year."
- "I really love how this book shows us that we should not look at life as sacred and secular, but rather everything that we do can either be for the glory of God or contrary to His will.”
- "…[this material] truly gave a unique and important insight into work and a Christian's role in the community. Not only should they work for God's glory in the church, but they should strive to succeed and give full effort to their Monday to Saturday job as well. Even those who believe they cannot offer anything for the kingdom have an influence and ability to impact the people around them. The world looks at Christians expecting to see hypocrisy; it is our job to make them see Jesus in the way we serve, love, and work."
- "…I have benefited so much from this class. The Theology of Work materials have been very insightful and instructive. Dr. Overman delivers his points clearly, with accuracy to Scripture. I would highly recommend the Theology of Work material and class to everyone at [name of school]. I have also been greatly blessed by our classroom discussions...A semester well spent."
What's the cost and how do I order the text and guide?
The cost for the God's Pleasure At Work Curriculum Pack, including the 180-page God's Pleasure At Work e-text with over 50 video clips, 48-page (hard-copy) Participant Guide and 53-page (hard-copy) of The Lost Purpose for Learning is $35. To order, click here.
The WRAP: "Worklife Restoration and Advancement Project"
What?
"WRAP" stands for: "Worklife Restoration and Advancement Project"
It is a 2-year commitment on the part of Christian schools to have the entire teaching staff trained in the fundamentals of biblical worldview and theology of work, with classroom applications and curriculum mapping at every grade level.
The WRAP gets down to "the DNA level" of Christian schools, where things like curriculum mapping are done, and "biblical worldview integration" happens in classrooms on a regular basis.
Why?
If students fail to see how academics fit into the bigger picture of a biblical worldview, including theology of work, they will tend to see the Bible as relevant to personal matters, or affairs of the church, but not relevant to business, law or civil service. Because of this, many will leave their faith at the workplace door as adults, and the world suffers for it.
Christian schools often see "biblical worldview integration" as a goal, but it is actually a means to a greater end. The WRAP clarifies that greater end. For more, read Dr. Overman's essay, The Lost Purpose for Learning.