Philosophy

=Statement of Purpose= The purpose of Gethsemane Lutheran School is to provide Christian education, solidly founded on Scripture, to the children we have the privilege to serve. It is our hope and prayer that the students who leave our midst are thoroughly prepared to be productive citizens here on earth and forever in heaven. The members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church place a high value on this training of our youth, and so generously support the operation of Gethsemane Lutheran School.

PRINCIPLES
In teaching the children entrusted to our care, Gethsemane Lutheran School adopts the following guiding principles:
 * God is the Creator and Preserver of the universe and man.
 * Our students know and believe in Jesus Christ, their Savior, who came to suffer and die for their sins.
 * Christian living flows out of love for our Savior.
 * All subjects are taught in the light of God’s Word.
 * All people are God’s creation, and therefore all should be treated with Christ-like kindness and respect.
 * All people have the duty to become responsible, productive citizens who obey the laws of the land and are involved in their communities.
 * Parents work along with teachers to train their children in Christian living.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The Word of God is taught daily and permeates all the subject areas so that the child is led to:
 * THE STRENGTHENING OF FAITH
 * 1) Confess his faith in the Triune God
 * 2) Confess his sins and lost condition as shown to him by the law
 * 3) Confess that Christ died for all men including him
 * 4) Hear the Word of God often so that the Holy Spirit may thereby strengthen his faith
 * 5) Participate actively in private and home devotions
 * 6) Learn the basic Christian doctrines and all other fields of study within the framework of these doctrines
 * 7) Seek Christian companionship
 * THE EXERCISING OF FAITH
 * 1) Recognize that all he has is a gift from God
 * 2) Strive out of love and thankfulness to God to lead a God-pleasing life by using his time, talents, and foods to the glory of God.
 * 3) Show his Christian joy by wanting to share the Gospel with others such as by bringing friends to church and giving to missions.
 * 4) Be an active member of his congregation.
 * 5) Treat his body and his neighbors as the temple of God.
 * 6) Display a Christian attitude toward his neighbor.
 * 7) Seek Christian companionship.
 * THE ACCEPTANCE OF AUTHORITY
 * 1) Regard God as a Friend and Father to whom he can take any trouble and who is always ready to help in the way He knows best for us.
 * 2) Respect and obey God’s representatives in the home, church, school, and state, as well as, any other authority; and willingly accept their discipline.
 * THE APPRECIATION OF GOD’S GOODNESS
 * 1) Recognize the world as God’s creation
 * 2) Lead this life as a child of God who has been redeemed by Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

All subjects are taught so that the child:
 * 1) Meets all requirements of a basic elementary education
 * 2) Is prepared to enter a Lutheran or public high school
 * 3) Becomes a useful Christian to his society
 * 4) Develops his full potential