EP 17 | Your Classroom Teaches Before You Do

EP 17 | Your Classroom Teaches Before You Do

Preparing for a new school year involves more than arranging desks, decorating bulletin boards, and writing lesson plans. Long before formal instruction begins, the classroom environment is already teaching students what matters, what success looks like, and how people should be treated. In this episode, Roger and Maggie offer five practical questions to help Christian educators create classrooms that intentionally nurture biblical worldview formation. They explore how visual displays, daily routines, classroom celebrations, personal interactions, and the overall culture of a room quietly shape students' beliefs, desires, and habits. Whether you are setting up an elementary classroom, preparing for a new group of high school students, or leading faculty into a new year, this conversation will help you think beyond organization and aesthetics to the deeper formative power of the classroom. In This Episode * Why formation begins before—and continues long after—formal instruction * How classroom walls can reinforce biblical truth or communicate competing ideas * Why even attractive, encouraging posters should be evaluated through a biblical worldview * How to conduct a "secret shopper" review of your classroom environment * Why classroom routines function as formative liturgies * How classroom creeds, greetings, prayer, and student jobs can point students toward God's purposes * What awards, grades, recognition, and celebrations teach students about success * Ways to recognize humility, compassion, courage, service, and spiritual growth * What a teacher's words, discipline, and responses to mistakes communicate about human dignity * How remembering that every student bears God's image can transform classroom relationships * Why conflict should be treated as a worldview-formation opportunity * A simple reflection exercise to help teachers envision the lasting influence of their classroom Five Questions for Teachers 1. What are students looking at? 2. What routines are you creating? 3. What do students think success means? 4. What does your classroom say about people? 5. How will students remember your classroom? A worldview-shaping classroom is not merely attractive or well organized. It is an environment that consistently points students toward what is true, good, and beautiful—and toward who God has created them to become. Resources Mentioned * Beyond Biblical Integration [https://store.summit.org/Beyond-Biblical-Integration] by Roger Erdvig * Summit's Train-the-Trainer program: summit.org/train-the-trainer [https://summit.org/train-the-trainer] Subscribe & Share Subscribe to Teach Biblically wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with a teacher or school leader preparing for the new school year.

Ep 16 | Every Task Matters: Reclaiming Work Through a Biblical Worldview w/ Nathan Reitz

Most Christians spend nearly a third of their lives at work, yet few have ever been taught a truly biblical theology of work. Too often, work becomes either a necessary evil, a means to financial success, or something that only "counts" if it's ministry. In this episode, Roger and Maggie sit down with Summit Ministries' Director of Properties, Nathan Reitz, to explore how Scripture completely reshapes our understanding of work. Drawing from the four-chapter gospel—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—Nathan explains why every vocation, from fixing plumbing to teaching students, can become an act of worship. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, facilities director, parent, or business professional, this conversation will challenge you to see your daily work as sacred participation in God's ongoing work of cultivating and stewarding His creation. In This Episode * Why many Christians unintentionally adopt a distorted view of work * The danger of separating "sacred" ministry from "ordinary" occupations * How the four-chapter gospel transforms our understanding of vocation * Why work existed before the Fall—and why that changes everything * The biblical meaning of cultivation and stewardship * How gratitude replaces frustration in difficult work * Why identity must come before productivity * The surprising connection between fixing plumbing and advancing God's Kingdom * How unseen work becomes worship * Practical ways Christian educators can help students develop a biblical view of work Books Mentioned * Every Good Endeavor [https://www.amazon.com/Every-Good-Endeavor-Connecting-Your/dp/1594632820/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MN1Y78YLIC9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iAYs1Ga6c9BLwckAq0Pu8anYPlhscjeervLELLSGtU_jyy2N5DqVc3s3yT5EDhTxeTUQRsHyFJ4H1g_zGp3JnZPh_NUQVkCEf680TJ0lUD53UERWDJ0dINBmgQUGIHEGPsqImoxFqayAs-QaiOkbBB39mHGEOsRVh8ZDYNFRR-319yhp1dATK20cPrMt8ThleA4VdGwmLo-eVW9r_yJ_x6I0sutgaGSUnSarOuNqSfU.-vWLWBfy5SnUPCS_DxQ-fOV8QRyBIvwoOF6nkVsSmHs&dib_tag=se&keywords=every+good+endeavor+tim+keller&qid=1782752281&sprefix=every+good+en%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1] — Timothy Keller * How Then Should We Work? [https://www.amazon.com/How-Then-Should-Work-Rediscovering/dp/0997536942/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P1PB53RSQSA0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R0B-YF-vTirGfBF_gyANCB5InXlufCK6BA1HkPuXVnBpTPLWX6uGwEd9M2i1rtinLRtZciqskpAZF66B_ssT73Ys_ZwWl6Vr6KuN1By4xvcuzTa6d1n8bnRTNeboAidnj0ZGFZxe7EXBrLDHEM92dOUnC8FBPTf1bQc4ChPRQ2HUzkD_EyPQEtuJNcIOwiriJCdzG1jQLMN3e7t2_0Og5w.GEBQmbj7CpehrJzBZw1rtcOkmxjpye95Dlnxflhb0yI&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+then+should+we+work&qid=1782752305&sprefix=how+then+should+we+work%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1] — Hugh Whelchel * The Call [https://www.amazon.com/Call-Finding-Fulfilling-Gods-Purpose/dp/0785220070/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1R9VB7806P40D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i_Cywxu7hyt0kR121ITiRkMFJo9QGzpXfo9SVrBI3VqN280OYtOYgmgoykSnD3mICerb8yj2431xDjDNMMJeBnlpaNEXbPUaiKKY4RlrbrJQfySar3v5QTM3Qru7fBGSIw_jeZM92DppJsx-fyQuTP5WndsXXKwAiMoq_Fgl1wV2rEakQRvi0U9w6jaji3tYoMTecI8aFDvQSiBqPMDOWRY-2oed0pNz01VVDhCVHyA.RGdSIr-4JS6i3VIjBjWCPslcLgCfjLahSZ07vtSY6Vw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+call+os+guinness&qid=1782752332&sprefix=the+call+os%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1] — Os Guinness Connect With Us If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe to the Teach Biblically Podcast and share it with another educator, school leader, or ministry professional who wants to help others see every area of life through the lens of a biblical worldview.

Ep 15 | Books That Form Us: Six Summer Reads for Growth, Leadership, and Worldview

What makes a book truly formative? In this summer reading episode, Roger and Maggie each share three books that have challenged, stretched, encouraged, and reshaped the way they think about leadership, creativity, worldview, faith, and everyday life. From classic literature to leadership development to spiritual formation, these recommendations go far beyond typical "professional development" reads to shaping our worldview. In this episode, they discuss: * Why creativity is part of being made in the image of God * What the Inklings can teach us about collaboration and feedback * How service-learning transforms education * Why Frankenstein is far deeper — and more relevant — than most people realize * The importance of joy-centered leadership * How everyday routines can become spiritually formative moments Whether you're looking for a meaningful summer read, ideas for personal growth, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations about books, this episode is full of practical insight and rich reflection. Books Mentioned * Bandersnatch — Diana Glyer * Bring It to Life — Roger Erdvig & Lynn Swaner * Naming the Animals — Stephen Roach * Every Moment Holy — Douglas McKelvey * Frankenstein — Mary Shelley * Rare Leadership — Marcus Warner & Jim Wilder

Ep 14 | Why Biography Matters: Shaping Hearts Through Story with Champ Thornton

How do biographies shape worldview, desires, and spiritual formation? In this episode, Roger and Maggie sit down with author and Crossway [https://www.crossway.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] publisher Champ Thornton to explore the formative power of biography, storytelling, and Christian imagination. Champ shares how a single worldview book deeply reshaped his thinking, why biographies are uniquely powerful tools for discipleship, and how his new children's biography series seeks to help young readers love truth, goodness, and beauty. In this conversation, they discuss: * How Creation Regained by Albert Wolters transformed Champ's understanding of worldview * Why worldview formation begins with shaping desires, not just transferring information * The importance of helping children become curious lifelong learners * Why biographies are "efficient reads" that combine history, theology, psychology, and story * How compelling Christian biographies can help students see themselves in the lives of faithful believers * The challenge of writing biographies that are honest, engaging, and age-appropriate * Why Christian education needs stories that capture students' hearts, not just their minds Champ also shares insight into his growing Lives of Faith and Grace biography series for middle-grade readers, including books on: * John Bunyan * Corrie ten Boom * Martin Luther * C. S. Lewis * Eric Liddell * Elisabeth Elliot and more. This episode is full of encouragement for teachers, parents, school leaders, and anyone who wants to help young people grow into faithful, thoughtful followers of Christ. Resources Mentioned * Creation Regained — Albert Wolters * The Really Radical Book for Kids — Champ Thornton * Lives of Faith and Grace biography series from Crossway Publishers — Champ Thornton

Ep 13 | On the Edge of Our Seats: What We've Observed in Classrooms in 2025–26

What does authentic biblical worldview immersion actually look like in real classrooms? In this episode of Teach Biblically, Roger Erdvig and Maggie Pope pull back the curtain on nearly 300 classroom visits completed during the 2025–26 school year. Rather than focusing on theory, they share real examples of what they've seen teachers doing well—and where important opportunities for worldview formation are being missed. From elementary Bible classes to high school math classrooms, Roger and Maggie unpack how seemingly small instructional choices can profoundly shape students' habits of thinking, relationships, ownership, and heart formation. The conversation highlights a central conviction of Biblical Worldview Immersion: teachers do not need to reinvent their lessons or force spiritual conversations into every moment. Instead, they can intentionally harness what they are already doing to cultivate the dispositions and skills of lifelong worldview formation. Resources & Links * Standards for Worldview Formation: www.summit.org/standards