SPIRITUAL FORMATION
AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
WELCOME TO CALVARY!
We’re excited to spend this next year with you as we explore God’s Word and His purpose for the world. By now, you’ve maybe heard a teacher or administrator talk about the mission of Calvary Christian High School (CCHS): We exist, in partnership with the home, to provide a collegepreparatory education, immersed in a biblical worldview, that prepares our students to impact the world for Christ. This mission isn’t just something we say. It shapes everything we do at CCHS. The purpose of this booklet is to help you understand our mission more deeply, especially as it relates to Spiritual Formation and Biblical Worldview.
Here’s the short version: We want to give you as many chances as possible to hear and respond to the good news about Jesus. Why? Because following Jesus and committing your life to Him is the most important thing you’ll ever do. In fact, it’s the first thing you must do in order to impact the world for Christ.
might already follow Jesus, while others may have questions, doubts, or may still be figuring things out. All of that is completely okay. We respect students who have different backgrounds and beliefs, and we want CCHS to be a place where you can explore what you believe and why you believe it. This is also why relationships matter to us. Your teachers and coaches aren’t just here for a job. They care about you. They see spiritual formation as foundational to everything they do—whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, on the court, or on the stage. Yes, they have high standards and want you to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and fine arts! But our main goal is not for you to become successful in those areas. Our main goal is that you’d become someone who loves God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Of course, we recognize that every student has a unique background when it comes to faith. Some of you
Ultimately, everything in life is about Jesus. He is Lord over all things. So while we can’t choose faith for you, we desire to be a school where you can ask honest questions, explore what you believe, think about what’s true, and hopefully experience what it looks like to follow Christ.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND
BIBLICAL
WORLDVIEW?
You might be wondering what spiritual formation means, or what it looks like to be immersed in a biblical worldview. For us, there are a few things that come to mind. Let’s start with spiritual formation.
Spiritual Formation at CCHS
Spiritual Formation refers to the habits and disciplines that lead to dynamic life in Christ—a lifelong process where we are gradually transformed by the Holy Spirit to experience the presence of God and become more like Jesus in our thoughts (mind), desires (heart), and actions (soul and strength).
It’s Not Just for School
Spiritual formation happens first and foremost in the home, and then in the local church (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 4:11-13; 6:4). For this reason, we strive to partner with the home and frequently emphasize that we are a ministry of Calvary Church. To be a
ministry of the church means we share its mission: building relationships to bring people to dynamic life in Christ. Our vision for spiritual formation flows out of this mission. We want to lead you to “dynamic life in Christ,” which we describe using the triangle below. We believe that a person is discovering dynamic life in Christ when they are growing in three areas:
1. Experiencing peace with God,
2. Finding a place in His family,
3. Discovering purpose in the world.
We emphasize dynamic life in Christ because deciding to follow Jesus is just the starting point. A healthy faith will grow beyond that initial decision, and develop into a real, ongoing relationship with Jesus. That kind of faith gives you a vision for how your life might impact the world for Christ. As Jesus said, He came so that we might have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). We want abundant life for you!
Experiencing
peace with God, Finding a place in His family, Discovering purpose in the world.
Second, we know that living a dynamic life in Christ doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality and practice. That’s why, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we want to help you build habits and disciplines that lead to spiritual fruit and real transformation. Our vision for this kind of growth comes from Romans 12, where the Bible offers these instructions: Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). This passage gives insight into why spiritual growth can be so challenging.
One reason is that many of us are still conforming to the patterns of this world, meaning that our habits and disciplines haven’t changed. Let’s be honest: today’s culture is filled with countless distractions and addictions that make it hard to focus on God, things like smartphones and social media, YouTube and streaming, video games, pornography, online gambling, academic pressures, overpacked schedules, peer pressure, and even stress and anxiety about school. These distractions and others can drown out the voice of God and, as 2 Corinthians 4:4 puts it, blind us from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. But that’s only one side of the struggle. Many of us also don’t know what it means to “present our bodies as living sacrifices.” Learning to devote your entire life to God takes time, and true transformation doesn’t happen
overnight. Presenting your body as a living sacrifice means intentionally forming new habits and spiritual disciplines that lead to lasting change. This suggests, of course, that the habits and disciplines themselves aren’t the goal. Instead, they’re the tools God uses to shape your heart and transform your life.
We hope you are starting to see why spiritual formation matters. Everyone is always being formed by something or someone. The question is: Do you know what or who is shaping you spiritually? How often do you think about it? In our culture, people often act first and think later. The Bible’s approach to spiritual formation flips that pattern around. To grow in the faith means being transformed by the renewing of our mind. This requires slowing down, asking questions, thinking deeply, considering God’s design for the world, and developing a wisdom that is only found in Christ. That’s how you discern what is true, good, and beautiful, and that’s how you become the kind of person who can impact the world for Christ. These next few years in high school are so exciting (and sometimes scary), especially as you begin to dream about what comes after high school. You know that the day is coming when you’ll leave your home and enter the next season of life. As you
approach this transition, you might find yourself asking a common question,
“How exactly do I discover God’s plan for my life?”
When you begin thinking about this big question, we want you to understand that spiritual formation isn’t just part of the answer. It’s the key to answering all of life’s biggest questions. After all, God rarely (if ever) gives step-by-step instructions for every decision in life. He is probably not going to tell you which classes to take, which college to attend, who specifically you should date, or what career to pursue. That’s because what He cares about most is who you are becoming. Are you being formed into the image of our culture? Or are you being transformed into the image of Christ? He wants you to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). And when that happens, you become the type of person who can discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Biblical Worldview at CCHS
This brings us to our emphasis on immersing students in a biblical worldview. Just as we want to help you build habits and spiritual disciplines that shape you to become more like Christ, we also want to help you learn to see all of life through God’s perspective. This is how you begin to develop the mind of Christ. It means learning to think about everything (school, relationships, your future, and even your daily decisions) from God’s point of view.
How do we teach you to do this? By starting to develop the skills of worldview thinking. Throughout your years at CCHS, you’ll learn about worldview thinking in many different settings (Bible classes, chapel, Worldview Week, and even in your core classes like math, science, and English). In each of these spaces, we’ll dive into meaningful discussions about life, truth, and God.
Whenever we do that, we are working on skills related to worldview thinking. To help us think about worldview more clearly, there are two common definitions of worldview you’ll hear around CCHS. The first and most common one is the definition you’ll find in your Bible curriculum: A worldview is a pattern of ideas and beliefs that helps us make sense of the world and that guides our decisions and actions. 1
This definition is worth memorizing. Another common, and more expansive definition you’ll hear is one that was offered by an influential Christian thinker named James Sire. He defined worldview as:
A commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being. 2 The main idea behind both of these definitions is simple: your worldview is the lens you use to figure out what’s real, what’s true, and what really matters in life. Everyone has a worldview, even if they’ve never thought about it. Studying worldviews at CCHS helps you examine your own beliefs and ask an important question:
Do the things I believe actually reflect reality?
In the end, we want to show you that the biblical worldview is the true worldview that reflects reality and 1 Ben Keiser et al., Foundations: Book I of the Understanding the Times Series: Student Textbook (Manitou Springs, CO: Summit Ministries, 2024), 5. 2James W. Sire, Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004), 122
provides a firm foundation for how to live, think, and understand the world. With that in mind, here’s a clear definition of a biblical worldview that we use at CCHS:
A biblical worldview is the true perspective on reality—expressed either as a story or a set of beliefs— where submission to Jesus and the Word of God provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.
This definition contains rich concepts that we’ll continually explore throughout your time here. For example, when we say that it offers the “true perspective on reality,” we mean that it helps bring the world into focus. It provides reasons to believe in science, history, art, and literally every
other subject you study.
When we say that the biblical worldview can be expressed as a story, we mean that the Bible is the true story of reality explained through the narrative of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. When we talk about submission to Jesus and the Word of God, we’re saying that we should not rely on our own understanding but seek to understand what God says about the world and its design, because His Word is true.
Again, each of these ideas will be explored more in depth during your time at Calvary. Ultimately, our goal is not only to show you that the biblical worldview is true, but also to help you better understand the world around you.
C.S. Lewis, a Christian thinker and author known for works like Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia, once said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” That’s what it’s like to embrace the truth of the biblical worldview. By it, we can see the world around us as it actually is. The Bible equips us to navigate life with wisdom, purpose, and confidence, knowing that the foundation we stand on is firm and built to last.
3C. S. Lewis, “Is Theology Poetry?” in Is Theology Poetry? (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1962), 164–65.
SourcE back
SourcE to the
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE AT CCHS?
Chapel
This weekly rhythm reflects our mission to build relationships to bring people to dynamic life in Christ. It also reminds us what true education is about. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
In other words, knowing God is the starting point for knowing the world.
So when we gather to sing, read the Bible, pray, share testimonies, celebrate baptisms, and listen to God’s Word, we’re doing more than just practicing a
Chapel is an important time each week when our entire school gathers for worship. We schedule chapel during the middle of the week to remind us that Jesus is the center of everything, not just our spiritual lives, but also our learning, sports, music, friendships, and all that we do.
religious routine. We’re reorienting our hearts and minds toward what matters most. We’re reminded that all truth is God’s truth, that all knowledge begins with a reverence for Christ, and that everything we learn should lead us to know and love Him more.
CHAPEL
BIBLE CLASS
Bible Class
In addition to chapel, Bible classes are a core part of your education at CCHS. These are not electives. They are required because they train you in the worldview truths necessary to make sense of everything else you’ll learn in high school.
Freshman Year
As a freshman, you’ll take Foundations, a year-long class designed to introduce you to the core of what Christians believe and why we believe it. This class lays the groundwork for developing a deep-rooted biblical worldview. You’ll explore what it means to know God personally, follow Jesus in your everyday life, and see Scripture as the
true story of reality. You’ll also learn to find your identity in Christ, practice spiritual disciplines, and experience what it looks like to grow and live in Christian community.
Sophomore Year
During your sophomore year, you’ll take Apologetics, a class designed to help you understand why Christianity is reasonable, historically credible, and intellectually strong. In this course, you’ll explore the rational foundations for believing in God, the reliability of Scripture, the resurrection of Christ, and thoughtful responses to major questions and objections, like the challenging question: If God is allgood and all-powerful, why is there evil in the world?
Junior Year
During your junior year, you’ll take Worldviews, a class that shows you how the biblical worldview doesn’t just make sense, it also brings clarity to everything. You’ll compare Christianity with other major worldviews, like naturalism, secular humanism, Islam, and postmodernism. You’ll also explore how one’s worldview shapes every part of life, including science, art, politics, economics, morality, and more. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to see how Christianity explains reality better than any rival story and you’ll begin to see your studies and future calling as ways to worship God through your life.
Senior Year
During your senior year, you’ll have three core options for class. Most students will take Culture, but you can also choose Discipleship or Missions. This year is designed to help you discern your unique calling within God’s redemptive mission, whether that’s in the church, the marketplace, or around the world. You’ll learn how to integrate your faith with your future vocation, explore biblical principles of work and stewardship, and think about how to serve God in every area of our culture. The goal of this year is to prepare you to live faithfully and wisely in the world, anchored in Christ, grounded in truth, and equipped to make a lasting impact.
BIBLE STUDIES AND DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
Bible Studies and Discipleship Groups
On top of chapel and Bible classes, you’ll have the chance to participate in Bible Studies and Discipleship Groups. These are completely optional, but a lot of students choose to join in!
Early in the school year, we launch our weekly Bible Studies. Some are led by students, others by teachers, and they come in all shapes and sizes, whether you’re looking for a small group of friends or a larger group to learn and grow together.
As for Discipleship Groups, these are small, committed groups of 2–6 students led by a teacher, administrator, or staff member from Calvary Church. The purpose of these groups is to create a space where you can talk openly about life, faith, and following
Jesus. Each group decides when and how often to meet, but most meet at least once a week.
Whether you’re looking to ask questions, grow in your faith, or find people to walk alongside you, a Discipleship Group is a great place to get connected.
OTHER SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
Other Spiritual Formation Opportunities
Beyond our regular schedule, there are even more ways to grow in your faith with your peers at CCHS.
Each year, we have Spiritual Emphasis Days, a special week where we gather for three extended chapels with a guest speaker who challenges us to live a dynamic life with Christ. This week is all about reaching the heart and reminding us of who we are in Christ.
We also have Worldview Week once a year. While similar in format, the emphasis of this week is to reach the mind, encouraging us to think deeply about how our beliefs shape the way we see the world and how to take every thought captive to obey Christ.
While most of our Spiritual Formation events are led by CCHS faculty, there are also student-led opportunities that happen all throughout the year. Some examples include:
• SNoW (Student Night of Worship) – held four times a year
• Wednesday Morning Prayer – every week before school
• Friday Morning Worship – held on select Fridays
• Plus other special events organized by students and supported by our teachers
No matter where you are in your faith journey, there’s a place for you to get involved, grow, and experience life with God and others.
MISSION TRIPS
Mission Trips
The last thing to mention is mission trips.
At CCHS, we believe that following Jesus means more than simply learning about Him. It means living out His call to make disciples of all nations. That’s why each year during Spring Break, we partner with the church to offer mission trips. These opportunities invite students to step outside their comfort zones, serve others, and share the love of Christ. Past trips have included New York City, London, Guatemala, Uganda, and South Asia, and each experience is designed to stretch your faith and deepen your understanding of God’s heart for the world.
We hope you seriously consider going on a mission trip while in high school because these experiences allow you to put into practice the values we teach at CCHS. Through them, you’ll not only grow spiritually but also see firsthand what it means to love others and share the good news of Jesus in a tangible way.
IMPACTING THE WORLD FOR CHRIST
We look forward to walking this journey with you over the next few years. And as we do, our hope and prayer is that you’ll come to know Jesus, learn to see the world from His perspective, and continue to grow in wisdom as you discover God’s plan for your life. Whether you’re in class, at practice, performing on stage, or just hanging out with friends, our desire is that you’ll follow Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, so that you’ll be equipped to impact the world for Christ.