NorthPointe Christian holds to three mandates: the Love, Mission, and Image Mandate. All three of these commandments, rooted in scripture, guide both how we teach but also how we interact with the broader world. As the Friday Enrichment Art teacher, I have the honor of applying these mandates to art and demonstrating how to live out these practices in school and outside of school.
The Love Mandate, “Love the Lord your God … Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38) is foundational to how we interact with each other through working in the class as well as what our art communicates. Making art that glorifies and honors God is of utmost importance, as well as making sure that our interactions and the meaning of our art is loving towards others. Building these practices in an art class setting can be broadly applied to many different areas of study and lifestyle.
The Mission Mandate, “Go and make disciples … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 29:18-20) guides our creative practices by observing how our art displays the Gospel. Art is a powerful form of communication that all cultures participate in, and it is our joy to be able to share God’s heart through the things we create. Practically, this could look like studying how other communities make art, learning how to be sensitive to others, and working to incorporate the Gospel message into the things we create.
The Image Mandate, “Let us make man in our image … be fruitful … fill the earth … subdue it … rule over every living creature …” (Genesis 1:26, 28) explains how we are made in the image of God and how this influences how we live our lives. God is creative and artistic, and he has gifted us with this passion of His. When we make art, we are reflecting this characteristic of God and have the privilege of sharing that power with others. In everything we do we are called to reflect God, and art is just one avenue to do so!
Art is a direct reflection of God, His talents, and His world. By the guidance of His Word and these mandates, we can be rooted in the call to practice creativity in a way that honors God, honors our neighbor, and shares His love with the world around us. Building this muscle in the classroom helps equip both the students and myself to continue to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
