Derek J. Keenan, EdDACSIVice President of Academic AffairsDerek_keenan@acsi.org

MAINTAINING JOY IN TEACHING—JOY MULTIPLIES INFLUENCE!

LIVING IN A JOYLESS CULTURE

“The classical picture of happiness is one of a deep and settled emotional state that is

peaceful and contented and results from gratitude.”

–JP Moreland, Lost Virtue of Happiness

LIVING IN A JOYLESS CULTURE

The post-modern culture identifies happiness as that transitory emotion which results

from activity, accumulation, achievement, and accomplishment.

“Joy has vaporized because we are going at the speed of light. Speed is toxic to

happiness, causes train wrecks, and makes us irritable. When we get too busy we

economize on relationships, and irritability is poisonous to good relationships.”

—Dr. Richard Swenson

BIBLICAL PICTURE OF JOY

We are called to: Complete Joy

Constant Joy

Contagious Joy

Confident Joy

Comforting Joy

JOY AND TEACHING

The joyful teacher, if one intends to be influential, must be filled with the genuine, classical form of joy that is settled in heart, habitualized in action, and pervasive in attitude.

Joy increases our influence quotient because: It bonds relationships It breeds trust and respect It bridges conflict and adversity It blunts pride and haughtiness It begets hopeful attitudes It builds confidence It banishes discouragement

THE JOY ROBBERS

“Many Christians tend to hit their low point in character during the ages of twenty to forty…most conspicuous in the trough are the virtuesof joy, patience/gentleness, self-control, andinner peace.” (Zigarelli)

Sins of the spirit-attitudes Result from: Workload and time pressures, shifting expectations,

attacks of the evil one

Life realities-disappointments Result from: Unrealized achievement, overextended finances

Diminished intimacy-relational starvation Result from: Ambiguous priorities, busyness, isolation

THE JOY RESTORERS

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

—Cicero

THE JOY RESTORERS

Grow in Gratitude “Gratitude sets a thought context for processing

circumstances—a context of an abundant life; a context where everything we have is a gift.” (Zigarelli)

Grow in Faithfulness Practice the daily disciplines of prayer, worship, celebration,

and service

Grow in Joyful living “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I

knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.” Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Forgiving spirit—self and others Life purpose—sense of vocational value Determined attitude—mind focus on being joyful

WHAT JOY DOES FOR TEACHERS

Discerning function Wisdom to sort between the trivial and the

important Resets the defaults in your values and priorities

Energy function Produces stamina for the daily, short, and long

haul Resets the defaults to hope in your anticipation

Influence function Relational investments increase your capital Resets the defaults in your people skills

SEVEN KEYS TO JOY

Measure your Joy Index Memorize Biblical Axioms for Joy Accountable to Someone for your Joy Spirit Read the Mirrors in your Sphere Establish daily Joy Moments Practice Joy Investing Maintain Balance for Joyful Living

“Joy is not an attainment, but lived.”—C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy

COMMITMENT TO JOY

“Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame

or disappointment will darken their faces.”

Psalm 34:5

“Lord, May I …”

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lewis, C.S. 1955. Surprised by Joy. San Diego, CA: Harcourt.Moreland, J.P., and Klaus Issler. 2006. The Lost Virtue of

Happiness. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.Zigarelli, Michael A. 2005. Cultivating Christian Character.

Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.