Safety, Group/Introduction Lesson

Safe Environment

Open with Prayer

Opening Story:             

              Growing up in the home of a social worker impacted the way I grew up. Don’t hear what I’m not saying; I had a wonderful childhood. But my mom knew the dangers that lurked in this world, even in a small town. She’d seen the good, bad, and terrible, and she made it her mission to create the safest home possible for us and our friends.

We rode our bikes freely in the neighborhood, but we had strict boundaries and she had eyes everywhere. If we ventured out of our given parameters, someone always saw us and told my mom. As a kid, I hated it. But as an adult, I’m beyond grateful.

My mom’s famous line was, “They can come to our house, but you can’t go to theirs.” She understood that our household was not the norm and many houses were unsafe for children. Because of this, our home became the gathering ground and my mom loved it. Our friends being there was never an inconvenience, and she made sure they were loved and kept safe.

I received a phone call from a friend many years after high school. We were both married and had children. The conversation remained at the surface level for a few minutes and then there was a giant pause at the other end. When she spoke, her words were heartfelt. “Christy, I always loved being at your house. Even when your mom made me help with chores or we had to go to bed on time. My parents never made me do anything and let me get away with everything.”

              “That’s funny you say that. I always envied you because you could go and do whatever you wanted and your parents didn’t care.”

              My friend quietly responded, “Exactly. They didn’t care. You always knew you were loved. Your parents showed they cared by giving you rules. Your parents loved you. And I knew they loved me too.”

              “Oh, come on,” I tried to encourage my friend, “Your parents cared about you.”

              “I wish they would have showed me by giving me rules.”

              Her words hit hard. My friend equated rules with love. But she was right. Safety equals love and parents who protect their kids aren’t punishing them, they are loving them. Every time my mom said no, she was loving me. When I couldn’t attend a trip or party, she was loving me. When she put us to bed or blocked certain shows, she was loving me. Safety and love go hand in hand.

The same is true in our classrooms. Safety and love go hand in hand. One of the ways to create safety in the classroom is consistency. Teachers who are regularly in attendance and arrive on time provide comfort for students. Rules and discipline that are practiced fairly show consistency. Our speech and words impact the feeling of safety as do our actions or inactions. Having set procedures, routines, and jobs also adds to the safety of a classroom.

              Are we creating safe spaces for our students? Can they enter our classrooms and find love there? Do we create a consistent and fair atmosphere?

Scripture Reading:

In the Old Testament, many cities were fortified on high hills so the guards could see danger coming from any direction. Others were carved into cliffs with only one access point. Safety mattered. Being protected mattered. And having a place to hide mattered.

What mattered even more was that they knew God was their safe place. He would be the ultimate protector.

1.      The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

2.      He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

3.      Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

4.      My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:3-4 (ESV)

5.      You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7 (ESV)

Discussion

1.      In what ways have you intentionally created a safe classroom?

2.      Do your students feel safe? How do you know?

3.      Why is safety so important?

4.      Do you turn to God when you feel unsafe? Why or why not?

5.      How does God show us he loves us through providing safe spaces and guidelines?

Homework     

Read Psalm 91 and reflect on what it means to dwell in safety.

Personal Reflection

              Think about classrooms you felt the safest in as a student. What made them safe? Now think of homes or places that were safe to you as a young person. What made them safe? Ask God to reveal truths to you about safety and help you put them into practice in your personal home and classroom.