A chief aim at Manhattan Christian is to develop knowledgeable and competent discipleship among our students. Much of this occurs in the classroom as teachers and students interact during daily lessons. Another component of this aim is fulfilled by our Spiritual Life Program that consists of Living Groups, chapels, teacher-led devotions, and the community service program.
A chapel theme for the year is selected by each level of the school (elementary, middle school, high school). K-5 students participate in chapel by meeting together for a time of praise and singing every Friday. Additionally, they will have special class presentations or special speakers that address the year's theme.
The Middle School meets together twice per month. About half of their chapels are praise chapels, while the others are led by special speakers and developed along the year's theme.
High School students meet every week for chapel. One chapel per month is a small group meeting led by the Living Groups student leaders. The other chapels mostly involve guest speakers who talk about their lives in Christ or about the year's theme. Occasionally, the High School chapel will be a time of praise!
Teachers begin each week together with a time of faculty devotions. Each first period of class also begins with devotions for the students, led by the teacher.
Living Groups are small groups of high school students. Each group is led by two student leaders who are Juniors or Seniors. The groups engage in monthly Bible studies, weekly devotions and a group service project. Student leaders meet with a pair of adult sponsors once per month prior to the Bible study in order to prepare for leading group discussions. On Monday afternoons, following lunch, the student leaders have a devotional time with their groups and the group members share prayer requests.
Community Service is required of all Manhattan Christian High School students. In addition, the Senior Service Project program was begun during the 2001-2002 school year. Seniors are dismissed from school on Wednesday afternoons so that they can report to a self-chosen (but approved) place of service (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, tutoring in public schools). For 1 ½ hours each week, these seniors work with others building relationships and demonstrating the love of Christ.
