Rooted in Love: How ICS Encourages Your Student to Pursue Jesus

By Dean of Student Life Mr. Hobbs

ICS is a Christian school not only in name, but all the way down to our roots. What is most important to us is that we show students the love of Jesus and encourage them to love others in response. That is why we have chosen Ephesians 3:17b-19 as our key verse for this school year and encourage faculty, staff, students, and parents to commit this passage to memory.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

In our effort to allow more time and opportunity for parents and students alike to be “Rooted in Love,” we have made the following changes for the 2023-24 school year:

1. Chapel Message Theme and Live-Stream

Last year our chapel messages were focused on the “Fruit of the Spirit.” This year we will focus on being “Rooted in Love” through messages on our Statement of Faith and the parables of Jesus. These messages will also be live-streamed on YouTube to allow parents and family members who cannot attend in person to worship along with us.

2. Friday Morning Elementary School (ES) Chapel

ICS high school worship band leads our community in worship during our all-school chapel on the first day of school.

Last year, ES Chapel took place from 9:30-10:30 each Wednesday morning. This year, we have moved ES Chapel to Fridays from 8:30-9:00. This change allows us to wrap up the week worshiping together as well as give parents more opportunity to attend with the earlier start time.

3. Weekly Middle School/High School (MS/HS) Chapel

Last year, MS/HS students would attend chapel together each week, with one group leaving after the singing had ended to go to small groups. This year, MS/HS students remain in chapel the entire time to hear a message from God’s Word each week. Moving MS/HS Chapel to the end of the day on Friday also gives parents more opportunity to attend with the later start time.

4. Weekly MS/HS Small Groups

Last year, MS/HS students would attend chapel together each week, with one group leaving after the singing had ended to go to small groups. This year, small groups take place every week during Community allowing for deeper relationships among small group members and leaders.

5. Student-led MS Small Groups

Last year, MS small groups were led by MS faculty. This year, we’ve adjusted the time these groups meet to allow HS students to lead these groups. This change not only allows opportunities for HS students to disciple others in the student body, but it also brings an increased excitement for attending small groups for our MS students.

Our school verse, changes to our schedule, our continued commitment to Teaching for Transformation, and our prioritization of Bible classes at each grade level are all part of our continued efforts to show our students their need for a Savior, His love for them, and the incredible joy that comes from being “Rooted in Love.”

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