TwT: Are You Sure?

Tuesdays with Tyler

At Traverse City Christian School, we are starting a new weekly mode of communication called "Tuesdays with Tyler".

TwT is one of the many ways TCCS seeks to partner with the greater community.

These videos will be a way to continue the purpose of TCCS: Glorifying God, Partnering with Parents and Equipping Students to Transform the World For Jesus Christ.

It has a simple purpose: Connect and Communicate.

Topics may range from books I’ve read, current/relevant educational topics, cultural topics relevant to kids. All with the purpose to connect and communicate relevant topics in the hopes to equip those who listen with tools or nuggets to think about.

Below is a video of the first TwT: Are You Sure? along with a rough transcript of the talk.

Enjoy!

Are You Sure?

A couple questions for you...

“What do you want?” (p. 1)

“Are you confident that what you think you love aligns with your innermost longings?” (29)

“What are the things/practices you do that do something to you?” (55)

These are just some of the questions that James K. A. Smith addresses in his book You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit. The TC Christian staff read this book in preparation for our in-service week at the beginning of the school year, where we spent a morning unpacking many of the topics that come up within the book. It was an excellent time sharing and growing together as we discussed the book.

Within the book, Smith asks the readers to evaluate what sort of practices and habits are in our lives. Whether we are aware of it or not, these practices are shaping who we are. The habits in school, our daily routines, church services, and our homes all contribute to a reflection of what we desire and love. These locations are all “little kingdoms” that each convey their own message. Whether we are conscious of it or not, each of them shape who we are.

As Christians, we seek to further develop our relationship with Christ, encourage the same with those around us, and be doers of the word. However, there are many “rival liturgies” that vie for our allegiances. The culture around us is set up to appeal to many of our longings. For example, we can seek to find a “new self” at the mall or find belonging with a certain sports team. Now, neither of these things are bad, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy sports and can get deeply passionate into a game or team (Go Twins!) but we do need to do a self-check at times to see what these events are doing to us. What practices of the mall are shaping us to be someone we do not want to be? What ideas surrounding sporting events are changing the way we prioritize our life?

Be on the lookout in coming weeks for additional takeaways from this book on Tuesdays with Tyler.