My third book! (giveaway)
By Angela Watson
I’m very excited to announce that The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators is being released this week! This book has truly been a labor of love and I’m thrilled to share it with you all.
Last summer, I published Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching to share the story of how I went from being professionally burned out to feeling rejuvenated and ready to handle whatever life in the classroom brings. I explained how you can develop thought habits that produce an unshakeable sense of contentment, motivation, and purpose. The book drew upon principles of stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, spiritual truths, and personal experiences. Awakened is not a Christian book: it was written to speak to ALL educators, regardless of their faith or lack thereof. But its principles can be connected to countless biblical truths by those who choose to seek them out.
The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators is designed to deepen Christian teachers’ understanding of the principles in Awakened. The guide elaborates on what God’s word has to say about renewing our minds. It’s 8.5 x 11 and is designed to be a workbook where you can record your thoughts and respond to what you’ve read.
Each devotion is 4 pages: the first page includes the corresponding Awakened reading and an opening reflection where you can write down your initial thoughts as well as notes from Awakened if needed. The second page has the devotion and a wide left margin for notetaking. The third page has the application questions (with space for your responses) and an additional scripture reading (with space to add other related Bible verses you’re reminded of.) The fourth page has a “to do” challenge with a work space and a prayer.
You can use The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators on your own or with a group in your community. I’m also offering the first (and only?) online Bible study developed specifically for educators. Beginning the week of August 5th and continuing through the week of January 27, 2013, we’ll be working through one devotion together on a weekly basis. The application questions will be posted on a private blog each Sunday. You can read and respond to the devotion any time during that week, and then the next set of questions will be posted the following Sunday. I conducted a focus group for the devotional book before it was published and we used this format–it was so much fun to grow with one another, share prayer requests, etc! I definitely think it enhances the experience to have a group of educators who are working through the same topics and issues as you are.
Here are the details and sign-up for the online Bible study group and to get ordering/purchasing information. You can also read the reviews of the book and online Bible study book club from those who participated in the focus group.
Also, if you weren’t aware of it, I write a separate blog of free devotions for teachers, so there are some resources there, as well.
Want to win a copy of the devotional study guide? Just leave a super short comment on this post sharing one way your faith has had a positive impact on your teaching or attitude toward your work as an educator. If you haven’t already bought Awakened, I’ll also send the winner an eBook copy of that, as well. The contest will close at midnight on Monday, July 23rd and a winner will be selected at random. If you decide to buy the book now and then end up winning the give-away, I’ll refund your money.
UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED!
(I did not count the two entries that were replying to other commenters or the person who already has a copy and indicated she was not trying to win the book, just wanted to share how much she loved it. Those “side conversations” are perfectly fine–thank you for leaving them!) The winner is #67, Laura, who wrote, “I try to remind myself each day that the students I teach are God’s children. No matter how they act or what they do, they deserve to be treated as children of God.”
As always, I appreciate the thoughtful comments you all took the time to leave, and I am touched by your stories. If you didn’t win, but would like to participate in our online Bible study/book club starting August 5th, use this link to get Awakened and the devotional for $5 off (that’s $30 for both books including Priority Mail Shipping for U.S. residents). Another way to save money is to get the eBook versions.
Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
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Being a Christian teacher in a public school is not the easiest. The way that I go around this is that I teach a class called “Surviving Middle School” and my husband “piggy backs” it with an “Introduction to Christian music” at my church and I invite all of my students to attend if they want. The book that I follow is Christian based and my students seem to love it! I would absolutley LOVE to get a copy of this book. I haven’t been able to find any books even close to this.
Thanks for writing it!
Denice
When I am having a rough day or a series of rough days in the classroom, I always try to reflect and remember why and how I felt called to teach. I remind myself that God has a plan for me within my classroom and as I pray for guidance and direction on those rough days, I always ask that God grant me the ability to see the Face of Christ in those young faces I serve. As I serve them I need to remember that I am serving Christ as well! In addition, I pray that my students may see the face of Christ in me as I try to serve them well.
When I’m struggling with a student, having faith reminds me to view the student through God’s eyes. I think that God probably doesn’t always differentiate between my behavior and that of my student. Having a relationship with Jesus is the only thing that allows me to change my attitude and approach toward a situation I want to change, instead of complaining that a student won’t change.
I’m so interested in this book! I find myself sometimes dreading the overwhelming demands of a new school year, and I need reminded of how much opportunity I have to be Christ to those I teach and to those with whom I teach. Instead of “job” done grudgingly ….we all need to have refreshed purpose to the “daily grind” to keep it from becoming only a income producing task. Our task is pointing all we meet to Jesus! THAT is invigorating 🙂
Hi Angela,
I have always felt called to teach , but circumstances prevented it. At 36, I went back to school and now at 40, God has opened doors! I will be teaching at a small private school, 5th and 6th grade. I feel so blessed and excited.
I believe that every child has something unique to offer and great potential to impact our world. My prayer is that I can help them to love learning and to know that God loves us and excepts us just as we are. We do not have to come to Him perfect, nor does He expect perfection. I’m thankful for that. I know that apart from Him, I can do nothing. With Him, I can move mountains, and I’m counting on it!!