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Key Components of Classroom Management

Whether you struggle with classroom management or youre a classroom management pro, youve
probably had that student who challenges you. We all have. Youve tried every strategy you know of,
but nothing seems to be working. Have you ever considered there may be more than meets the eye
going on with that student? Could this be why nothing you try is working? Could there be key
components of classroom management youre missing?

A New Perspective to Classroom Challenges


If you could see beyond what your human eyes can see, you might be shocked to discover other
nuances occurring in your classroom that youve not yet considered.

Take a look at this familiar scripture from the book of Ephesians:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12, English Standard Version

Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and
authorities operating under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil
spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Ephesians 6:12, The Passion Translation

Is this eye opening to you? Imagine having x-ray vision into the spiritual dimension of your classroom.
You would see the spiritual forces of evil set against you and your students as well as spiritual forces of
light (angels) sent to help them and you. Whew! Theres a lot more going on in your classroom than you
realized! Can you see why there may be some key components of classroom management that you
might need to add to your toolbox?

While little Johnny or Suzie might seem like the source of your problems, theyre not the ones youre
really struggling with. Its quite possible theres something else influencing their actions. Im sure youve
seen the cartoon images with a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. If you could see into
the spirit realm you might realize this image isnt too far off base.

Spiritual Strategies as Key Components of Classroom Management


Before I go any further, let me be clear. Im not advocating excusing negative student behavior based on
the excuse of the devil made him do it. What I am suggesting, however, is that many of the problems
you encounter have both a spiritual and a natural side to them. This means you need key components of
classroom management that include both spiritual and natural approaches.

There are many great resources offering natural classroom management strategies. I want to offer you
some key components of management from a spiritual perspective. These strategies are taken straight
from scripture.

The same scripture in Ephesians that tells us who our struggle is really against also gives us some tools
and strategies for standing against this enemy. There is a lot I could say about each tool and strategy
listed in Ephesians 6, but for now I want to focus on two things:

The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18)

Say What God Says about a Student or Situation


I used to think the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God meant scripture. I would pray
scripture over situations, and I saw many answers to prayer. Later I discovered that this passage isnt
just referring to scripture. Its referring to the rhema or spoken word of God.

I love to read in the Passion Translation. The translator takes Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic manuscripts
to convey Gods original message in modern English.

Take a look at Ephesians 6:17 in The Passion Translation:

And take the mighty Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Ephesians 6:17, The Passion
Translation

When you say what God is saying over a situation, its powerful! Isaiah 55:11 says, So shall my word be
that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Saying what God says is an effective tool to add to your key components of classroom management
techniques!

Here is what I would recommend when you encounter a struggle in the classroom: Classroom
Atmosphere

First, ask God to show you what is going on spiritually that your natural eyes cant see. (Jer. 33:3)

Next, seek out what He is saying about the situation. Sometimes this may come to you through a
scriptural truth you know about the situation. Other times this may come through something Holy Spirit
says to your spirit about a situation.

Then, say the thing that you hear God saying about the situation.

Declarative Prayer over Classroom Situations


When you say what God is saying over a situation, youre essentially declaring over it. If youre not
familiar with this type of prayer you may be thinking, What does this mean? Is it scriptural? Allow me
to share an excerpt from an article on declarative prayer by Debbie Przybylski of Intercessors Arise
International:

Declarative prayer is a dynamic way to pray strategically. We must be willing to wait to hear the
Lords voice if we want to pray declarative prayers. We must know the Lords timing and voice. It cant
be our personal desire. Its not a name it, claim it prayer. It must be God. He always has a plan. As His
ambassadors and representatives on earth, we are to stand in the gap in prayer for others (Ezekiel
22:20)

Declarative prayer claims supernatural intervention from God on Gods terms, not ours. Our faith for
declarative prayer comes from God and not our own efforts God works through our faith He is the
object and source of it. Its not about our faith, our own effort and abilities or anything else. Its all about
God. He calls forth what doesnt exist in the natural realm (Romans 4:17). Matthew 16:19 says, I will
give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. God does the binding in heaven, and then we
carry it out on earth. We receive the rhema word from the Bible. As we listen to God, our faith grows.

Practical Examples
Let me give you a few examples of what this might look like utilized as key components of classroom
management.

Dealing with Fear


Austin refuses to participate in class discussions or presentations. He constantly disrupts while others
are sharing or presenting. You find yourself in power struggles with him because of this, often to the
point of sending him out of the room before it becomes his turn.

You ask God to show you what is causing Austins behavior, and He shows you that Austin is struggling
with fear. Because of this Austin is causing disruptions so that he wont have to face the thing he is
afraid of. You remember the verse that says, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love
and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7. You begin to say this in your classroom not aloud where your students
can here, but perhaps in a quiet whisper that only you can hear or perhaps when you are alone at the
beginning of the day or before Austins class. Then you say, God didnt give Austin a spirit of fear, but of
power, love, and self-control. Finally you ask God to subside Austins fear, to empower him to
participate, and to have self-control during class so that he can learn.

Fighting Bullying through Prayer


Amanda bullies everyone in the class through intimidation and fear. Youve been to workshops on
bullying. Youve worked on building a relationship with Amanda so that she feels loved and valued, but
nothing seems to be working.

You ask God to show you how to pray for Amanda. In seeking Him, He begins to show you some things
you already know, such as how Amanda feels unloved, rejected and insecure. You know that the devil is
the one who is saying these things to Amanda because he is the accuser (Revelation 12:10) and the
father of lies (John 8:44). You counteract the devils lies by speaking Gods truth about Amanda:
Amanda is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). She is loved by God and nothing can
separate her from that love. (Romans 8:37-39) Once again, you dont speak this aloud where others can
here, but rather privately where only you, God, and the spiritual atmosphere around you can hear what
youre saying.

God shows you how the enemy is working against Amanda through those wounds to intimidate and
control others, much like Jezebel did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Youve already prayed, your Kingdom come,
your will be done on earth (in my classroom) as it is in heaven. You know that the devil has already
been defeated at the cross. Knowing these truths, you might privately declare something like this,
Devil, Jesus already defeated you at the cross. He disarmed your power. Youve already been bound in
heaven. Jesus is the ruling authority in my classroom. In Jesus name, I tell fear and intimidation to leave.
You have no place here. Then ask for God to minister to Amandas heart.
Interceding for Your Students
Interceding for your students is one of the most powerful key components of classroom management
you can implement.

Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times.
Ephesians 6:18, The Passion Translation

That student who has a difficult time with self-control, that student who has a difficult time
concentrating, that student who has a difficult time being kind to others what would happen if you
began to intercede for him/her?

James 5:16 says, The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

You can ask God to help your students have self-control. Ask Him to help your students concentrate. Ask
Him to help your students learn. He made them. He cares for them. Its His desire to see their needs met
both inside and outside of your classroom. Sometimes you may not know what to pray, but the good
news is that Holy Spirit does! Ask Him to show you how to pray for your students! He knows everything
they need!

Prayer is one of the key components of classroom management I could never do without! Try
implementing it, and watch what God begins to do!

Effective Results Elements of Classroom Management


You may find yourself thinking, Do you really believe that all of my classroom management challenges
are spiritual? Yes and no. I do believe that the majority of major challenges you encounter in your
classroom have an unseen dimension; however, we are human, too! I whole-heartedly believe you need
key components of classroom management that are both natural and spiritual. They go hand in hand!
Imagine how much more effective your natural classroom management strategies will be when youve
paved the way through declaration and intercession! It gives your students breathing room to have
freedom to choose and freedom to learn!

There are many more spiritual examples and principles I could share, but Ill save those for other posts.
If this seems new and unfamiliar to you, I encourage you to keep an open mind before discounting these
strategies. My purpose is not to enter into a theological debate with you, but rather to share principles
from the word of God that work.

When I began implementing these key components of classroom management in my classroom, the
results were evident. My classroom atmosphere and my students changed even the most challenging
students! Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! That means the God of the Bible is the
same God at work in yours and your students lives today! 1 Corinthians 4:20 says, For the kingdom of
God does not consist in talk but in power. Jesus has already defeated the devil at the cross! Let Him
show you how to defeat the devil in your classroom so that your students can learn and be free to walk
into the destiny that God has for them!
About the Author: Trisha Jones

Trisha Jones is an "educator at heart," providing learning opportunities to equip and position individuals
for their unique callings in life. Miss Jones specializes in equipping educators with faith-based strategies
for effective classroom management. Trisha received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary
Education from Oklahoma State University in 1998. She received National Board Certification in World
Languages other than English in 2008. Trisha has an Oklahoma teaching certificate in Elementary
Education and Spanish. She taught middle school Spanish in Oklahoma for 15 years (1999 to 2014). She
also taught small group and private Spanish classes outside of the public school system for pre-school
and elementary age students as well as adults. In the classroom, Trisha was known for her classroom
management skills. She is currently writing a book to share her stories and unique classroom
management strategies to equip Christian teachers in public schools with faith-based strategies they can
legally implement to manage their classrooms. You can contact her through her website:
Classroomkeys.com

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