Hillcrest Continues Building Spiritual Disciplines in Kids: A Shield Against Depression and Doubt
Saturday night, a group of on-campus and off-campus students met to continue an entirely student-led tradition at Hillcrest. The students met to worship, uniting as a body of believers through the Word of God and responsive worship. This habit, evident in chapel services, dorm devotions, and worship nights like this, is building resiliency in students for tough times today and crises they’ll experience in the future.
In an age where depression, anxiety, and doubt can overwhelm kids, nurturing spiritual disciplines is a crucial safeguard for their mental and emotional health. Establishing these disciplines—prayer, worship, and community participation—anchors kids in faith, offering them the tools to combat life’s uncertainties. At Hillcrest, students experience this support firsthand, especially during the Saturday night worship nights, where the power of unity in faith comes alive.
The Power of Spiritual Disciplines
In nearly every class, students build an affinity for the Word of God through daily prayer and Bible reading. Chapel services twice per week draw students into a collective community that recites creeds, Scripture, and truths from the early church that builds community. Spiritual disciplines are more than routine practices; they are vital to development.
The community's emphasis on spiritual disciplines drives normalcy for a vibrant and active relationship with God and provides a solid foundation for facing challenges. These practices—prayer, scripture reading, and worship—allow kids to process their emotions through the lens of their faith, finding comfort and clarity in God’s presence. The importance of spiritual disciplines lies in personal devotion and the collective encouragement from a community of believers.
Numerous studies emphasize the profound impact of community during difficult times. When people face crises, they rely heavily on their internal faith and the external support of their faith community. This dual strength—inner faith and communal backing—gives children a strong defense against feelings of depression and doubt.
Hillcrest Academy’s Saturday Worship Nights
This is the foundation for Hillcrest’s Saturday nights of worship, creating an environment where students openly express their faith, pray, share testimonies, and dig deeply into the Word of God. These gatherings are a powerful example of how a community of believers can support one another. This rings true in church history, where church members found strength in their relationships with others and their focus on Jesus Christ. Hillcrest students experience this same sense of connection today. By coming together in worship, they are reminded that they are not alone in their struggles, and their faith is strengthened through shared experiences and a shared focus on Jesus Christ through engagement in Scripture and response in singing songs of worship.
Spiritual Disciplines as Lifelong Tools
The spiritual disciplines that kids develop now will serve them well into adulthood. The resilience they build through routine worship and prayer helps them face future crises with faith and confidence. Hillcrest Academy provides a nurturing environment for this growth, ensuring that students receive an education and cultivate spiritual habits that will last a lifetime. As these young believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they are equipped to face life’s challenges, supported by a community that strengthens their faith.
In a world where depression and doubt are ever-present threats, Hillcrest Academy’s emphasis on spiritual disciplines through communal worship, such as their Saturday night gatherings, ensures that students are spiritually and emotionally prepared to navigate life's difficulties with resilience and hope.