1st Grade Chapel Highlights Ways Hillcrest Teaches Sharing Faith
This past week at Hillcrest Academy, the first graders took to the stage and stood tall as they shared what they’ve been learning in class. For these young Comets, standing up and speaking in front of their peers isn’t a rare event; it’s a regular part of their education. And in this normalcy, something profound is happening. They are reinforcing their learning and growing in confidence, shaping their worldview, and practicing leadership from an early age.
Presentations are woven into the fabric of learning at Hillcrest. In the classical model, the power of memorization, recitation, and discussion guide students to internalize the knowledge they gain in the classroom. However, something even more significant happens when students present their learning. When children articulate their knowledge in a presentation, they cement those lessons deeper in their hearts and minds.
When first graders presented this week, they spoke about what they are learning about God and how His truth shapes their understanding of the world. Their words weren’t just for their audience; they were for themselves. When a child speaks truth out loud, it solidifies that truth within them. The more they say it, the more they believe it.
The first graders started chapel by singing the hymn Climb, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, followed by their morning liturgy. Each student recited verses they had memorized, demonstrating their deep engagement with Scripture. They also included a patriotic section in the program where they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and My Country, ‘Tis of Thee. They concluded their program with another hymn, bringing a sense of reverence and joy to the chapel gathering. Parents and grandparents were moved to tears, with one even commenting on how thankful they were that their grandson was hiding so much of God’s Word in his heart. These moments showcased their learning and highlighted the power of faith-filled education in shaping young hearts and minds.
For the first graders, their learning this week connected faith with stewardship and patriotism. They spoke about their love for their country, understanding that Christians are called to care for and pray for their nation. They are learning early that faith and citizenship go hand in hand and that honoring God means stewarding the gifts He has given, including their homeland. These aren’t just lessons from a textbook; they are forming convictions that will guide them for years.
In a world where speaking openly about faith is becoming less common, Hillcrest’s lower school trains students to see it as natural. When students stand up in chapel and share what God is teaching them, they learn that talking about their faith isn’t just for adults—it’s for them. By normalizing public declarations of faith, Hillcrest is discipling students to become future leaders in their families, churches, and country.
These moments of presentation in grade school have a lasting impact. Imagine a generation of children who grow up thinking it is normal to speak confidently about their love for God. Imagine teenagers who step into the world already equipped to testify of God’s work in their lives because they’ve been doing it since they were six. This kind of discipleship transforms not just individual lives but entire communities.
At Hillcrest, these public presentations are not just exercises in public speaking but acts of worship. When students present in chapel, they aren’t just sharing knowledge but offering praise to God. The things they memorize and recite are more than facts; they are truths that anchor their hearts in faith. This is the heart of classical Christian education: learning that doesn’t just inform but transforms.
The first graders of Hillcrest stood up this week and boldly shared what they are learning. They spoke about God, their country, and the call to be faithful stewards. In doing so, they strengthened their learning and encouraged their classmates, teachers, and parents.