Under Construction: The Need

Here at OCCS, we are in the middle of raising funds for a building project, so we thought it was appropriate to connect this year's chapel theme to construction and the steps that it takes to put up a new building. Throughout the year, we will feature posts connecting to that theme in our series "Under Construction."

We started out this year focusing on "The Need." Our building is in need of more classroom space, a new music room, and money to make it all happen. But what is our need as God's children?

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23, our theme verse, doesn't waste any time in pointing out our need. We are sinners, all of us. We cannot measure up to the standard God has set for us. But verse 22 points us to where we can go to fulfill that need: "This righteousness is given by faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." It is as simple as that. We need Jesus. Part of being "under construction" is recognizing our need for Jesus--his resurrection power to come into our hearts and our lives to make us more like him each day. The 8th graders were challenged to think about these verses and what it means in their own lives.

To me this means that every sin we commit is all the same. God gives us righteousness and forgives us from all our sins, but there would be no righteousness if Christ didn't die on the cross for our sins. - Katelyn

This means that all people are the same. We have sinned, fallen short, and much more. We do not deserve God, but He loves us anyway. We are saved because of Christ, and our sins are forgiven. - Natalie

At Orange City Christian, part of our mission is to keep everything we do rooted in God's word. The central focus of scripture is Christ and our need for his redeeming work in our lives. The understanding of this Biblical foundation impacts everything we do, from correcting mistakes in math and editing our writing, to asking forgiveness when we have hurt someone out on the playground. Our goal is to help our students recognize their need for Christ and to see his redeeming work every day in their school work, in their relationships, and in their hearts.

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6