Training Resilient Disciples
- Dr. Cy Smith
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Lessons from Dr. Dean Ridder on the Clearly Christian Podcast
In the latest episode of Clearly Christian, Dr. Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School welcomed Dr. Dean Ridder, Head of School at Isaac Newton Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With over 150 schools worldwide implementing the spiritual formation benchmarks developed under his leadership, Dr. Ridder is shaping the way Christian education is preparing students to become resilient disciples in today’s culture.
What Is Spiritual Formation—And Why It Matters
Dr. Smith opened the podcast with a compelling question: “Are we training our children now to be faithful to God, resilient in the face of cultural pressure, and capable of living a vibrant Christian life?” He emphasized that while the desire for this outcome is strong, many skip the training necessary to get there.
Dr. Ridder defined spiritual formation as “the lifelong process of a person's spirit taking on a defined form and character, specifically one aligned with Jesus.” He noted that, unlike churches, which may only engage a child for a few hours each week, Christian schools operate with a unique advantage: “We have access to students seven hours a day, five days a week, 180 days a year—for 14 years.”
This volume of time presents both opportunity and responsibility. “Parents entrust us with their child’s head, heart, and hands,” Ridder explained, “which means intellect, character, and behavior. And we must steward all three.”
Dr. Smith related his school’s 2024/2025 theme, 1,000 Hours: Every Hour Matters, because that’s how many hours each year students spend in school. That’s a lot of time, and it can’t be wasted or taken for granted.
From Benchmarks to Fertile Soil:
Under Dr. Ridder’s leadership, Isaac Newton Christian Academy developed a groundbreaking set of biblical worldview benchmarks. These span five core categories: God, Creation, Humanity, Moral Order, and Purpose.
Each subject taught, whether science, history, or language arts, integrates these themes with customized benchmarks tailored by grade level. For example, students in science class may be asked: “What will we learn about the respiratory system that shows us more about God?”—a question that one fifth-grader answered by noting God’s intimate design in breathing, something we often take for granted.
These benchmarks are more than academic; they’re cultural training. As Dr. Smith observed, “It’s fascinating that resilient disciples are often culturally discerning.” Dr. Ridder agreed, crediting the biblical metanarrative—creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—as the backbone of a truly integrated Christian curriculum.
Cultivating a Sense of Mission
The conversation moved into how Christian education shapes purpose and calling. Dr. Ridder addressed the common misconception that “sacred” work is limited to ministry. “We must teach students that any occupation can be done in a way that glorifies God—or grieves God,” he said. Whether you’re a lawyer, teacher, or mechanic, your work matters in God’s kingdom.
Cy added that many resilient disciples show a “strong sense of mission.” This self-awareness, Ridder explained, is something that can be cultivated through intentional conversations and curriculum design that reinforces that all truth is God’s truth, from math and science to the humanities.
Parents as Partners
Parents cannot leave education to the school, even a Christian school. Education is at least a shared responsibility, and better yet, a partnership. “Christian schools are true partners with parents and churches, “ urged Dr. Ridder. “We’re not just responsible for a child’s head, but their heart and hands as well.”
He encouraged parents to attend conferences, use shared language (like defining obedience as “right away, all the way, with a happy heart”), and stay in close dialogue with teachers. In fact, the school even supports a board game for use at home, developed by Dr. Ridder’s mentor, to help reinforce the five biblical worldview categories.
Listen to the Clearly Christian Podcast here, or wherever you stream your favorite shows
Chalkboard Points: 2 Lessons to Take Home
In his closing segment, Dr. Cy Smith shared two powerful Chalkboard Points worth highlighting:
Chalkboard Point #1: Discipline and Training Works
“There are young people out there who are able to resist the culture, remain faithful to God, and are living a vibrant Christian life,” Dr. Smith noted. The evidence shows that intentional training, over time, produces fruit. Spiritual formation doesn’t happen by chance. It is trained, practiced, and nurtured.
Chalkboard Point #2: You Can’t Skip the Training
Dr. Smith was blunt: “Christian parents can’t take spiritual formation for granted. It doesn’t happen as naturally as most would like to think.” Without a clear, biblically grounded plan, children may never grow into mature disciples. And Christian schools—more than any other institution—are positioned to provide that daily, formative training.
As always, Dr. Smith wrapped up the show with a familiar refrain:
“The only way we're going to turn things around in our country is to increase the number of people who hold a biblical worldview and live that out. And the greatest hope they have to get there is a Christian education.”
To learn more about Dr. Cy Smith and the Clearly Christian podcast, visit clearlychristian.org or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to hear more conversations about cultivating a biblical worldview in today’s culture.
For more information about Dr. Cy Smith, Mansfield Christian School, and/or the Clearly Christian Education movement, click on ClearlyChristianEducation.com.
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