SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LEARNING CENTER
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Shepherd of the Valley Learning Center has enjoyed a solid reputation for being not only a place where children can grow developmentally and academically, but also spiritually. Shepherd of the Valley is a Christian school. We teach Bible stories to the children. We worship together once a week in chapel. And generally we integrate Christian beliefs and morality into all lessons and activities. While we do not promote any one specific Christian denomination, the foundation of our belief is that of the Lutheran denomination in Christianity. We offer the services and resources of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church to our school families, but do not push either our church or Lutheran confession upon anyone. It is our desire and mission to assist our young children in developing a Christian foundation upon which to grow and build.
We Believe and Teach That:
- The Bible is the source and basis for our teachings and beliefs. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
- God is the Author of the Bible who inspired men to write as He directed (2 Tim. 3:16)
- The only way people can be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16 and Mark 16:16)
We Believe and Teach About God That:
- There is only one God, the Triune God (Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit). (Matt. 28:19)
- God is the Almighty creator of everything and everyone. (Genesis 1:1)
- God, our Savior, namely Jesus, died on the cross to pay for our sins and arose from the dead on the third day. (2 Tim. 1:10 and 2 Cor. 5:21)
- God, the Holy Spirit, creates and sustains faith in us through the Word (Bible) and the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion). (2 Thess. 2:14 and Romans 10:17)
- God is love. God loves all people! (1 John 4:8)
We Believe and Teach About People That:
- People are created by God. (Psalm 139:13)
- People are loved by their Creator, God. (John 3:16)
- People are expected to obey God and His Law perfectly. (Matthew 5:48 and James 2:10)
- People cannot obey God perfectly. (Psalm 13:3 and Eccl. 7:20)
- People, therefore, are lost and cannot save themselves by keeping the Law. (Gal. 3:10-11)
- People are saved, however, by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. (Gal. 3:13)
- People cannot earn God’s favor or forgiveness in Christ. It is a gift. (Eph. 2:8-9)
- People are brought to saving faith by the Holy Spirit and given the gift of eternal life in the work and merit of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- People are expected by God to love all other people and serve Him; they are motivated by His love and service – to follow His example. (John 13:15-17 and John 14:23)
We Believe and Teach About Children That:
- Children were especially received by Jesus and He blessed them. (Matthew 19:14)
- Child – like faith was extolled by Jesus! (Matthew 18:3)
- Children are included in the blessing and promises of Baptism. (Acts 2:38-39)
- Children are expected by God to obey parents and others in authority. (Eph. 6:2-3)
- Children are to be loved and trained and instructed about God. (Eph. 6:4)
- Children dare not be misled into sin or away from the Lord. (Matthew 18:6)