More Than a Theme: Pursuing Transformation Through Christ
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
On Monday, Aug. 17, Flo Blue was the color of the day for NRCA teachers, staff, and administrators. From sidewalks and hallways to classrooms and gathering spaces, the bright “Be Transformed” shirts stood out wherever students looked.
That visible distinctiveness was a fitting introduction to NRCA’s schoolwide theme for the year, a challenge from Romans 12:2 to stand out from the rest of the world. While the shirts set the faculty and staff apart on the outside, the prayer behind this year’s emphasis is that God would do something even greater throughout NRCA on the inside.
In Romans 12, Paul calls believers not to be conformed to the world around them but to be transformed through the renewing of their minds. It’s a transformation rooted in God’s mercy (v. 1), accomplished through the finished work of Jesus Christ, and continued through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.
That transformation matters because formation is inevitable.
Everyone is being formed by something, either by God or by this world. The customs, values, and behaviors of a world disconnected from Christ compete for our attention and allegiance. Yet Paul reminds believers that because of Jesus, transformation is possible. It starts with a renewed mind, reshaping what we believe to be true, and gradually produces a life that reflects God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Leading the way in helping the NRCA community explore that truth this year are Christian Life Director Lilly Wooten and Community Life Director Jason Little. The two anchor the Spiritual Formation & Discipleship Department at NRCA.
“My prayer for this school year is that God will use His Word to mature our perspective of this life and eternity and transform our daily lives as a result,” said Little.
Wooten shares that same hope for students this year.
“I am so excited for our students to spend this year focused on what it truly means to ‘Be Transformed’ by Christ,” she said. “Our hope and prayer is that our students will be able to identify and reflect on the areas in which Christ is transforming and sanctifying them each day.”
That vision extends beyond a yearlong theme and toward a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ.
The Spiritual Formation & Discipleship team spent the summer building intentional opportunities for students, staff, and families to engage with Romans 12:1-2 throughout the year.
“Dr. Little and I have had a busy summer planning and preparing for this school year, and we are truly so excited to watch the Lord work in and through our students,” said Wooten. “All of our Student Life events and discipleship efforts have been covered in prayer as we have sought to invite the Lord into every initiative.”
Little added, “Over the summer, we have worked hard to prepare consistent teaching from Romans 12 for our students, staff, and families so we all have opportunities to apply the theme to our everyday lives.”
While transformation is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit, families are invited to participate in the journey alongside their students.
“We genuinely believe that God has great things in store for our community, and we ask you to join us in prayer that God will accomplish the work that only He can do!” said Little.
Wooten echoed that invitation.
“If we truly want our school community to be transformed and live a life set apart from the rest of the world, we need the work of the Holy Spirit in us each and every single day.”
Families can stay connected through chapel emails and conversation questions (sent at the beginning of each new chapel series), chapel livestreams and recordings, the Rooted Rhythms podcast, and additional book and article recommendations that will be added to the Rooted Rhythms resource page—coming soon!
During the school day on Aug. 17, teachers and administrators introduced students to the wonder of what it means to be transformed. By the time everyone headed to carline, the Flo Blue shirts were no longer the most obvious aspect of the theme.
On ordinary days, the shirts will remain neatly folded and put away. The prayer behind them, however, will continue all year long. Through God’s Word, the work of the Spirit, and the mercies of Christ, we pray the NRCA community will become as distinct on the inside as those bright blue shirts were on the outside on the first day of school.
