Religious Standards

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
~Matthew 28:18-20

Our Lord commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples.” That same command is given to all staff, students, their families, and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran School (GSLS). The word “go” in the original Greek is accurately translated “as you are going.” The implication of this is that our entire life journey is one in which we have the opportunity to share the Good News of the Gospel. Therefore, we are not bound by geography or circumstances. So, it is that everyone at GSLS is intentionally given the command to make disciples where they are. It is our joy to be able to live life as His witnesses.

Trinity Lutheran Church of Simi Valley, California, supports GSLS in order to fulfill the Great Commission as an outreach to the children and families of our greater community. In today’s culture, Trinity believes GSLS plays a vital role in its ministry to demonstrate a clear sense of God’s mission to make disciples, to incorporate a distinct Lutheran identity, and to integrate Jesus into the life of the community.

GSLS teaches, lives, and celebrates these three distinctly Lutheran guiding principles:

Grace Alone

God loves the people of this world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him, and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

Faith Alone

By His suffering and death as the Substitute for all people for all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for mankind. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life God alone offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

Scripture Alone

The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word. In it He reveals His Law and the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

GSLS offers multiple opportunities to know and grow in understanding God’s mission. GSLS, in concert with Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Preschool, develops and maintains a culture of both inreach (to its own unchurched school families) and outreach into the Simi Valley community.

To that end, Trinity Lutheran Church encourages and assists GSLS leadership and faculty in facilitating these (and other) evangelism opportunities:

Sunday Worship Services
Bible Study
Scripture Reading
Daily Devotions
Mission Support
Prayer Life

Here are some current Evangelism Opportunities for GSLS (in collaboration with the Church and Preschool) currently underway:

Fall

Yearly decision between the schools as to where “Chapel Offerings” will be sent. (Past recipients have included tornado and flood victims and Overseas missions)

Sock-tober (The collection and distribution to area homeless shelters and to VCKids; Ventura County Foster Child Services)
Movie Night
Confirmation Classes for 6^th and 7^th graders
Trunk-or-Treat
Halloween Parade
Veteran’s Day Singing in the park
Thanksgiving Feast