Statement of Faith
AT CMDS…
We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired word of God. It is the supreme and final authority on faith and life;
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
We believe in Jesus Christ, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man; We believe that man was created by God, in the image of God, that he sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born of a sinful nature, and are sinners in thought, word and deed;
We believe that the Lord Jesus lived a sinless life and died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that He rose again, ascended to the right hand of God, and will return in power and glory.
We believe salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and on the basis of His shed blood.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the eternal blessedness of the saved, and the eternal retribution of the lost.
We believe that the Bible provides the framework of God’s intent for relationships.
We believe God creates each person at conception with an immutable biological sex or gender — male or female — that reflects the image of God. In that full context, human sexuality is a gift from God to be celebrated and culminated only within marriage, exclusively between a male and a female;
Because of these beliefs, CMDS partners with families to disciple students. We aim to develop their heads (to know God accurately), hearts (to love God and others), and habits (to live biblically).
Chapel
Wednesday morning Chapel is the anchor of each week at CMDS. Through worship, prayer, student-led skits, and Biblical teaching, Chapel gives our students the opportunity to grow closer to God and prepares them for a lifetime of praising Him.
Each week, our 2K, PK, and JK students worship together in Early Childhood Chapel, a special experience thoughtfully designed to engage and reach our youngest students.
Our SK through sixth-grade students also gather for Chapel, where they have opportunities to lead in worship and prayer, participate in skits, and bring Bible stories and scenes to life.
Once a month, our entire CMDS family comes together for All School Chapel, a special time of worship and community. Parents are invited to join us as we gather together to praise God and celebrate the faith growing in our students.
Bible Curriculum
The CMDS Bible curriculum has been a central part of our school since we opened our doors in 1958. Each week, students engage with God’s Word through age-appropriate lessons designed to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its Truth. Bible class helps lay a strong foundation of faith in Jesus, while teachers encourage students to carry what they learn beyond the Bible classroom and into every area of their lives.
Throughout the year, special CMDS traditions—including Chapel Programs, the Birthday Party for Jesus, and the Easter Walk-Through—help bring Bible stories to life and give students meaningful opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others.
As seeds of faith are planted throughout a child’s years at CMDS, we pray the Lord will nurture those seeds and grow an abiding faith in the heart of every student.
2K–SK Bible
Our youngest students are introduced to the foundations of Scripture and the understanding that the Bible is one big story pointing to Jesus. Through developmentally appropriate lessons and meaningful discussion, children explore the “who, what, when, where, and why” of these sacred truths. Prayer is woven throughout their learning as students are encouraged to pray aloud, revisit their prayers over time, and recognize God’s faithfulness as they celebrate answered prayers and trust Him during seasons of waiting.
1st–6th Bible
In our elementary grades, students journey through the Bible twice during their time at CMDS, engaging with Scripture through a three-year cycle. As they study God’s Word, students also have opportunities to bring Bible stories to life through Chapel leadership and performances. Through worship, prayer, reading, and studying Scripture, CMDS students are equipped to know God’s Word, live out their faith, and share His love with others.
6th Grade Life Verse
Each year, our fifth graders begin a meaningful journey to choose a personal Life Verse—a Scripture that speaks to their hearts and reflects their growing faith. Over several months in Bible class, students prayerfully explore Scripture, illustrate their chosen verses, and write about why they selected them and what the verse means to them.
As sixth graders, they also take time to reflect on their years at CMDS, the ways they have grown, and the people and experiences that have shaped their faith.
At a special Sixth Grade Chapel, students share their Life Verses and personal reflections with their families and the student body. It is a sweet celebration of their spiritual growth and a unique opportunity for our oldest students to encourage younger students by sharing how they have found comfort, strength, and guidance in God’s Word.
This cherished tradition reminds our CMDS family that God’s Word is not simply something we study—it is something we carry with us.
Spiritual Development
At CMDS, spiritual development is woven into the fabric of each child’s experience. From their earliest days in Early Childhood Chapel through their sixth-grade Life Verse, students are encouraged to know God’s Word, grow in their faith, and discover what it means to follow Jesus in their everyday lives.
Our hope is that students leave CMDS with more than a knowledge of Scripture. We pray they leave with a genuine love for Jesus, a strong foundation in God’s Word, and an abiding faith that will guide them throughout their lives.
