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Of Scaffoldings and Bulwarks

The word just didn’t seem to fit the context.  The word that is typically used is “supporting” as in “supporting student engagement”.  But this time, the word “scaffolding” was used as in “scaffolding student engagement”.  I was intrigued!

I looked up the meaning of support.  It is to promote the interests of, to hold up, to keep something going. 

A scaffold, according to the dictionary is a platform on which a criminal is executed.  Since the context of where I saw word and the phrase is education, I think we can assume that definition would not fit.  But a scaffold is also a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in construction when working at a height above the floor or ground.  Still not all that helpful!

Intrigue aside; nothing was making much sense until I found this definition pertaining to the realm of education:  scaffolding is a practice where guidance and support is gradually removed to an effort to help someone learn and become more competent.  Ah, now it was making some sense!  

Helping someone learn and become more competent and maybe even to come to a place where they don’t need the support (or scaffolding) is a good thing in education.  It also sounds a lot like effective parenting, mentoring and discipling.

And while I would heartily agree with such efforts in all those realms, I can also think of a very compelling reason to have support and scaffolding that never ends:  For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.  (2 Chr 16:9 AMP)

Yes, I need to grow and learn and become more competent, but I also want and need the Lord to support me.  In fact, there are numerous areas of my life wherein I can never get enough of the Lord’s support and scaffolding!

It reminds me of the first part of the first verse of the very familiar hymn “A Mighty Fortress”:

            A mighty fortress is our God,

            a bulwark never failing;

our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

 

A bulwark is a solid wall-like structure raised for defense; a strong support or protection. 

Yes, support, scaffolding and even bulwarking, I want and need all that!

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