Tenets
Tenets of Apologia Dance & Martial Arts:
Like the benefits, there are multiple tenets of Apologia Martial Arts. These are faith based.
The tenets of Apologia Martial Arts are Faith, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, Indomitable Spirit, and Modesty.
These tenets describe and teach us the things in our character that we need to learn in order to be better people both as individuals and in our community, and better disciples of Christ as we excel in our martial arts journey.
Faith
What is Faith? Well, faith is what we believe. Faith is trusting in something - even if you don't understand it, or don't see it.
Christians have faith in God, and we believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We are confident that what He promises in his Word He will continue to do. As Christians, we have faith in Jesus Christ, that He is who He said He is and that He sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins and give us a relationship with God.
Faith is trusting and believing in something without always having the proof. The Lord said that those who do not see and yet believe will be blessed. Then He said to Thomas, put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hands, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord, and My God! Jesus said to him, have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those that have not seen and yet Believed! John 20:27-29.
That is what faith is: not seeing, and yet believing.
Courtesy
The second tenet is courtesy. Courtesy is the showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior towards others. A short definition of courtesy would be "polite behavior that shows respect for others."
In Matthew 7:12 Jesus exhorts his disciples to "treat others as you want to be treated." Some people call this the "Golden Rule." The apostle Paul says it this way, "Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourself" (Phil 2:3).
Being courteous and respectful of others is foundational and basic to the Christian life. A humble and god-fearing person will naturally be courteous. If we esteem others greater than ourselves, we will be courteous. If we are striving to live by God's word, then we will be respectful and have courtesy towards the others we meet each day.
Being courteous at Apologia Martial Arts is quite a big deal. It starts the minute we walk in the door. Firstly, it is to show respect to our teacher and showing respect to the dojang and other students by bowing every time we enter the mats or leave the classroom. Manners are a way of showing courtesy and politeness. It is always respectful to say "please" and "thank you."
At Apologia Martial Arts we say, "Consomeda," which means "Thank you". Depending on whether your position is teacher or student, you are basically communicating "thank you for teaching me," or "thank you for letting me teach you." When we help each other in our training, we are showing them respect and courtesy that God calls us to live out in all parts of our life.
Integrity
Courtesy really comes out of Integrity. A basic definition of integrity would be the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles - moral uprightness.
Proverbs says "Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways shall surely fall" (Proverbs 28:18).
God's word also says in Proverbs 28:6, "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity, than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." Integrity is generally a choice we make to uphold oneself in consistent moral and ethical standards. It is having a reliable and honorable character.
Perseverence
Perseverance is steadfastness in doing something, despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Perseverance is never giving up, especially on worthy causes or goals. We rely on God in difficult situations and keep up the good fight to finish with honor.
Perseverance is a very important tenet at Apologia Martial Arts, and it is the biggest reason that promotions and excellence in our training are accomplished. Tae Kwon Do training is physically demanding, and learning the techniques properly requires a lot of repetition. When one starts learning a particular technique or pattern, it will probably be difficult at first; so one must persevere through the time and practice required to master it, and not be discouraged.
Self-Control
Self-control is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in the face of external demands, in order to function in society. Self-control is essential in behavior to achieve goals and to avoid impulses and or emotions that could be negative.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." Self-control is such a basic thing to think about. We need to have self control in every moment of the day; just to be part of a family, or to be around other people.
2 Peter 1:5-8 says, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measures, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Self-control is a requirement for every action and thought of every day, all day. It is an underlying element of almost every other tenet. Without self-control, the family would not work, activities would be chaos, and class at Apologia Martial Arts would be dangerous. Self-control is the inward struggle with outside things that happen every day.
Indomitable Spirit
One may not always succeed on the first try at everything that one attempts in martial arts, or in life. The indomitable spirit has the courage and confidence to try again and not be subdued or overcome in the face of fear or failure.
The indomitable spirit perseveres. Sometimes this can be a challenge; training in martial arts can help to develop it.
Acts 4:31 says, "And when they had prayed, the place in which they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
At Apologia Martial Arts, we have faith in Jesus and so expect an indomitable spirit to be a part of the Holy Spirit's work in us. If the Holy Spirit is in you, who can defeat you? Having the internal strength that comes from God and can never be defeated, is one of the most important aspects of your life as a disciple of Christ.
Modesty
Modesty is the quality or state of being unassuming, or moderate, in the estimation of one's abilities. The most basic and uncomplicated definition of modesty is to dress, act, speak, and behave in a manner that doesn't draw excessive attention to ourselves - thus allowing others to have equal opportunity to shine.
The essence of the concept is to respect others and respect yourself. It takes an emotionally secure person to know they do not need to boast to the world how wonderful, attractive, smart, successful and accomplished they are. When a person has this level of self-respect, respect for others, and self-confidence, it is apparent in daily life.
All abilities and possessions come from God and are for His service. Try your hardest and do not waste the gifts God has given you, but when you succeed give credit where credit is due to Christ.
Phil 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."