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By far and away, the most important teaching aid that you bring into any teaching moment is the example of your own life. Peter believed that, when Christians are living out their hope, they will stand out so starkly in this shallow and materialistic world, that others will be drawn to them in order to find out what makes them tick. School teachers spend a lot of time getting their classrooms just right – just the right pictures on the wall, books on the shelves, order of desks and chairs, and all the rest. They know how important a pleasant, stimulating, and reinforcing classroom can be. We must learn the same as well.
Have you set Jesus Christ aside as Lord in your life? This is the starting-point for becoming a welcoming classroom for potential students we will encounter in the as-you-are-goings of our lives. What does this entail? It means that you recognize that Jesus is not just your Savior; He is your King. All that we have is a gift from Him, and He intends us to use everything to further His rule and saving grace. We have acknowledged Jesus as Lord when, every day of our lives, we offer up to Him, for His use and approval, all we have, all we are, all we will do or say, and all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities.
That’s a pretty tall order, I know. We’re not likely to do that unless we have some hope of gaining something positive as a result of embracing such a consecrated life. What is the Christian’s hope? It is, as Paul says, the hope of glory (Rom. 5:1, 2). But what does that mean? In a day when people stake their hopes on good jobs, sufficient wealth and material possessions, reliable relationships, and a suitable amount of fun, it’s no wonder hope is such an elusive commodity. Christians do not look to such things for the fullness of life, peace, joy, and meaning. They look instead to the glory of God. That is, the Christian believes, and, increasingly experiences, the reality of God’s awesome and powerful presence with him, drawing him close, granting him joy and pleasure, and filling him with the sense of eternal truths and unmerited favor (Ps. 16:11).
The Christian hopes to encounter this glory every day in his times with the Lord, and also as the Lord makes Himself known through the glories of the creation. But beyond that, the Christian hopes to express the glory of God in his words and deeds, so that others can be piqued with the reality of a transcendent realm and an all-loving God. Christians long to have Christ increasing in them and making Himself known through every aspect of our lives, so that when people experience us, by word or deed, they get a little taste, a sweet fragrance, of Jesus Christ. They come into contact, that is, with His glory.
When this hope commands our lives – the hope of meeting God in His glory and then serving God by expressing that glory to others (2 Cor. 3:12-18) – our lives will be fully furnished and warmly attractive classrooms for everyday teaching. Don’t be surprised if people begin commenting on the grace they experience in your life, or on how much they enjoy talking with you. This is what Jesus did, and when Jesus is set aside as Lord in your heart, it’s what He’ll do through you as well.
We are called to be witnesses for Christ and to make disciples as we are going about through the normal, everyday situations of our lives. But we must be always preparing for these opportunities, always in communication with and submission to our gracious and powerful Lord, and always ready to respond to the promptings of His Spirit as He leads us initiate a teaching moment with someone else. This is where the most important teaching of the Church goes forth. Make sure you’re ready to go forth and fulfill this high and holy calling.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
You would not play in a football game without learning your position, the plays and how to execute your part and without studying the other team to find their style and weaknesses.
Likewise, you can't make a defense for your faith in Jesus Christ if you don't know what He taught and did. The best preparation for the Christian walk is to study every event in His life and teachings and see how you can become more like Him. Getting To Know Jesus is a complete non-denominational Bible study of every event in the life of Christ. Getting To Know Jesus is a tool that will help you prepare your defense for those who call you to give an answer for the faith you hold dear.
Thank you for these wonderful insights. While reading today's thoughts on being a living classroom, I thought of some verses in Ephesians. While studying Ephesians, I was struck with Eph 1:6, which says in the Amplified version: So that we might be to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Then I thought of 4:15, which says: Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth (in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly).
I recently shared these verses to a college group and then to a Sunday evening worship service at a prison in Indiana.
I challenged myself, those young people, and the prisoners and staff to ask ourselves if we are living in ways that commend the Lord to others. And also ask ourselves if we are living in such a way that we are lovingly expressing truth.
The Lord loves to keep reminding me of these things through His word and readings such as have been shared this week.
Thanks and Blessings, peg
Everyday Teaching
gmc4jesus makes this comment
2010-02-07 14:12:35
Peggy Welch makes this comment
2010-02-07 14:08:51