Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
EDUCATION FOUNDED ON THE FEAR OF THE LORD

1 Corinthians 2:1-16
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

As summer now begins to ebb away, students of all ages start to transition back to life in the school year. During the first week or so of the school year, students will assemble their supplies and school-required materials to get back into the mindset of learning while teachers implement “plans of attack” to best equip their students to accomplish these learning goals. The new material these students will need to learn can be challenging and sometimes frustrating for the student, but effective teachers instill a mindset of confidence and perseverance, encouraging their students to be more focused and disciplined in their study habits, leading to more maturity and knowledge within the student. The teachers themselves must prepare diligently, founded on their training and experience, to be effective.

The apostle Paul was not a teacher by trade; prior to his conversion, Saul was a persecutor of Christians, a zealot loyal to Jewish faith and practices. Thus, it is all the more remarkable that God made Paul his “chosen instrument” to carry the name of Jesus to all people (Acts 9:15). Paul was a very learned, intellectual man, but to have knowledge and to teach knowledge are two separate things. Yet, Paul knew not to teach the people God appointed him to teach with complex vocabulary or verbose speeches. Paul tells the Corinthians (and to us) that his message and teaching is “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that [their] faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Paul, with no prior teaching experience, relied on the power of God to equip him to be a professor (in its truest sense) of God’s Word, so that those who heard would not be amazed by Paul’s methodology, but by God’s sovereignty. Paul reiterates, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Corinthians 1:17).

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” [italics added]. As followers of Christ, called to teach everything that Jesus has commanded us, let us gird ourselves with the sword of the Spirit. Moreover, through prayer and reflection, let us ask the Spirit, who dwells in us, to equip and empower us to proclaim that message boldly, unambiguously, and effectively. Recognizing that it is the Holy Spirit alone who fuels us for this calling unlocks the “secret wisdom” God has for us, drawing both teacher and student closer to their omniscient Maker.

Prayer: Lord, may we revere You in all things. Help us to see that by knowing You wholly and truly first and foremost, You unlock the wonders of Your majesty and Your secret wisdom for us, Your children. In You we put our trust and hope, AMEN!

Shaun Rajan (Long Island MTC, Merrick, NY)



Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more