Jostling....

Jostling.....

I once heard a story of an older woman riding  for 13  hours in a bus, to attend a convention on how to  better teach Sunday school to boys...she brought her own lunch as her funds were low...sat through the sessions on teaching effectively ...then rode the bus home to her little town so that she could be there for Sunday school the next morning....she had a small class of junior high boys, no high tech,, just a flannel board with a few pieces of felt to illustrate some stories , no extra books, worksheets, "just" her well worn Bible. in a small town church ....

Later, when asked who influenced his life the most, a famous Biblical scholar, replied  that this woman, whose faithfulness to these boys, the Word simply taught, were the most influencing factors of his future success...Out of this one Sunday school class came several Biblical leaders of that time, all of whom credited this woman with her faithfulness, courage to stay the course of teaching Sunday school to groups of jostling, wiggling, active junior boys...

There must be rewards for faithfulness like that....preschool teachers, elementary teachers, junior high teachers, high school teachers, adult teachers, parents, pastors.....following that higher calling....of teaching, mentoring, encouraging...year after year, decade after decade, teaching life, walking life......faithfully.

Thank YOU for faithful teachers...those You have prepared to go that extra mile of teaching formal or informal....those who have touched our lives....those who we are touching....help each to maintain the integrity of Your word....

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
John 14:23 NIV

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

1 Peter 5:2-4New International Version (NIV)
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.