May. 31, 2009 - And What About Me?
I would like to write a p.s. to yesterday’s post. I finished it with the following verse:
“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)
This verse should be a strong exhortation to parents to choose very carefully those who will teach their children. It is essential that we choose teachers whose lives exemplify the kind of people we want our children to become, because this verse promises that they will become like their teachers.
This is true whether we entrust the education of our children to some other teacher, or whether we take on that task ourselves. Choosing to teach one’s own children does not make this verse any easier. If I am to be my children’s teacher, then I must be the kind of person I want my children to become. This is a hard question to ask oneself. Am I the kind of person I want my children to become?
Too often the answer is no. But with the exhortation of Luke 6, I continually check myself - my attitudes, my character, my heart – to see if I am falling short, and when I am, because often I am, I take it to the Lord to change me and make me into the kind of person He wants me to be – the kind of person He wants my children to become.
Scripture is clear about the importance God places on those who teach. In Matthew 18:6 Jesus said this: “…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Further, James wrote: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
Does this sound daunting? It should. God clearly understands the importance of the teacher in the lives of his or her students. But the enormity of the task should not dissuade us from what God has called us to do. For where He has called us, He will provide what we need to obey. James goes on to say, “For we all stumble in many ways.” (1:2) None of us are perfect. Perfection is not required. James outlines many ways in which we all stumble and fall in our walk. Then he gives the secret to getting back on track, “Submit therefore to God….Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (4:7-8) None of us are perfect. But if your children have a teacher whose goal is to be like Christ, and who admits her failings while turning again to God, then your children are in good hands.
This is about far more than our children’s academic education, though that is certainly part of the parcel. This is about their hearts, about who they will become as they mature. Will they be like Christ because their teacher strove to be like Him? Or will they follow in the ways of the world because that’s the way they were led? If I were to list all the reasons I am not a good teacher for my children the list would take many pages. However, God has given these children to me and has called me to raise them and educate them for His glory. Therefore I trust Him to be my strength and to make me the teacher they need as I obey Him in this calling.
Yes, it is a daunting task. But Paul said it best in Philipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.” He who has called you will equip you to the task.
Comments
May. 31, 2009 - Blog Award
Posted by lexi
I'm giving you a blog award! Head over to my blog to pick it up!
www.homeschoolblogger.com/lexi
