Teach the Children

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,  ² To Timothy, my dear son:  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.  ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.-   II Timothy 1: 1-7

It is the time of year when our children are heading back to school at grammar schools, middle schools, charter schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.  I look at school and education through a number of different viewpoints.    First, I see education as a lifelong process.  A matter of fact,  I am taking a continuing education class online this fall even though I received my last degree decades ago.  Secondly, I see education through the eyes of two children who are teachers and through the eyes of  grandchildren who are in school.

I don’t know about you, but I give thanks for teachers in classrooms along the way that encouraged me, taught me, and believed in me.   While teachers have an important role in the education of our children, it is also important to remember the vital role that family has in the education of our children.   In the passage found above,  Paul notes the important role that Lois and Eunice had in the spiritual education of Timothy.   As someone once said many years, sometimes we learn not by what we have been taught, but what we have caught through the people that we are around.     Timothy learned faith not just through what he heard from a religious  leader, but what he absorbed in his home and family.   What are the children in your life and family learning about faith through your example?   Have a great and joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, we pray for those who are students, teachers, and school students in schools here and everywhere.   We pray for their safety, and for wisdom and compassion.  Lord, help us be mindful that all of us  teach through what we say and do;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.