“You then, my
child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and
what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2
Timothy 2:1-2
Sunday
School. From my childhood and growing up I have been a part of Sunday School,
but it has baffled me. It is not “school” in the sense of sitting in a class
and studying to get a grade. I have never been sent to detention for Sunday
School, though I have had friends who should have been sent there. We all went
to school five days a week, but I don’t believe anyone has ever spoken of that
sixth day of school and how rough it is. Most everyone I have known has enjoyed
this Sunday morning time of reflection and study of God’s Word.
Speaking
of school, I know teachers who are passionate about teaching. They go above and
beyond to get their message of history, math, or science across to their
students. They can be creative and paint their picture so clearly that students
come out of that class inspired… well, at least they didn’t fall asleep. The
teacher made the message important, so they listened and took in the knowledge
being passed down. Many teachers today can point to a teacher in their past who
was passionate about a subject and influenced them to become a teacher as well.
The flame was passed on to the next generation and the lesson goes on. I have a
Bachelors Degree in English thanks to three teachers in my past. Mrs.
Noffsinger was my drama teacher and taught me how to look at the words and
interpret them how the author truly wanted. Mrs. Hudson inspired me to write,
to share what is within me with the world. Mrs. Smith was my speech coach and
pushed me to relay my message to the point that every person could understand.
All were English teachers; all three impacted my life to where I wanted to pass
along that same inspiration. Though I did not go into the teaching profession
in public schools, I have taught in private schools and worked with plays and
speech teams over the years.
How many Sunday School teachers have
shared that same inspiration? How many have been so passionate that they had to
share the message within the Bible pages or felt like they would burst if they
didn’t? I have had great Sunday School teachers in my years growing up and
served along side some excellent teachers as a minister, but I
have only seen a few teach as if it were their life’s greatest ambition, as if the
next generation depended on it.
When
Paul speaks to Timothy in this last letter to him, Paul knows he is at his
journey’s end. Over in chapter four, Paul speaks of how he is already being
poured out as a drink offering and the time of his departure has now come. This
is a picture of how he will die. He was a citizen of Rome. With that he would
have earned the respect enough to die quickly. Men were beheaded, and then hung
up side down so that the lifeblood drained from the body. This is the “poured
out” picture Paul paints that is his future, but this is a double illustration.
He is pouring himself into Timothy. All of his knowledge and teachings he has
shared are going to his legacy, a young man as passionate about sharing the
good news as he is.
This
is the passion a teacher needs. “You have heard from me, now entrust this to
many men who can turn around and teach others.” Paul’s legacy would not die
with himself or even with Timothy, because Timothy carried on the tradition of
telling others. Our legacy is to passionately dig into these biblical truths,
hide them within our heart, and share them with so many others who need to hear
the gospel.
"Come
now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are
like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
Isaiah
1:18 NIV
As Christian teachers in Sunday
School or small groups, we are responsible for sharing the good news with
understanding, using creative methods. Jesus used creative methods to share the
good news. He spoke with parables, or familiar stories that the local person
could understand. In other words, Jesus was culturally relevant to those He
spoke with. Paul understood this when he said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all
possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22b)
The point to all of this simply
comes down to those teaching others in a small group/Sunday School setting must
stretch our minds to grasp more of the Gospel, to turn around and share that
good news and excitement with others, that they may pass it forward as well.
The legacy of Bible teaching must and shall move forward until the Lord returns
for His children. So, dig into the Word of God and fall madly in love with the
Maker of the universe. Let Him speak to you through the Bible, through prayer
and fasting. Then share that goodness with others that they, too, may share in
the goodness of the Lord.
