Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Educators for Christ
Colossians 1:24-29
Anissa Kurian
28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching
everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
With the advent of the new school season upon us, education is a foremost thought on the minds of families with children. The call to be a teacher in this day and age is a challenging yet glorious undertaking, with a prime benefit being the ability to pass on information to our younger generations, and ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are equipped with knowledge of today.
But teachers are not only found in classrooms or lecture halls. To be a Christian educator is to accept the call of 1 Corinthians 12:28, which demonstrate that the gift to teach is divinely inspired. No certification, college credits, or classroom experience required, just an acceptance from God, and an opportunity to impart information to others.
What is it that we, the divinely inspired teachers, are to teach? And to whom? Where’s the lesson plan? And what if we have no idea how to go about teaching? In chapter 1 of the letter to the Church of Colosse, Paul ponders this question and addresses it in verse 28:
28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Consider this verse as our heavenly lesson plan: As educators, our goal is to proclaim Jesus Christ. We admonish, or reprimand, as necessary, since discipline goes hand in hand with a firm educational foundation.
“Teaching everyone with all wisdom,” defines the means by which we educate others about Jesus - with wisdom, which, according to Ephesians 1:17, is a gift of the Holy Spirit that must be prayed for. As for whom we are teaching to, well, it is not limited to a certain number, but is defined as everyone! As in, every individual you meet, pass on the street, share your meals with, everyone.
Yes, this sounds like a tremendous undertaking: educating the entire world about Jesus Christ with wisdom and fortitude. Keep in mind: the journey of a teacher starts with the ability to educate just one person, even if that person is you. However, this lesson plan is not yet complete; what is the assessment? How do we know that we are on the right path to fulfilling God’s plan?
We are called to, “present everyone fully mature in Christ.” This, therefore, is the desired outcome of the education we are called to impart- not just to bring ourselves and others to Christ, but to make sure the journey ends with a fully mature Christian.
Like children who enter Kindergarten learning how to spell and leave 12th grade with full mastery of language, we should also strive to educate about Jesus with the intention of making a lasting, long term, and committed relationship that, like the professional teachers of today, should aim to change the world of tomorrow.
With the advent of the new school season upon us, education is a foremost thought on the minds of families with children. The call to be a teacher in this day and age is a challenging yet glorious undertaking, with a prime benefit being the ability to pass on information to our younger generations, and ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are equipped with knowledge of today.
But teachers are not only found in classrooms or lecture halls. To be a Christian educator is to accept the call of 1 Corinthians 12:28, which demonstrate that the gift to teach is divinely inspired. No certification, college credits, or classroom experience required, just an acceptance from God, and an opportunity to impart information to others.
What is it that we, the divinely inspired teachers, are to teach? And to whom? Where’s the lesson plan? And what if we have no idea how to go about teaching? In chapter 1 of the letter to the Church of Colosse, Paul ponders this question and addresses it in verse 28:
28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Consider this verse as our heavenly lesson plan: As educators, our goal is to proclaim Jesus Christ. We admonish, or reprimand, as necessary, since discipline goes hand in hand with a firm educational foundation.
“Teaching everyone with all wisdom,” defines the means by which we educate others about Jesus - with wisdom, which, according to Ephesians 1:17, is a gift of the Holy Spirit that must be prayed for. As for whom we are teaching to, well, it is not limited to a certain number, but is defined as everyone! As in, every individual you meet, pass on the street, share your meals with, everyone.
Yes, this sounds like a tremendous undertaking: educating the entire world about Jesus Christ with wisdom and fortitude. Keep in mind: the journey of a teacher starts with the ability to educate just one person, even if that person is you. However, this lesson plan is not yet complete; what is the assessment? How do we know that we are on the right path to fulfilling God’s plan?
We are called to, “present everyone fully mature in Christ.” This, therefore, is the desired outcome of the education we are called to impart- not just to bring ourselves and others to Christ, but to make sure the journey ends with a fully mature Christian.
Like children who enter Kindergarten learning how to spell and leave 12th grade with full mastery of language, we should also strive to educate about Jesus with the intention of making a lasting, long term, and committed relationship that, like the professional teachers of today, should aim to change the world of tomorrow.
Prayer: Lord
God, please help us accept our role as Educators for You. Give us the
wisdom to teach and admonish appropriately, for the glory of Your name and Your
Kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Thought for the
day: A
teacher affects eternity; they can never tell when their influence stops.
~Henry Brooks Adams