Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:9
Shortly before His Ascension into heaven, Jesus gave His disciples, His students, what is called “The Great Commission”: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) After the Great Commission, these men are referred to as “Apostles”. Now, the word “Apostle” comes from the Greek word “Apostello” we means “to send out.” Notice what He sent them out to do. He sent them out to “make disciples,” to baptize and to teach.
It was necessary for these men to be “disciples” before becoming “apostles.” Just like every teacher must first be a student. Just like every leader must first master being a follower. We are all called to be students of the faith. However, our call does not end here. It is not the intention of students to remain students forever (well, I guess there are a few people who never want to leave college). The intention of the student is to learn and then put what has been learned into practice into a vocation. As Christians, we are called to be students of the faith, but we are also called to a ministry of teaching the faith to others. Thus, we must learn enough so that we can teach others.
And who are we supposed to teach? Well, for those who have children, first it is your children who you must teach, in order to perpetuate the faith in them. A school will teach your children the basics of reading, writing and math but it is up to us, the parents, to bolster what has been learned at home. Similarly, a church may have a Sunday school or a youth group but the parents still have the primary job of teaching the faith. That’s because the faith is something that is learned on a daily basis, not on only 30-odd Sundays a year when Sunday school is in session. Before a child is even old enough for Sunday school, learning about the faith should have already begun in the home.
While graduating from college may mark the end of formal education, it does not mark the end of learning. For the truly good student will continue learning throughout his or her life. The dedicated Christian will also continue learning throughout life. So, because there are “students” of all ages learning the Christian faith, there needs to be teachers all ages teaching it. Whether we know it or not, whether we do it consciously or not, we all teach one another about the faith. When I’m in a restaurant and I see people I don’t know bow their heads around the table to pray, I’m learning that is it okay to pray in public and it inspires me to do the same. When I see someone wearing a cross and using foul language, I learn that I must be cognizant of my Christian witness. There is teaching through example, teaching through encouragement and teaching by imparting knowledge and we are all called to share in all three ways.
Being students and teachers of Christianity are lifelong ministries for all of us.
Lord, please bless all teachers. Bless those who teach in schools, bless parents who teach in homes, bless all those who teach in parishes, and bless all those who teach by example, promoting the Christian faith. Help me, Lord, to be an example of good Christian behavior, so that others may be inspired by my Christian witness. Please help me have the discipline to continue learning about my faith and the desire to teach the faith as well. Amen.
Teach your Christianity by example today!
