September is often a time when we think about education, with children and young people starting new schools or classes or older teenagers starting university or college or work. As we consider education of the younger generation I wonder if we have the same appetite to learn? They say ‘life is a rich learning experience’, which of course is true but as we get older we often see that as a learning more by accident in the events of life rather than intentionally wanting to learn.
An excuse to education is often reflected in the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, but I wonder if you heard for the first time direct from Jesus’ mouth his many teachings, would you say to him, sorry Jesus I am past teaching now at my age or I know enough to get me by, I guess not.
So how teachable are you and if you are not, how can we possibly teach others about Jesus through our words and example? Jesus said in the great Commission;
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Jesus calls us all to teach people, which of course can be through what we say and what we do and who we are, it’s not necessarily about getting them to come to a course to sit down and learn but of course it can be that as well.
The disciples asked Jesus to ‘teach us to pray’ which speaks volumes about the power of underpinning everything in prayer but it also raises the question what would/do you ask Jesus to teach you or are you that ‘old dog’ beyond learning? I want to encourage us all as we move into September to consider what we want to learn to develop our relationship with Jesus and our skills to teach others of his love for them.
Let us learn from each other and be prepared to teach each other.
Your friend and servant
Alan