Before You Teach

Chuck on March 4th, 2010

I’m sitting here in a coffee shop overhearing two seminary students debate theology, talk about Aristotle theory, discussing papers they’ve written and theological ideas they’ve had.  Stimulating to the mind, for sure.  I’ve been there myself.  But I don’t think this is what we need more of today in college ministry or in the Church in general.

Sure, we ought to engage the minds of college age people.  But before you teach next, think about how to do that best.  Is it really by giving new information and ideas?  I ask you to rethink this, if so.  People aren’t bored because they don’t have more information. They’re bored because they’re not living out what they already know.

I’d encourage you push people toward deeper commitment to what they already know.  Before you teach again, rather than seeking to engage people by causing intellectual gymnastics over information, consider how you might stimulate and challenge people’s mind with deep commitment to what they already know.

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Share Discuss (1)

Dale at 11:52pm March 19

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”