September 11 Read Jeremiah 9:14
… but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts, and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them.
It would be unfair of me to paint all teachers as good, saintly people. That's just not the case. While I am sure that your teachers are wonderful people, not all people in all lands have this luxury. Teachers can also teach you wrong things -- bad things. Such was the case on another September 11, just a few short years ago, when some "teachers" told men that hijacking planes and crashing into skyscrapers in New York and government buildings in Washington, D.C., would bring wonderful rewards for them in the next life (paradise). And we all know the tragedy that ensued.
In this scripture, fathers were telling children to worship false gods and do things that did not please God. They did not worship God, nor follow His laws, and for this they were punished and suffered.
God has given you the ability to think for yourself, and if you ask Him for help, He will guide you in making wise choices. You may encounter teachers who tell you things that you know just are not right… not all teachers will be Spirit-filled Christians who follow the Bible's teachings. Not all teachers have the same political beliefs -- or moral beliefs -- as you.
You must listen to your teachers and respect them. But, on issues of morality, politics, and spirituality, you must listen to God and follow His lead. If you please God and follow His commandments, your teachers will respect your decisions.
September 12 Read Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Bet you didn't know that YOU are a teacher, too, did you? Jesus has commanded each one of us to go and teach others about Him. That makes us teachers! So you see, there is a calling on your life, too. You may not teach math or science or P.E., but you can share the love of Christ with someone else. You can teach others about your Jesus and His ways.
Knowing that YOU are also a teacher, how does that make you feel? Does it change your attitude toward teachers? Does it give you a sense of responsibility and obligation to behave in a certain way, perhaps to behave better and more responsibly? Are you fulfilling your Commission from Jesus? Are you teaching, and are you doing a good job of it? Ask God for guidance, for strength and courage, and for opportunities to tell others about His love. C'mon, teacher, let's get going!
September 13 Read Titus 2:1-3
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things…
Have you ever stopped to think that your parents and your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, and maybe even your older brothers or sisters (if you have them) are teachers? They "show you the ropes" every day, don't they? How are they doing? Are they "sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, love and patience, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things?" Pray for your "teachers," -- ask God to give them the wisdom and the desire to be all of these things and to teach you well, so that they might always have your very best interest at heart.
Pray also that you will someday become a good teacher to others… living a life that glorifies God, that you might be able to help others learn His ways and "the ropes," too!
September 14 Read 1 Corinthians 11:14
Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
How funny this scripture seems! Imagine the Bible saying that men should not have long hair! But let's not focus on that part of this sentence… let's focus on the first part… "does not even nature itself teach you…" Have you ever thought about what we learn from nature, and how God uses it as a teacher?
Think about this… have you ever watched a nest of eggs in your yard hatch into little birds, and then you watched the parents feed them and nurture them until they flew away? Or maybe your dog or cat had puppies or kittens, and you watched them be born. Or you might have a puppy or kitten you are caring for, and you are learning from them as you watch them grow, and you take responsibility for their feeding, watering, and general care.
What about storms or natural disasters… do you learn about protection, about shelter, about watching the weather for signs of change? What about when you lost your baby teeth and grew new ones… or when you hurt yourself and get a cut or scrape, and over time, the wound heals, and new skin grows to cover the damage.
Nature is all around us, and we learn from it every day. It is one of the wonderful, miraculous ways that God uses His own creations to teach us what we need to know. Give Him a praise for being so awesome!
September 15 Read Galatians 6:6
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
The Living Bible says that "he who is taught the Word of God should pay his teacher!" So, does that mean you should bring money and pay your Sunday School teacher each Sunday? I don't think so. I think what this means is that you should give your teachers your respect, your appreciation. You should offer to help them when you can. If you see your teacher carrying a heavy load, offer to carry some of it. If you see your teacher picking up trash in the classroom, offer to help. Say "Thank you!" and mean it… appreciate all your teachers do for you.
There is one other really huge thing you can do to repay your teachers… and that is to PRAY for them. Ask God to give them wisdom, courage, protection, to keep them safe and healthy and prosperous. If your teachers are thriving, you will get the benefits and the blessings. God will love it if you pray for your teachers, and He will bless both them AND you!
September 16 Read Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
God wants us to get together for worship. He wants us to lift each other up in prayer and song, to cheer, encourage, and love each other publicly. He wants us to come together to worship to live as an example to others of how to worship Him. And, He just likes having His children together, celebrating Him and His work in their lives.
So, make an effort to get to Sunday School and church. God will be pleased and glorified, and you will be blessed and be a blessing to others!
©2006 Debbie Robus
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