IF WE TALK THE TALK, LET’S WALK THE WALK!
Children learn from both hearing and seeing. They often mimic what they see. To truly teach the Word of God we need it to become a living part of who we are. For this to happen we need more time in God’s Word than just our teaching preparation. We need to intimately connect with God through His Word as often as we can.
The Bible is an amazingly powerful tool. It’s life changing. It says in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Net Bible) “You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know . . . the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.”
Believing the sacred writings, makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” so also we must believe that it is the Scriptures themselves which will teach us, reprove us, correct us, and train us in righteousness so that we might be equipped for this good work of teaching our children. As we seek an intimate relationship with Him through His Word, He will change us. And, like Timothy, we too must continue in the things we have learned and are confident about asking the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth that we might live and teach the text fully in accordance with His will.
If we talk the talk, we need to walk the walk! God holds teachers more accountable! James 3:1 (Net Bible) “Not many of you should become teachers … because you know that we will be judged more strictly.” Those God calls to teach, He invites into a deep intimate knowledge of Himself. He longs to have a major impact on our lives daily so that He might have a major impact on their lives weekly. It is only in truly knowing and trusting Him that we will be free to let the Spirit teach through us. Children are not just listening to us; they are watching to see if we really believe what we say. They’re in search of a truth that they can live. If we can’t live what we teach how can we expect it of them?
Suzi Ciliberti
Suzi Ciliberti works for Christar, a Missions Agency that plants churches among least-reached Asians worldwide. She served in Japan for two years as a single missionary and another nine with her husband and two children, then the family returned to the states. She and her husband have been serving in the US Mobilization Center since 2000. As a part of the Member Care Department, Suzi is consultant to families with children. She has been working as a children’s teacher since she was 17 and began her training under Child Evangelism Fellowship. She has taught in the church, as a school teacher for two years in a Christian elementary school, and as a speaker for adults training to work with children. She has also trained children, who are a part of families that work overseas, in their identity in Christ. She brings 44 years of teaching experience to her work. She loves creative writing as well as teaching and has found great fulfillment in combining the two as she blogs for Heartprints. She finds it a great privilege and joy to serve the Lord and His people. One of her favorite verses is Deuteronomy 4:10b, "Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children."
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