Teachers and Teaching

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Galatians 6:6

The subject, art and application of teaching seems to be ever-present in my life lately. Praise God that I’m married to a good one in Erica.

First, at Time to Revive as we have been preparing for reviveTX, it seems we have been teaching a lot. Constantly training our team on the latest happenings, walking alongside the local church teaching the believers how to go out into the community and love others, and talking to pastors and businesses about getting involved. There is a blend of both art and skill that seems to constantly change depending on the situation. The best teachers are able to adjust this ration on the fly based on their audience, reactions or simply gut feelings on how to present information. They hone their craft.

Second, we have been invited to share the Gospel in 29 elementary schools throughout Dallas/Fort Worth. I was able to go to one school and share the Gospel with 50 elementary students and 11 said “yes” to allowing Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. It happened primarily because there were a group of volunteers and teachers who dedicated themselves to their craft - the craft of teaching. 

Being in an elementary school brings back a world of environmental memories about my time then. We won’t revisit those memories but it does create an awareness of all the learning that is happening around us even though we are not in school any more.

Erica was invited to go on a similar assignment to another elementary school. These students didn’t have the best learning environment and thus they were not set up for the same kind of success I experienced when I went. The dedication to their craft was not as important.

Finally, as new parents, we are living the life of teachers to Nicole. She is a sponge for learning and it seems like whatever we say, she says. Whatever we do she does. 

Erica has recently started potty training Nicole and this seems like a learning that we have never embarked on before. (Really we probably have with walking and crawling and eating regular food and sleep training). But, every new teaching opportunity seems like a mountain which has never been conquered

Here’s the cool thing to observe; Erica is a gifted teacher and while she does not teach in a public school any more, she still cares deeply about her craft and the delivery of her “lesson.” You should see the way she is constantly adjusting to the changing variables of each task and finds new and more effective ways to teach Nicole the same things. All I can say is that I am lucky to be lead by her in this! 

Nicole reads as much as she does because  Erica takes the time to teach her. Nicole has as many words as she does because Erica takes the time to teach her. Nicole greets people like she does because Erica takes the time to teach her. I know how to do all these things with Nicole because Erica takes the time to teach ME!

I have been taught and I try to share all good things with Erica. 

Galatians chapter 6, verse 6 says that if you have been taught by someone, share something good with them. Maybe a kind word, a cup of coffee or a nice email. Chapter six goes on to basically say you reap what you sow. Someone sowed into you. Are you sowing into someone else? Erica is. I’m working on it. Nicole - well I can’t wait to see!