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You can never really know someone until you understand what motivates them. The Bible reveals: "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart" (Ps. 44:21). Because you cannot see into my heart as God can, I have shared a few quotes here that I desire to be a reflection of who I am. I aim for the prize, having not yet attained, but continue to allow God to mold me for His greater glory. In a perfect world...
Most Important
I am a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, and I take my Christianity seriously. It is important for me to make this declaration right here, at the beginning, because if you want to understand me, you must understand what motivates me. Jesus died that I might live. For this cause: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). My desire to serve the Lord is echoed in the words of Isaiah: "Here I am; send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
The Importance of Education
If you go to the link above entitled About Me, you will discover I have a desire to teach young people the good news found in God's word, the Bible. The only way to be successful as a teacher, or in any other line of work for that matter, is to follow the wise counsel given to us by God through the Holy Spirit. Below are a few relevant quotes that nicely explain my philosophy when it comes to teaching. Please consider:
"Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come" (Education, p. 13). |
"Teaching means much more than many suppose. It requires great skill to make the truth understood. For this reason every teacher should strive to have an increased knowledge of spiritual truth, but he cannot gain this knowledge while divorcing himself from the word of God. If he would have his powers and capabilities daily improved he must study; he must eat and digest the word, and work in Christ’s lines. The soul that is nourished by the bread of life will have every faculty vitalized by the Spirit of God. This is the meat which endureth unto everlasting life" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 153).
"Teachers must understand what lessons to impart, or they cannot prepare students to be transferred to the higher grade. They must study Christ’s lessons and the character of His teaching. They must see its freedom from formalism and tradition, and appreciate the originality, the authority, the spirituality, the tenderness, the benevolence, and the practicability of His teaching. Those who make the word of God their study, those who dig for the treasures of truth, will themselves become imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and by beholding they will become changed into His likeness. Those who appreciate the word will teach as disciples who have been sitting at the feet of Jesus and have accustomed themselves to learn of Him. In the place of bringing into our schools books containing the suppositions of the world’s great authors, they will say: Tempt me not to disregard the greatest Author and the greatest Teacher, through whom I have everlasting life. He never mistakes. He is the great Fountain head whence all wisdom flows. Then let every teacher sow the seed of truth in the minds of students. Christ is the standard Teacher" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 160).
"The word of the eternal God is our guide. Through this word we have been made wise unto salvation. This word is ever to be in our hearts and on our lips. “It is written” is to be our anchor. Those who make God’s word their counselor realize the weakness of the human heart and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 160).
"When you depend on the word of the living God with heart and mind and soul, the channel of communication will be unobstructed. Deep, earnest study of the word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will give you fresh manna, and the same Spirit will make its use effectual. The exertion made by the youth to discipline the mind for high and holy aspirations will be rewarded. Those who make persevering efforts in this direction, putting the mind to the task of comprehending God’s word, are prepared to be laborers together with God" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 163).
"Teachers must understand what lessons to impart, or they cannot prepare students to be transferred to the higher grade. They must study Christ’s lessons and the character of His teaching. They must see its freedom from formalism and tradition, and appreciate the originality, the authority, the spirituality, the tenderness, the benevolence, and the practicability of His teaching. Those who make the word of God their study, those who dig for the treasures of truth, will themselves become imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and by beholding they will become changed into His likeness. Those who appreciate the word will teach as disciples who have been sitting at the feet of Jesus and have accustomed themselves to learn of Him. In the place of bringing into our schools books containing the suppositions of the world’s great authors, they will say: Tempt me not to disregard the greatest Author and the greatest Teacher, through whom I have everlasting life. He never mistakes. He is the great Fountain head whence all wisdom flows. Then let every teacher sow the seed of truth in the minds of students. Christ is the standard Teacher" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 160).
"The word of the eternal God is our guide. Through this word we have been made wise unto salvation. This word is ever to be in our hearts and on our lips. “It is written” is to be our anchor. Those who make God’s word their counselor realize the weakness of the human heart and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 160).
"When you depend on the word of the living God with heart and mind and soul, the channel of communication will be unobstructed. Deep, earnest study of the word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will give you fresh manna, and the same Spirit will make its use effectual. The exertion made by the youth to discipline the mind for high and holy aspirations will be rewarded. Those who make persevering efforts in this direction, putting the mind to the task of comprehending God’s word, are prepared to be laborers together with God" (Testimonies For the Church, vol. 6, p. 163).
Why Teach?
I believe we are at a turning point in this world’s history. I believe the Seventh-day Adventist movement was set up by God to sound the warning that heaven's long-suffering with this world's sin problem is almost at an end. When probation closes, all that will matter is how many people accepted the warning call. Then, internal bickering will be seen for what it is, a distraction of Satan, and the effort put forth by Godly men and women to train the youth for this time will shine for all eternity. This is when teachers, just as God’s earlier heroes, will receive their most lasting reward—the souls won through submission and cooperation with the Savior.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).