School Has Started Again!
Most folks my age and older remember when school never started until after Labor Day. Our “summer vacation from school” usually began around mid-May and lasted that long! Of course, we never had a “fall break.” From the first of the school year, we usually had one “long weekend” because of “teacher conferences” or “parent/teacher conferences”, but any extended break had to wait until November for Thanksgiving time. Then we returned until close to December 25. If that day arrived on a Monday, we usually got a full week off through January 1. Occasionally, that day would fall on a Friday and that gave us a couple of extra days. We never had “spring break” either. That time off came around “Easter” and seldom lasted more than a three-day break. Nowadays schools begin in early August and though they seemingly get more “break time” than us “earlier generation” folks, they still attend 180 days of academic enhancement.
By now, nearly every school system in the nation, public, chartered, and private, has returned to action and students are initially very energetic about the return. Most of these students will remain energetic with their studies, understanding the necessities of gaining knowledge. Even in the younger grade levels, students realize the necessity of learning and are eager to advance their skills once they master the basic levels of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Technological advancements in education are utilized as early as first and second grades, sometimes even kindergarten, and have enhanced the learning of these younger minds.
Therefore, as the student reaches middle school and eventually high school, the difficulties of more advanced studies increase. Teachers must become more diligent in preparing lessons that challenge their students to search more diligently for answers, and expand their minds with enlarged reasoning capabilities, while continually stirring their minds by way of remembrance. Once such students graduate from high school, some will find employment in various occupational areas, while others will pursue advanced education for various areas of employment requiring a more diligent focus on some more skilled level.
Our learning of God’s word is no less critical to our continued service within His kingdom! The text remains the same from the very beginning of our learning of God’s word to the end of our lives! Peter tells us, “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3) The Bible is all we need to learn and all we can ever authoritatively know of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, and all other things pertaining to life and godliness! But as with any textbook, it is only beneficial when the student reads, learns, and obeys its content!
Teachers are needed in this process (Acts 8:26 – 40). But even teachers had to learn before they could teach others (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2 et al). And should these teachers “practice what they preach/teach,” their continued education in the reading, studying, learning, and obeying of God’s word will continue throughout their lifetime (Revelation 2:10; 14:13). No one ever grows too old to learn! Therefore, no one ever “ages out” of needing God’s word dwelling in their heart richly in all wisdom! (Colossians 3:16)
It amazes me to note how many souls I encounter in just a week’s time that arrogantly display an attitude of “I don’t need that” regarding bible study! Even a casual observer can detect the truly interested from the uninterested. Just as in any school classroom, it doesn’t require a seasoned veteran teacher to determine who wants to succeed in learning and who is occupying a seat just because someone told them they needed to be in attendance! (Therein is the difference between “student” and “pupil” visually defined!) At school, students are expected to have done their homework and come to class prepared to discuss the subject at hand; thus, proving their understanding and ability to apply what they’ve learned. It should not be any different with the students of God’s word!
The apostle Paul asked, “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20) Would he have asked for such men had he and others been UNprepared to prove their learned understanding of God and His word? Further, do we today think we are any less challenged to defend the truth of God? The real question is, “Are we able to defend the truth?” If the answer is, “I don’t know,” or “I doubt it,” or “No,” who can you blame but yourself? Now notice 2 Corinthians 13:5. The examination is daily. Are you passing the grade?
Pleasing God is not optional! Just as the best students want to do their best, we children of God need to do our best in pleasing Him! Being dilatory in learning what His words say and why will not avail ourselves to His love and favor. Let’s be diligent in our study, learning, and obeying Him in all He teaches us!