I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck’ For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Ps 75:4-6 (NKJV)
Many of us associate promotion with getting on ahead in life; moving on and up to a larger responsibility and presumably a bigger pay package. For the self-employed, promotion comes about by being successful in one's business and being able to extend or expand one's enterprise. Now the way we get 'promoted' in life is important. Some of us claw our way to the top by back-stabbing others and leaving a trail of unhappy people along the way. Such people are usually the self-conceited ones whom the psalmist described above. We need to be wary of people with such an arrogant attitude - they think too highly of themselves, bull-dozing their way in life. They may get their way for a season but eventually God will put them down.
In God's economy of things, He chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27-28). God chose the way of the cross to display His beloved Son to the world, hung between heaven and earth. This is indeed foolish to the Gentiles - a dying God on the cross who is unable to save Himself - very weak indeed! But Paul proclaims that this is precisely the power and wisdom of God made manifest (1 Cor 1:22-24). If we ever want to be exalted in God's kingdom, we need to humble ourselves by accepting the free gift of grace offered at the cross of Calvary. We do this by inviting Christ to come into our hearts through prayer. Those who have done so and have passed on in this life has been said to be promoted to glory. I think that's the kind of promotion we should look forward to - one that would last for all eternity.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Parenting Styles
Tim Elmore, a parenting expert, mentioned four parenting styles:
1. Helicopter Parents: hover over kids to ensure they get every imaginable advantage. They can be too protective over their children that they don't allow them the privilege of learning to fail and persevere. Such parents would also likely create tensions in school where the education of their children are concerned; finding fault with everyone else except themselves. The issue with this parenting style is the controlling spirit. The anti-dote is to let go and learn to trust kids more with freedom and accountability.
2. Karaoke Parents: want to sound and look like thier kids to stay cool and hip. They perfer to be a buddy to their children rather than be an adult figure to them with the result that there are no clear boundaries that build security and esteem. Such parents would be too soft in handling kids' discipline. The issue with this parenting style is low emotional security, needing to be loved and liked. The anti-dote is to embrace one's own age and station in life; allow kids to relate with their peers and work to fulfill one's responsibility as a parent.
3. Dry Cleaner Parents: drop off for experts (school, church, sports coach) to make them right. They don't furnish children with the mentoring and authentic personal time required in raising them up. They are probably too busy with work or some other things. Such parents would usually leave school to handle their kids' problems, preferring a hands off approach. The issue with this parenting style is inadequacy; unable to handle them. The anti-dote is to build bridges with their children by making time to be with them.
4. Monster Parents: trying to fulfill unrealised dreams through their kids. They can transform into a rage when cornered due to an unhealthy past with unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. We sometimes read of parents turning into incredible Hulks and physically abusing their helpless children. Such parents can also put a lot of stress on their children. The issue with this parenting style is having a baggage in life. The anti-dote is to deal with it and don't pass it on.
We need to be engaged parents who spend time interacting with our children, setting appropriate boundaries for them and giving them the freedom to fail, and learn from it. Our emotions must also be managed and brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul reminds us in Col 3:21
"Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up." (CEV)
"Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." James Baldwin
1. Helicopter Parents: hover over kids to ensure they get every imaginable advantage. They can be too protective over their children that they don't allow them the privilege of learning to fail and persevere. Such parents would also likely create tensions in school where the education of their children are concerned; finding fault with everyone else except themselves. The issue with this parenting style is the controlling spirit. The anti-dote is to let go and learn to trust kids more with freedom and accountability.
2. Karaoke Parents: want to sound and look like thier kids to stay cool and hip. They perfer to be a buddy to their children rather than be an adult figure to them with the result that there are no clear boundaries that build security and esteem. Such parents would be too soft in handling kids' discipline. The issue with this parenting style is low emotional security, needing to be loved and liked. The anti-dote is to embrace one's own age and station in life; allow kids to relate with their peers and work to fulfill one's responsibility as a parent.
3. Dry Cleaner Parents: drop off for experts (school, church, sports coach) to make them right. They don't furnish children with the mentoring and authentic personal time required in raising them up. They are probably too busy with work or some other things. Such parents would usually leave school to handle their kids' problems, preferring a hands off approach. The issue with this parenting style is inadequacy; unable to handle them. The anti-dote is to build bridges with their children by making time to be with them.
4. Monster Parents: trying to fulfill unrealised dreams through their kids. They can transform into a rage when cornered due to an unhealthy past with unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. We sometimes read of parents turning into incredible Hulks and physically abusing their helpless children. Such parents can also put a lot of stress on their children. The issue with this parenting style is having a baggage in life. The anti-dote is to deal with it and don't pass it on.
We need to be engaged parents who spend time interacting with our children, setting appropriate boundaries for them and giving them the freedom to fail, and learn from it. Our emotions must also be managed and brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul reminds us in Col 3:21
"Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up." (CEV)
"Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." James Baldwin
Friday, October 26, 2012
Detoxification
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Cor 7:1 (NIV)
Recently my wife and I went for a full-body lymphatic drainage detox massage lasting an hour, which we signed up during an Expo sale promotion or similar to one that would be given to new credit card sign-ups. Prior to the massage by the therapists, our heights, weights and different girths of our body and limbs were taken. They used a machine, putting plates on our upper and lower limbs, to measure of our body fat, cellulite (for women) and the amount of calories burnt during resting phase (kind of like our metabolic rate). After the selection of relevant aroma oils to be used, the light touch massage commenced with our backs working from head to feet. The process is supposed to clear the body of toxins, reduce congestion and promote healing. Once the massage was over, they again measure girths of our body and limbs. The consultant will give us a summary of our results including BMI and the rest, and of course asked whether we would want to sign on a package with them, which we politely declined.
In the scripture verse quoted above, God has promised to be our Father if we separate ourselves from the evil influences of the world that contaminates our body and spirit. In the physical, God has created our bodies uniquely with a lymphatic system, which is our body’s first line of defense in fighting pain, inflammation and infection; detoxifying and moving metabolic waste and toxin out of the body. When the lymph nodes become blocked, fluids accumulate and cause the whole lymphatic system to become toxic, making us feel lethargic and more prone to illness. By stimulating this system through massage, the lymphatic system works more efficiently, which in turn boosts the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins, transports nutrients to cells and increases the metabolism. Just as the gentle massage techniques adopted by the therapist with the aroma oils on our bodies stimulate the detoxification process, so likewise we need to allow God to work in our spirit man, saturating us with His Holy Spirit so that we may be quickened to respond to His Word. One of the ways to do this is to pray in tongues, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us because He intercedes on our behalf according to God’s will (Rom 8:26-27). Another way is to read God’s Word daily, allowing it to saturate our being in order that we may praise God aright and instruct one another appropriately (Col 3:16). The evil influences will come through our five senses and that is why it’s so important to guard our hearts and minds by keeping ourselves aglow in the Spirit in order that we may not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness but instead expose them (Eph 5:11).
When you read the mass media, invariably there would be news of people committing crimes against humanity. Among them, sexual sins are featured as well as people flaunting their bodies online without a care in the world, with a view to titillate and entice people into sin. It is as if the spirits of lust have been released en masse by the devil, knowing that his days are limited. The apostle Paul warns us in 2 Tim 3:1-5
“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (NIV)
Unless we know how to detox our minds against the onslaught of evil, it is wise not to indulge our senses in such filth that are being portrayed in the online and printed media. Otherwise, spiritual bondage to sexual sins can only be broken through deliverance and counseling.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What kind of people ought you to be?
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." 2 Pet 3:10-12a (NIV)
In the One Singapore Conversation (OSC), one of the questions asked was: "What kind of society and what kind of people do we want to be? Living in a multi-racial society, we ought to be gracious and kind, according mutual respect and understanding to one another. And as citizens of heaven, we are exhorted to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving towards each other, just as God in Christ also forgave us (Eph 4:32). It is not easy to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. Our natural tendency is to return evil for evil - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Mt 8:38-41). In a society that is very much engaged in uploading information on the world wide web, an uncalled for remark or movie that denigrades others can certainly engender a lot of hatred, anger and violence. It takes great courage to temper our response with grace and mercy, recognising that we have our own imperfections. Neither do we want the perpetrators of uncalled for remarks or movies to get away scot free.
The reality, as found in the scripture quotation above, is that this earthly life of ours would not last forever. All of us would die physically one day whether we like it or not, unless the Lord returns to take us home. Our physical body will go back to the dust, most likely either through burial or cremation. Likewise, Peter prophesied that this earth will undergo cremation with intense heat when the day of the Lord arrives. That would be a terrible day when everything in sight would be completely destroyed as if like a nuclear holocaust. Fire, as symbolised in scriputre, is used to denote purging and refining (Mal 3:2-3). As believers, our motivation to live holy and godly lives should come from within as opposed to allowing it to come from without to chastise and refine us.
So what kind of people ought us to be? The apostle Paul gave us the answer:
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We ought to love and forgive one another - demonstrating God's unconditional love towards one another. By this Jesus said will all men know that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-35). That's what we have been called to be - holy - set apart for God's service.
In the One Singapore Conversation (OSC), one of the questions asked was: "What kind of society and what kind of people do we want to be? Living in a multi-racial society, we ought to be gracious and kind, according mutual respect and understanding to one another. And as citizens of heaven, we are exhorted to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving towards each other, just as God in Christ also forgave us (Eph 4:32). It is not easy to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. Our natural tendency is to return evil for evil - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Mt 8:38-41). In a society that is very much engaged in uploading information on the world wide web, an uncalled for remark or movie that denigrades others can certainly engender a lot of hatred, anger and violence. It takes great courage to temper our response with grace and mercy, recognising that we have our own imperfections. Neither do we want the perpetrators of uncalled for remarks or movies to get away scot free.
The reality, as found in the scripture quotation above, is that this earthly life of ours would not last forever. All of us would die physically one day whether we like it or not, unless the Lord returns to take us home. Our physical body will go back to the dust, most likely either through burial or cremation. Likewise, Peter prophesied that this earth will undergo cremation with intense heat when the day of the Lord arrives. That would be a terrible day when everything in sight would be completely destroyed as if like a nuclear holocaust. Fire, as symbolised in scriputre, is used to denote purging and refining (Mal 3:2-3). As believers, our motivation to live holy and godly lives should come from within as opposed to allowing it to come from without to chastise and refine us.
So what kind of people ought us to be? The apostle Paul gave us the answer:
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We ought to love and forgive one another - demonstrating God's unconditional love towards one another. By this Jesus said will all men know that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-35). That's what we have been called to be - holy - set apart for God's service.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Tuition
"The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." Lk 6:40 (NIV)
Tuition is defined as giving teaching or instruction for a fee. The lucrative tuition culture has spawn in many countries like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. This is in part due to the high-pressure cooker society children are being brought up in and the expectations parents have on their kids. Many children would have at one point in time received tuition for academic subjects they study in schools. Because of the one-to-one or small group dynamics that operate in a tuition set-up, children receiving tuition under such circumstances usually show great improvement. I myself have also received tuition in my secondary school days for second language (parents didn't speak Chinese), which I managed to pass at O levels. I also gave tuition when I started working - to primary kids and then A level students. Many of the A level students that I taught improved on their performance at the national exams. My own children also received tuition for Chinese before their PSLE, with one of them having Math coaching as well. They did well enough in their PSLE to proceed to the secondary school they wanted.
As can be seen, there's value in tuition but it comes at price, depending on the experience of the tutor hired. The tutor who has the necessary knowledge and know-how to impart important skills to his/her charges would usually command a premium. The scripture verse quoted above tells us that the knowledge and skill sets of the students would not rise above that of the teacher. A mediocre teacher would produce students with mediocre results; likewise, an excellent teacher would have the potential to produce students with excellent results. I want to say that if a child has the right attitude to learn in school then there is absolutely no necessity for him/her to be given tuition. The teachers in schools are the best resource persons to consult when children have doubts or difficulties over their work. Many teachers will go the extra mile to help their students if they see the children have a positive attitude towards learning and improving. Once students have passed certain exams, they moved on to the next level, being taught by another group of teachers who can take them further in their cognitive development.
In the pursuit of academic excellence, we must not forget to impart to our children important values like self-discipline, resilience and hard work. Self-discipline is needed to enable them to prioritise their activities in life. For example, those that are not so important can wait or be relegated to the last on the list. When they don't do so well for certain test or assignment, they need the resilience to bounce back, learning from their mistakes or failures. They also need to learn that success does not come on a silver platter; it requires hard work and effort. My children are no longer receiving tuition; they have begun to rely on their school teachers by making appointment to clarify their doubts. This too is an important social skill they have to pick up along the way. Where Chinese is concerned, my wife would be in a position to help them. What's more they are also immersed in a Chinese culture through attendance at Mandarin services and oikos meetings. I would also play my paternal role to help them in Math or Humanities-related subjects. By God's grace, they are not doing badly in their academic work.
Tuition is defined as giving teaching or instruction for a fee. The lucrative tuition culture has spawn in many countries like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. This is in part due to the high-pressure cooker society children are being brought up in and the expectations parents have on their kids. Many children would have at one point in time received tuition for academic subjects they study in schools. Because of the one-to-one or small group dynamics that operate in a tuition set-up, children receiving tuition under such circumstances usually show great improvement. I myself have also received tuition in my secondary school days for second language (parents didn't speak Chinese), which I managed to pass at O levels. I also gave tuition when I started working - to primary kids and then A level students. Many of the A level students that I taught improved on their performance at the national exams. My own children also received tuition for Chinese before their PSLE, with one of them having Math coaching as well. They did well enough in their PSLE to proceed to the secondary school they wanted.
As can be seen, there's value in tuition but it comes at price, depending on the experience of the tutor hired. The tutor who has the necessary knowledge and know-how to impart important skills to his/her charges would usually command a premium. The scripture verse quoted above tells us that the knowledge and skill sets of the students would not rise above that of the teacher. A mediocre teacher would produce students with mediocre results; likewise, an excellent teacher would have the potential to produce students with excellent results. I want to say that if a child has the right attitude to learn in school then there is absolutely no necessity for him/her to be given tuition. The teachers in schools are the best resource persons to consult when children have doubts or difficulties over their work. Many teachers will go the extra mile to help their students if they see the children have a positive attitude towards learning and improving. Once students have passed certain exams, they moved on to the next level, being taught by another group of teachers who can take them further in their cognitive development.
In the pursuit of academic excellence, we must not forget to impart to our children important values like self-discipline, resilience and hard work. Self-discipline is needed to enable them to prioritise their activities in life. For example, those that are not so important can wait or be relegated to the last on the list. When they don't do so well for certain test or assignment, they need the resilience to bounce back, learning from their mistakes or failures. They also need to learn that success does not come on a silver platter; it requires hard work and effort. My children are no longer receiving tuition; they have begun to rely on their school teachers by making appointment to clarify their doubts. This too is an important social skill they have to pick up along the way. Where Chinese is concerned, my wife would be in a position to help them. What's more they are also immersed in a Chinese culture through attendance at Mandarin services and oikos meetings. I would also play my paternal role to help them in Math or Humanities-related subjects. By God's grace, they are not doing badly in their academic work.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Changing Lifestyles
Our lives nowadays are very much influenced by technology, which can be both a boon and a bane. Technology has brought with it a lot of benefits, making life in the 21st century much more convenient and less laborious than in the previous centuries. Artificial intelligence and the use of robots will become more and more pervasive as know-how increases. A recent article in The Straits Times talks about a self-driving robotic vehicle that can take you places in the shortest possible time, avoiding traffic jams and slippery roads. In the meantime, the passenger can get some work done while in transit. Another innovation in the pipeline is that of 3-D printers whereby we can design our very own bag or shoes and get them “printed” out. Such technologies can set one back by thousands of dollars and do away with the human touch.
In the world of high-tech, we can often lose the high touch. This can be considered a bane of technology. It is not uncommon to see people connected at family gatherings using their mobile devices instead of spending time talking face-to-face. Children are kept entertained by iPads or mobile phones. In a crowded train or bus, many would be plugged in to their mobile devices to either surf the net, play games or listen to music. Even though the World Wide Web provides a vast wealth of knowledge, not many of them are wholesome or truthful in nature. There are also human predators on the net seeking to take advantage of innocent lives and possibly destroy them. People can be influenced by humanistic or demonic philosophies and become rebels without a true cause. A case in point would be those led into becoming human bombs to fulfill a so-called higher cause.
Web technology has progressed from reading to interaction and then to customization. In the past, we use the World Wide Web to search for information; thereafter, we are able to interact with one another through social media like facebook, twitter, blog, etc. Now the move is towards capturing user-end information and marketing products or services through customizing personal preferences. Your personal tastes and preferences are captured when you serve the net without your knowledge. Somehow this information gets connected with marketing agencies and before you know it a message appears concerning a product or service you were looking out for, with a discount thrown in. Depending on how you see it, this can be an intrusion to one’s privacy or a beneficial outcome of modern technology, saving you the trouble to search further.
Another possible lifestyle change is the constitution of the family, which may not be instituted by God i.e. the union between a man and a woman. Increasingly, the demand is for same-sex marriage as seen in the western world and raising children from such union, either through adoption or some other means. Another alternative is that of the single-parent family whereby singles who do not marry obtain children through the help of medical science or adoption. Children brought up in non-traditional families will usually suffer from stigma and not experience the full complement of paternal-maternal love and bonding. In the creation account, God said that it was not good for Adam to be alone and as such Eve was created, someone to complement him and to be his helpmate (Gen 2:18-25). The biological make-up of the male and female anatomy is to complement one another so that children could be brought forth. This is in stark contrast to having same-sex marriage. The Bible also says that the body is not for immorality but for the Lord (1 Cor 6:13).
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Blessed Teachers' Day
Traditionally, 1 September is the day set aside for Teachers' Day, where teachers get a day off to commemorate the noble work that they do to help pupils learn, grow and develop holistically. To promote family life, MOE has recently shifted Teachers' Day to fall on the first Friday of September, so that teachers would have a long weekend which is usually followed by the one week vacation break. The intent is certainly a good one but little did it realise that there would be years where the first Friday of September would fall within the one week break, depriving teachers of the day off meant for them. There have been good suggestions given by the public to resolve this dilemma and I don't intend to add to them.
What I would like to talk about is the spirit of teaching that all of us as believers have a role to play. And as such, it is a day also dedicated to teachers like you, who though may not be in the teaching profession or hold the office of a teacher (in terms of ministry gift). Let me elaborate by looking at three passages of Scriptures. Firstly, the Jewish family is enjoined to instruct their children, especially fathers to sons, the laws and ways of the Lord (Dt 6:4-7). Fathers are to do this diligently, seizing every opportunity available in order that children might not forget the goodness of the Lord. We also see King Solomon instructing his son as follows:
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." Pr 3:1-4 (NIV)
As parents, we have a duty to instruct our children in God's ways, imparting biblical knowledge and values that will stand them in good stead not just for this present world but also in the world to come. We continue to do this until our children fly the nest or are old enough to stand on their own. We can never be sure whether our children will remain faithful to the Lord when they grow up contending with all the influences of the world. Our only assurance is to keep the communication lines open with them and with God. If we are not parents or do not have any children, we can still play an important role as proxy parents to our nephews or nieces. The godly influence of an aunt or uncle can do great wonders in the life of a young child.
Let's move now from the earthly family to the spiritual family of God. The writer to the book of Hebrews berated the believers for their lack of understanding in knowing the deep truths of God. In fact, he mentioned that they ought to be teaching others instead of being constantly fed, not having been weaned off milk.
"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Heb 5:11-14 (NIV)
As believers who have been a few years in the faith, we should have sufficient knowledge to point others the way to Christ and at the same time, counsel them in the basics of Christian living. The writer to Hebrews mentioned some of these elementary teaching: repentance and faith in Christ, water and Spirit baptism, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (Heb 6:1-2). It is through the community of believers meeting together in small groups that such exhortation is possible to build up the body. For those who have constantly been imbibing God's Word on their own either through personal research or attendance at seminars/bible studies, and have learnt how to apply God's Word, they usaully move towards becoming a teacher of God's Word. The apostle Paul talked about those with the gift of teaching and those holding the office of a teacher. Those with the gift of teaching may not be called to the office of a teacher. But those functioning in the office of a teacher should have the gift of teaching.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach." Rom 12:6-7 (NIV)
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Eph 4:11-13 (NIV)
The five-fold ministry, including that of a teacher, is to equip the church for works of service and to build up the church towards spiritual maturity in Christ. In the context of diversity of denominations, the unity of faith in Christ is important. When the universal church stands united as one body, confessing one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, we will see a greater demonstration of God's eternal love being made manifest among mankind through the called-out church (Eph 4:4-6).
If you are involved in teaching in one or more of those three areas mentioned above, have a blessed teachers' day! May you be anointed by God to continue teaching His ways and precepts.
What I would like to talk about is the spirit of teaching that all of us as believers have a role to play. And as such, it is a day also dedicated to teachers like you, who though may not be in the teaching profession or hold the office of a teacher (in terms of ministry gift). Let me elaborate by looking at three passages of Scriptures. Firstly, the Jewish family is enjoined to instruct their children, especially fathers to sons, the laws and ways of the Lord (Dt 6:4-7). Fathers are to do this diligently, seizing every opportunity available in order that children might not forget the goodness of the Lord. We also see King Solomon instructing his son as follows:
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." Pr 3:1-4 (NIV)
As parents, we have a duty to instruct our children in God's ways, imparting biblical knowledge and values that will stand them in good stead not just for this present world but also in the world to come. We continue to do this until our children fly the nest or are old enough to stand on their own. We can never be sure whether our children will remain faithful to the Lord when they grow up contending with all the influences of the world. Our only assurance is to keep the communication lines open with them and with God. If we are not parents or do not have any children, we can still play an important role as proxy parents to our nephews or nieces. The godly influence of an aunt or uncle can do great wonders in the life of a young child.
Let's move now from the earthly family to the spiritual family of God. The writer to the book of Hebrews berated the believers for their lack of understanding in knowing the deep truths of God. In fact, he mentioned that they ought to be teaching others instead of being constantly fed, not having been weaned off milk.
"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Heb 5:11-14 (NIV)
As believers who have been a few years in the faith, we should have sufficient knowledge to point others the way to Christ and at the same time, counsel them in the basics of Christian living. The writer to Hebrews mentioned some of these elementary teaching: repentance and faith in Christ, water and Spirit baptism, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (Heb 6:1-2). It is through the community of believers meeting together in small groups that such exhortation is possible to build up the body. For those who have constantly been imbibing God's Word on their own either through personal research or attendance at seminars/bible studies, and have learnt how to apply God's Word, they usaully move towards becoming a teacher of God's Word. The apostle Paul talked about those with the gift of teaching and those holding the office of a teacher. Those with the gift of teaching may not be called to the office of a teacher. But those functioning in the office of a teacher should have the gift of teaching.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach." Rom 12:6-7 (NIV)
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Eph 4:11-13 (NIV)
The five-fold ministry, including that of a teacher, is to equip the church for works of service and to build up the church towards spiritual maturity in Christ. In the context of diversity of denominations, the unity of faith in Christ is important. When the universal church stands united as one body, confessing one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, we will see a greater demonstration of God's eternal love being made manifest among mankind through the called-out church (Eph 4:4-6).
If you are involved in teaching in one or more of those three areas mentioned above, have a blessed teachers' day! May you be anointed by God to continue teaching His ways and precepts.
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