Tag Archives: Teaching

God’s Ways or Cultural Norms?

Living in the Spirit

September 4, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 119:33-40

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
   and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
   and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
   for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to your decrees,
   and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
   give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
   which is for those who fear you.
Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
   for your ordinances are good.
See, I have longed for your precepts;
   in your righteousness give me life.

The Psalm above describes our encounters with God, the teacher, who guides us through our spiritual and ethical development, enabling us to discern what is just and righteous and what is not. Our first encounters with God are usually filtered through human teachers. Few people report burning bush or road to Damascus experiences. Parents and any other type of teacher understand that they have an awesome responsibility to train up a child in the right way and when old, they will not stray. (Proverbs 22:6)

We all carry some of the wisdom or folly from our ancestors. We all pass either, or more likely both to the next generations. Thus, continuously evaluating our understandings of what is just and what is right is necessary. We must seek a clearer understanding of cultural norms that drive justice today.

The idea of race as a defining trait of humans did not exist before the 16h century. Yet by 1619, slaves were being imported to and sold in the colonies that became the United States. Race was being used to de-humanize people to sustain a better economic outcome for the colonizers. The practice was adopted as a religious tenet without regard to scripture, which clearly indicated that all people were made in the image of God. The whole scientific finding of race has since been debunked, but we continue to scar our world with its design.

Prayer: God of Justice, Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

The Destruction of Illiteracy

LiteracyLiving in the Spirit
Light a Candle for Children
September 19, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing.  — Philippians 1:27-28

I feel pretty certain my mother read to me when I was in the womb. Since I am the youngest of three children, I might have just been overhearing what was being read to my brother and my sister. I honestly cannot remember the inability to read. My dad also loved to read but what I remember about him is my reading to him. If he were still alive, I bet he would like audio books. With that background, I must admit, I was stunned by today’s Oklahoma Fact (below) and my heart goes out to those parents who are not experiencing the joy of reading with their children.

Part of the explanation is that 6% of our adult population reads at less than a 9th grade level and 20% less than a 12th grade level*. Our educational failures beget educational failures. Part of the explanation is that a lot of parents are working two or more jobs to make ends meet and have little time to spend with their children. Seventeen percent of the children at the school with which my church has a relationship, are English as a second language students whose parents may be literate and may read to their children in their native language but do not read English.

In our scripture today, Paul encourages us to strive side by side with others and not be intimidated by our opponents. Illiteracy is an opponent that needs to be destroyed. Helping parents learn to read will help them qualify for better employment, but just as important will help them help their children learn to read.

Oklahoma Fact: in 2013, 13% of Children ages 1 to 5 had family members read to them less than 3 days per week**

Prayer: Rabboni, teach us to teach others so that all may know the fullness of your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

* http://www.odl.state.ok.us/literacy/statistics/

** http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/5108-children-ages-1-to-5-whose-family-members-read-to-them-less-than-3-days-per-week?loc=38&loct=2#detailed/2/38/false/1021,18,14/any/11545,11546

 

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.