Teaching Moments
Teaching Moments
One of the relaxing hobbies for me is creating pottery. Actually, it is in being in a pottery class and learning how to create beautiful designs. Finding it interesting to see others at work, their wheels a whirring and lumps of clay becoming pieces of useful beautiful art. But, I found it isn’t just in working on my own wheel hoping to implement what I see that is of great value. One evening a gentleman was going to use a method called “throwing off the hump” in creating several mugs from one large lump of clay. He was kind enough to not only allow my daughter and I to watch but as he was working he taught. What a gift.
It would have been easy for this man to just go about his creating and not engage us watching but he didn’t. He allowed a teachable moment. He didn’t make a display of it. Nor did he stand on a pulpit and try to draw others into what he was doing. He simply looked up at us and spoke as he worked. There were a few nearby that started to watch and listen but that didn’t alter his tone or actions. He didn’t get puffed up but was humble and kind.
This experience stayed with me several days after and I realized how valuable the teaching or teachable moments really are. Not just in the world of pottery but in our everyday world.
Years ago, there was a thirst planted in me to learn more each day no matter what my age or circumstances. Sometimes I forget that opportunities to learn don’t always have to be sought after but will appear without notice. It is in being aware of what and who is around us that brings some of the best teaching moments we can experience. Sometimes we are the ones to provide that gifted moment for others.
We were created with a need to continually learn. Learning isn’t just about gaining knowledge but gaining understanding as well. Knowing how and why we apply the knowledge to our everyday lives. It is allowing ourselves to be in circumstances that require us to learn more; stepping out of our comfort zone, as they say. Sometimes it is in looking up, engaging others, and teaching them that we learn the most.
When we forget we are a forever student we can become arrogant and self-absorbed no longer relevant to those around us. We either grow or become stagnant. Our willingness to learn is the key to both. No one stays the same.
But, knowledge and understanding aren’t enough.
Knowledge doesn’t provide the passion for the purpose driven life. It is in our pursuing a relationship with our Heavenly Father, Jesus His son, and the Holy Spirit so that knowledge, understanding, and wisdom become a key component of our lives. It is integral to how and what we pursue in our lives. Our relationship with God impacts how we respond and interact with the lives we touch.
Jesus is a perfect example of teaching others and yet still learning from His Father. Jesus tells us this:
“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.”
John 8:28 English Standard Version (ESV)
Spending time with His Father for guidance, learning from His Father was a part of Jesus’ daily plan. Before teaching others He was studying His Father; hearing His words; watching His actions.
“So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
The word “teach” is recorded over 400 times in the New and Old Testaments. Whether it is referring to “teach me” or “they were teaching” over and over the Bible reminds us that both need to be a part of our daily life. It doesn’t matter how long we live there is always a plethora of things about God we can learn if we choose to do so. My Grandma C, accepted Christ at age 17, she went to be with the Lord at age 95. She was passionate about God. She loved learning about Him and teaching others. She said even on the day she passed, “Every day of her life she learned something new about God and it was the delight of each day.” I am here to say every day she shared what she learned. I was blessed. She taught me how to learn. Grandma had an insatiable desire for God’s word. She taught me how to teach. Grandma taught with a humble deep love for God and those He put in her path to love. She just kept working, looking up, engaging, gently loving, and teaching as we walked together. She did that for everyone she met.
It doesn’t matter who you are, your education, or economic or business status, we all need to learn more of our Heavenly Father.
King David is considered one of the greatest kings and warriors in all time and he shares where his wisdom, strength, and direction came from so listen to what he says:
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
“Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.”
Psalm 119:73 English Standard Version (ESV)
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead meon level ground!”
Psalm 143:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.”
Psalm 119:32 New International Version (NIV)
The author of Deuteronomy says this about his teaching:
“Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.”
Deuteronomy 32:2 New International Version (NIV)
What spectacular imagery of teaching with love, humility, and grace. This type of teaching moves mountains, changes lives, and empowers people to reach their God-given potential. This is the type of teaching that changed my life and inspired me to have a passion to learn, live, and teach more about my heavenly Father.
Solomon says this about the wise:
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”
Proverbs 9:9 New International Version (NIV)
Each day of our life we have the opportunity to learn. Each day we have the gift to teach.
Today are you willing to commit to learning one new thing about God every day for the rest of your life?
