“TIME FOR EDUCATION”
A Message from Rick Mosher, Minister
We have seen schools get underway in recent weeks. Everything from pre-schools to colleges are beginning their new school years. Education is important. A poignant illustration of this came amid the recent passing of Country Music legend Dolly Parton. Her father had been unable to read and write. This made Dolly so determined that children be literate that she started a well-known program to provide books for them. All this got me thinking.
No less important, and on an eternal scale more important, than our earthly education is our Christian Education. It’s important that every individual learn God’s Word and how to apply it in life. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in II Timothy 2.15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” The King James translators actually translate “Do your best” as “Study”. Even when we read this verse in other translations, it’s obvious that to correctly handle God’s word one must study.
Elsewhere in the New Testament this call to learning God’s Word is amplified. For instance, Jesus, in His “Great Commission” doesn’t merely call us to teach people about Him and baptize them, He also tells us to teach them how to live the life. Matthew 28.19-20a: 19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The Apostles took this call seriously and taught the people in the early days of the church. The people, in turn, were eager to learn. We find in Acts 2.42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” If these people were devoted to it, they didn’t just show up occasionally. They were very regularly learning from the Apostles.
In another passage, Peter over in I Peter 2.2 says to new Christians, “Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” Most translations identify the Word, the Bible, as the spiritual milk. However, we are not to stay at that baby and milk stage. The writer of Hebrews implores us to get beyond the baby stage in our study and become mature and able to teach others. I could also cite other texts. We have a clear call to our Christian Education, to learning and applying God’s Word.
Christians, what will you do about this? Will you read and study God’s Word regularly? Will you attend study classes? We have some exciting opportunities for you to do this here at Licking Christian Church if you live in our area. On Wednesday evenings, we have an adult class as well as youth classes for youngsters from 4 years old through high school. In our Sunday morning Bible Study time, we have classes for all ages from two years old through our three adult groups: College Age, our traditional Adult Sunday School Class, and a brand new one starting this month for those between these other two classes. There’s something for everyone and you are urged to be here every week.
I have written to Christians, this month, however if you are reading this and you don’t have Jesus as Lord and Savior, won’t you put your faith in Him? Obey the Gospel in faith, repentance, confession of faith, and immersion into Him so you become saved. You can find scripture references that give more information about making Jesus your Lord and Savior by clicking on our Path to Salvation page on this web site. If we can assist you in obeying the Gospel, or in your walk with Christ, contact us.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.