“And he
[Jesus] left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond
the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his
custom was, he taught them.” --Mark 10:1, RSV
Jesus Christ was a teacher. Wherever he went, he taught.
He taught his listeners about the coming Kingdom of God and the
present Kingdom of God.
Likewise, the Body of Christ (that is, the Church) teaches.
The Body of Christ -- through its laity, its bishops, and its
ordained ministers -- teaches about God’s Kingdom, coming and
present.
All the Church, all the time, should be eager to learn more
about God, the Church, the faith, and the world, from the Bible
and the Church’s faith. That is why Sunday School classes,
Pioneer Clubs, Bible studies, and other church classes are so
important for all of us. All of these educational
adventures reflect, here and now, the earthly ministry of Jesus
Christ.
Learning in the Church really is an adventure. For it
involves submitting ourselves -- even when we do not feel like
it, even when we think we already know it all -- to the
instruction of Christ and his Church. Sometimes this
learning will include reviewing the things we have known for
years. Sometimes this learning will include dealing with
new or startling truth claims. Sometimes this learning
will include arguing, with respect and love, a point or two.
Sometimes this learning will include countering the errors of a
bishop who is teaching questionable content. Again, it is
an adventure.
Lent is a good time to recommit ourselves to Christian learning,
to submit ourselves and our busy schedules to opportunities to
learn the faith more deeply. If we do, he -- that is,
Jesus Christ -- will teach us.
O God, forgive us for thinking that we already know enough about
you, your Kingdom, and your Church. Lead us to be renewed
in the knowledge of you, and your love and your will for us.
And strengthen those who teach us, week in and week out.
Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
--Paul T.
Stallsworth
