I was in my late teens already when I had the privilege to stand before the chalkboard as a primary school teacher.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The chalkboard was my friend and a tool for me to hand down my knowledge in the simplest manner for the young minds to grasp the subject I am teaching. Those days with the geometry box or instrument for teachers in my hand were a time to treasure for me.
It was a time to cherish when the young minds finally understand something new to them. The little knowledge imparted became a stepping stone into the vast world that awaited everyone.
We tend to think of teaching as a single person standing in front of a class. Maybe a chalkboard or some slides are being projected. That’s certainly one form of teaching. It is not the mode of presentation, but the way of handing down the truth that matters.
In a sense, anything we do to hand down our faith to another is part of a ministry of teaching.
Lesson by the Well:
The Scripture provided us with an abundance of stories that involve Jesus’ teaching. I’m deeply moved by such an act of love – the filling of the thirsty. A source of the living water.
One of the most famous encounters is found in John 4 when Jesus encountered a woman at a well. He was understandably tired. It was about noon, and He had been traveling through Samaria from Judea. He used His natural tiredness as an opportunity for ministry.
He broke through a number of barriers simply by speaking to her. She was female, a Samaritan, and would have been stigmatized for her numerous marriages.
Introducing himself:
Jesus gives her, the woman, a need-based explanation.
He piqued her interest when He referred to living water and His own identity.
He responded kindly to her sass. He showed insight into her life. He pointed her to true worship done in the Spirit and truth. Jesus saw the desire of her heart; she wanted to see the Messiah. He knows what she is longing for deep inside her. And he met her needs.
Handing the living water:
This section of the story always leaves a deep impact on me. Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14
His revelation – that you were longing is here.
He introduced her to the Messiah; the Messiah is himself!
Imagine yourself introducing the Savior to someone who has been searching desperately due to those certain levels of their previous that cannot be taken back.
All of these are things we can do as well. We can use our day-to-day activities as opportunities for ministry. We can break through social barriers. We can speak in ways that stir interest.
Interactive Sessions:
We can remain kind during tough conversations. We have to know who we are dealing with, handling the truth well enough to prayerfully discern their deeper struggles. We can point out listeners or learners to Christ and true worship.
Healing the blind is revealing himself as the light! John 9
We praise God for Christ’s example!
Handing down our faith:
Let us start a ministry. If you’re interested, let me know. It is a very rare opportunity; no one discloses their mind without laying the foundation work. Here, registering the ministry.
You can join me. It would be better still if we could talk and meet each other. Yet we can also collaborate in a non-profit ministry where we hand down our faith to others.
The chalkboard ministry will teach the gospel as well as discipleship to the believers.
I’m making an open call under The Abiding Tentmaking Initiative.
Hand down to the next generation:
Worldview has changed tremendously with the advancement of technology. Yet I believe every generation might have the same view during their own timeframe.
The steam engine, for example, has brought about a big change in the Industrial Revolution and sped up the locomotive sector. There were inventions as well as innovations that have brought about a change beyond the imagination of the common man.
Just as in our time and era, many people have developed another kind of belief system and approach towards God. If there could be an alternative to almost anything, why not give a serious thought to one’s faith and beliefs?
Listening to them:
Sadly enough, many souls were lost in the hullabaloo of changes brought about by time. It is time we revisit the foundation of our faith and the legacy we are likely to leave behind.
It is time we sat beside them, the new generation, to give them what they need. It is our duty or obligation to reveal the one and only true God to them. We must take time out from our busy schedule to sit with them. As they talked, we were to listen to their voices and concerns.
“Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed, and when you are getting up.” Deut. 11:19 In this way, we would be able to hand down our faith.
#chalkboardministry
