Bradley United Methodist Church
AN HISTORIC CHURCH LIVING FOR TODAY,
WITH A VISION
FOR TOMORROW
210
W. Main Street,
Greenfield, Indiana 46140-2097 Telephone:
317-462-2662
E-Mail: info@BradleyUMC.org
Our purpose is to grow people to: magnify God,
become members of
Christ and His Church,
be mature in Christ, minister through Christ,
and be in mission with Christ.
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November 18, 2007
Rev. Terry D. Campbell
Teacher/Thanksgiving Sunday
Spiritual Mentors
Ephesians 4:11-15
“It was he who gave some to be . . . teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Have you ever had the experience. maybe when you were younger, of someone asking you to “Do this”, but you don’t do it fast enough or good enough and they say, “Here! Just let me do it!” After this happening several times, what do you begin to teach someone? They can’t do things very well. They are not competent!”
Learning is important! Our learning shapes how we live our lives. Therefore, teaching is at least as important and good teaching even more so. That is why God rounds out His people gifts to the church with teacher-role Christians. These people are at their most helpful when they are spiritual mentors.
I. Spiritual mentors Teach them WHAT to believe.
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law came to Moses when Moses’ work was about to get him down. Jethro acted as a spiritual mentor, helping Moses learn how to lead. He said to Moses in Exodus 18:20-“Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.” Teach them what to believe but, as Jethro counseled in Exodus 18:21-“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” It was Moses’ job to teach people what God’s people believe so they could live as a witness people.
This is why teachers use Scripture as the basis of their teaching. God gave it to us as a teaching tool! 1 Cor. 10:6-“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” 1 Cor. 10:11-“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” From Scripture we learn both good and bad—things to do and things to avoid. Teaching-role Christians help lift up those that are appropriate to our growth to make sure we see them. We need spiritual mentors to teach us what to believe because:
- Spiritual truth may differ from what the world thinks.
Psalm 78:4-6-“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”
We teach people that God is our Source and the cause of our blessings, not Mother Earth or Fate. As we pass this awareness of God on to our children, they have it to pass on to theirs, and they to theirs, etc. Each generation will learn that it is not right to steal, murder, commit adultery or lie. No matter what direction the world’s “truth” move in, our descendents will have the witness of God’s teaching.
- Also they need to teach us because Our emotions often lie to us.
Psalm 78:7-“Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
- From wrong conclusions. “Mom and Dad divorced when I was born. So it was my fault my family isn’t together.” “I don’t have anything for which to be thankful.”
- From wrong teaching. “You’re nothing, and you’ll never amount to anything!” “You women have no value except to birth babies and take care of houses.”
- From abuse. “I was so bad that I caused my parent who is wiser than me need to beat me.”
It is amazing how many lies we inadvertently believe either because we are trying to make since out of the world and don’t have all the facts or we don’t know any better. A teacher-role Christian can help us examine ourselves in the light of what God says and then re-adjust our mental “tapes” so that we better see ourselves as the people with hope and possibilities that God has brought forth. Spiritual mentors help raise our self-esteem and help us achieve more because we value ourselves more.
II. It’s important Spiritual Mentors Teach them WHY to believe.
Understanding “Why” you believe what you believe isn’t always necessary, but it can be helpful at times—especially when the going gets ruff to keep on hanging on to our values and beliefs. The reasons begin with “God said.” Deut. 6:1-3-“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you,. . .”
Notice that it continues with the reason, “So that you can be blessed in the long run.” “and so that you may enjoy long life. 3Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.” It says the same thing in Exodus 20:12-“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Another reason we might learn is that it is the right and respectful way to live—in other words, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” otherwise we all live and act like animals. When I am tempted to give in—I ask myself, “Would I want someone to treat me that way?” If “No” then maybe I’ll think twice about giving in.
This isn’t saying we need to give reasons for everything we say, but many things do have a logical and see-able reason that if learned, will help us hang on to it as valuable and good.
III. Spiritual Mentors Teach them HOW to believe.
- Remember the importance of teaching application.
Bible Stories are great—but what do they mean to me? How do I apply their examples, their principles in my daily life? It’s not enough for me to know the story of David and Goliath. I need to know why David stood up to Goliath and that David also had times when God told him to run and David hid in caves. The key is listening to God and obeying Him
- Use the importance of seeing respected people model the application.
For example. It is important for us all to learn to say “thank you”—whether to another person or to God. It teaches us to not be so self-centered and self-absorbed and to remember that the world outside of us is important too—especially God. God is our true and ultimate Source.
We learn from the Pilgrims that is important to give God thanks.
We learn from our parent that it is important to give thanks for our food by watching them give thanks at meals as we grow. You see—modeling. Do what you teach—or you will teach what you do!
- Learn ways to “pass it on.” One way to “pass it
on” is:
- I do—you watch.
- I do—you help.
- You do—I help
- You do—I watch.
What will you do now?
God has given congregations people who challenge us to keep reaching out, to pay attention to God’s word, to live and share the faith, to support, challenge, and encourage each other and to never stop learning and growing deeper in the understanding of the things of God. Every one of you is a part of this ministry. Every one of you is important! May God bless you all and make you fruitful! Amen.
This page last updated on November 27, 2007