Teachers Training

Jesus told us to "Go" into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16).  Somebody brought the message of the Cross "t" to us.  We asked Jesus to come into our lives as Saviour, and so were "Got" to become one of God's children!

As we gained assurance that we were really saved, the Holy Spirit started to deal with our lives to rid us of all hatred, deceit, dishonesty, envy and slander.  We began to hunger for the pure spiritual milk and to develop and grow as young Christians (1 Peter 2:1-3).

We grow by reading the Bible and praying that we, "May live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10-12).  As our relationship and fellowship with Jesus deepens, our faith and trust grow and our love for others increases (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).  In obedience we follow Jesus' example in being baptised in water (Matthew 3:13-17).  This will please God and we will, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18a).

As we seek and are filled with the Holy Spirit, our lives will begin to radiate God's love and joy.  We will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit of, "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).  As we are led and controlled by the Holy Spirit, He will work out God's plan for our lives.  God will then empower our lives and ministry areas.

As we are taught by the Spirit, the call to "Go" and share the Gospel will come to us.  When we obey this call, God will make us a blessing in winning others for Christ, and so complete the Christian's Growth Cycle!

The Growth Cycle is not only for adults.  All Christians are included in the commission that Jesus gave us.  This includes children!  There is a growing conviction today that children should be taught how to minister to their peers.  For example a young girl named Julie over the course of a year personally brought over one hundred children to our Children's Club, where many subsequently gave their lives to Jesus.

Our teaching must thus extend way beyond just teaching lessons and stories from the Bible.  Our task today is to train and teach children to know the Lord and worship Him as true Believers, and to care for each other and pray for the needs of others.  Then give them tools to evangelise and win other children for Jesus, and eventually disciple and care for them.   The growth cycle thus forms the basis of all Sunday School and Children's Church teaching.

God bless!