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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sunday School (10/25/07)
It was a very difficult week. We had two deaths in our church family and I was an elder so was deeply involved in both tragedies. The first was a 12 year old girl who was murdered at her home. The second was a young adult male who decided to take his own life.

I didn’t have any time during the week to prepare to teach my class of Junior High students on Sunday morning. I got up early to do some last minute preparations. I had difficulty keeping my mind on the task at hand. I finally just dropped my head into my hands and prayed, “Lord, I don’t know what to do with my class this morning because I’m having difficulty concentrating. Please help me.” I tried studying some more, but I still couldn’t seem to get a clear direction of how to teach these kids. I gave up, showered, and headed out the door for church. I prayed all the way there.

Junior High kids can be quite challenging. At one moment, they are like little children; and yet, in the next moment, they act very grown-up. I couldn’t tell you what the lesson was that morning, but I will tell you this. As each young person left the class that day they told me what a GREAT class it was.

I learned that day that God is a much better teacher than I will ever be. My job is to prepare as best I can, although that day I was far from being prepared. Then I am to pray for my class and my teaching. Finally, I show up and turn the actual teaching over to Him. I continue to use this method today as I teach older adults.

Moses had moments of doubt in his ability, too. God told him in Exodus 4:12, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Several years later, we had a church supper followed by members telling what they really liked about our church. I was blown away when one of my students from that Junior High class told that what she really liked about our church was having teachers like me. She said she especially learned a lot from our Junior High class.

What I especially like about being one of God’s children is that he will help us speak and will teach us what to say. We just need to lean on him.
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This article has been read 518 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
11/01/07
The plight of a teacher or leader in the church sometimes is that we feel the pressure to be perfectly focused and motivated all the time. The reality is that it isn't always possible as we walk through the different challenges of life. It reminds us to be completely dependent on the Spirit, however, and that's when the real work starts! Great perspective!
Debbie Wistrom
11/02/07
I liked how your MC knew to pray and how to pray and why he prayed so wonderful to be grounded in that belief. Keep writing.
Laury Hubrich 
11/02/07
What an understatement -- Jr. High is challenging:) Things go so much more smoothly when we allow God to work through us, for sure. Great writing.
Laury
Jan Ackerson 
11/03/07
Good story, well-written.

Add a bit of junior high dialogue and you'll knock this one out of the park.
Janice S Ramkissoon
11/05/07
"What I especially like about being one of God’s children is that he will help us speak and will teach us what to say. We just need to lean on him." Amen!

Unfortunately, it takes a very long while and much unnecessary struggle before many grasp this understanding.

Great read! But I felt it was missing something.
c clemons
11/06/07
Good personal testimony and that is the real message of your article when we let go and let God, he ALWAYS comes thru. Good job.