Christian Living

Expanding Our Horizons

by paul hoffmaster
10/30/22
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Over the years I have heard many sermons and teachings.  I have listened to and watched countless recordings and publications pertaining to Biblical subjects.  It has become more and more a classroom experience instead of personal involvement.  It is almost like a school experience where we can hardly wait for the bell (last hymn) to be rung or sung; after which the sprint to the buses or awaiting cars and the escape into visual reality occurs.  There is a sense that by completing the school and church obligations, the participants feel an appropriate grade and blessing will be given to them.

Are students and Christians striving to be the best they can be by studying and living by the principles of God’s Word?  Too many young people are just trying to get by with the least amount of effort.  Too many Christians solidify the basics of their Faith with little or no thought about the progression of their Faith.

My granddaughter studied hard and as a result, was rewarded for her effort with an appropriate grade.  Needless to say, she was excited not only for her academic performance but for the expanded knowledge she acquired.  Some Christians seem to just get by with the basics of the Christian Faith.  There is little desire or willingness to grow in their Faith.  Many students spend classroom time scanning their cell phones for the newest gossip or social news while failing to understand what their teacher is trying to teach them.  Some Christians are more concerned about what they are going to do after church than what their pastor is presenting. 

Students need to enter the classroom with a sense of expectancy.  Christians should show the same anticipatory attitude as they gather for their weekly worship experience.  Some students wait until the last minute to enter their classroom.  “Beat the bell” is a challenging game to see if one can get to his seat before being tardy.  Some Christians drink their coffee and eat their donuts and race to their seats before the first worship song or hymn is finished.

If students walk out of a classroom without having their minds challenged, something is wrong.  If Christians walk out of church in the same condition they were in when they entered the service, something is wrong.  A teacher’s job is to present subject matter in such a way that the most challenged student will have learned something.  A pastor’s job is to present the Gospel message in such a way that everybody will have learned something.

There is a dual responsibility for the student/Christian as well as the teacher/pastor.  Both instructors must prepare thoroughly and both recipients must be willing to give their undivided attention.  Students sometimes blame teachers for their failure to learn a certain subject.  Christians sometimes blame pastors for their lack of spiritual growth.  What it comes down to is how much effort are people willing to give in striving to understand secular and spiritual truth.

It is time for students and Christians to expand their horizons and soar into the secular and spiritual realms!