In the blanks below, write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.
“All of us are teaching all the time… God‘s concern is not just that we teach, for we will always be doing that, but that we be Word-filled teachers – I may not feel I have the gift of teaching, but I still am.
“The Bible teaches us what is right for us (‘doctrine’), teaches us what is wrong with us (‘reproof’), teaches us how to make it right (‘correction’), and teaches us how to keep it right (‘instruction in righteousness’) – I love the way this draws out the meaning of the list in Timothy.”
What do we mean when we say that the scriptures are ‘infallible’?
“They are completely truthful and without error.”
In the blank below, right the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.
“([Man’s] arrogance is astounding!) The Bible stands in judgment upon man’s beliefs and behavior – not vice versa. – Definitely vital to remember.
“God is the Expert at addressing people in pain. Most of the Bible was written to hurting people. – I never thought of it that way before, but I suppose so (As Jesus said, He came for the sick, not for the ‘healthy’.)”
What do we mean when we say the scriptures are ‘authoritative’?
“God backs them up.”
In the blanks below, write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.
“God does not give us permission to remove splinters from the eyes of others, even our children if we are parents, until we have done some spiritual ‘lumberjacking’ and have removed the logs from our own eyes. – It also makes me think of the flight instructions about the oxygen masks.
“Don’t just rebuke someone for his outward sin. Be aware of how that sin is a manifestation of a heart of unbelief. – It is a very different perspective to view that as the root of all sin.”
Jesus consider the willingness to rebuke and chasten an expression of his love for His people. He loved them too much to allow them to continue in their sin (Revelation 3:19). Today, many people do not believe that someone who rebukes and chastens them really loves them. How do they view one who rebukes them?
“They view it as an attack, being judged by them, the other person, being narrow-minded, petty, or prejudiced.”
Complete this sentence from the text: The word ‘correction’ comes from a Greek word that means “to make something stand up again or to right something again.”
When confessing sin, to others, it is best to say ‘I was wrong when I . Will you forgive me?’ Why is that better than some other approaches, such as ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I apologize’?
“The admitting of wrongdoing is crucial to genuine, contrition and healing the relationship.”
Dearest Rachel -
I’ve no idea why this particular week had you rushing through it to the point where you only answered two questions on each day, and in fact, skipped day five entirely. Maybe it was just a busy week – perhaps involving travel to see your parents (which you did several times throughout the year most of your life, stepping up to one week out of every month by their last few years). Maybe, since this is nearing the end of this particular study, you were just getting burned out – although the following week’s commentary seems to be more thorough (then again, the final week is completely blank, which adds credence to the theory). The irony is that, whatever kept you from writing more also kept you from including context as to why you weren’t writing as much as you had (or should have); I can only point out the absence and speculate… and include what answers you provided for this specific topic in their entirety.
In any event, there may also have been an element of not knowing what to do with this topic. Like you – especially now that I’ve stood in front of classrooms as an actual teacher (and will be doing so again shortly) – I don’t see myself as a ‘teacher.’ I don’t feel that I’m good at getting my point across in that setting (although in a discussion format, where everyone is at a similar level, it’s much easier, especially when I feel I know what I’m talking about). We’d also been raised on verses that made it clear that those who teach will be held to a stricter standard, and didn’t really want to carry that responsibility of getting things wrong, not just for ourselves, but for those who are supposed to be learning from us. Our spiritual ‘lumberjacking’ never seems to be finished; our oxygen mask never seems to be properly fitting.
Then again, given that second analogy, we may be in a situation where we don’t have the time to adjust it to perfection; others need to be able to take spiritual breaths, and we’re the only ones who can help them with their masks. Moreover, whether we want the responsibility or not, there are going to be those looking at us as the only version of Jesus they know, so we need to reflect Him as best we can, whether we want to – or think we’re doing a good job of it – or not. It’s a fraught situation for those of us who barely see ourselves as adequate.
Then again, maybe admitting one’s flaws actually makes one better at helping others with theirs. Certainly, it precludes any impression that, as a ‘teacher,’ you’re above the student’s plight. “I once struggled with the same things you’re dealing with, and here’s the way out from there” is a compelling argument when asking another to follow you out of their situation, whatever it may be. Indeed, it’s part of the point of the Incarnation itself, that Jesus was as weak and prone to fail as we are (although of course, still being God as well, did not – not could not, but did not).
·For our high priest is able [L For we do not have a high priest who is unable] to ·understand [sympathize with] our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15, Expanded Bible
At the same time, that’s a daunting role to model, honey. You may have achieved perfection over there, but I’ve got a long way to go. So if you and the Father would keep an eye on me, and wish me well, I’d appreciate it. I’m pretty sure I still need it.
Letters to Rachel 