My mom served as an elementary school teacher for about 31 years. Toward the end of her career, she grew more frustrated at some of the teaching techniques that were being championed as “new” and “more effective” when, in actuality, they were cleaned up versions of techniques used a dozen or more years earlier.

Like any discipline, educators continually try to improve upon what they do. One method of teaching involves a combination of instruction, repeating the instruction in a variety of circumstances, and, where possible, allowing the students to try out what they’ve been learning. When students try, at first they feel a bit awkward or ill-prepared. But, they learn and sometimes surprise themselves about what they know and what they don’t.

Now that we’ve been through 10 chapters of The Story, you’re probably seeing some of the patterns as God teaches and guides His people. Remember when we read about the judges? This was a series of opportunities for God’s people to put their learning into action. They didn’t do so well. While a judge was in place, the people followed God and experienced a time of prosperity. They knew God was with them. When the judge died, they people turned their backs on God. To ask them, I’m sure they would have reasons for why they acted as they did or some justification for not doing what they knew they should.

We, too, have received instruction in the faith. Some of us have been in the church our whole lives. Some of us have had opportunities to put our faith into action.

Take some time this week to read the Scriptures from Sunday (11/17): 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and Luke 1:26-38. But then pray about how you can put your faith and your knowledge of God into practice. You may use the following categories to help guide your thinking:

• Personal faith – devotions, prayer, reading your Bible
• Worship – joining with your fellow Bethelites to give thanks and worshipping God
• Education – it is very important to continually be tied in to life-long faith learning
• Evangelism – this is not just knocking on doors. It’s talking about faith and encouraging one another both inside and outside the congregation. Consider inviting someone to church.
• Fellowship – it’s important for us to have fun together.
• Service

As you pray, present yourself to God even using the words of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).

 

Resources

Sermon @ 8:00am The Story | Standing Tall, Falling Hard

Sermon @ 11:00am The Story | Standing Tall, Falling Hard