"Back to school." For some that saying is a joy (mostly parents) for others it means drudgery, but the reality of education is an ongoing process every follower of Jesus Christ should take as a lifelong journey. The Bible gives us several examples of people who took learning to the level that I believe God would have for all of us.
Acts 7:2-22, "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action."
Moses went to the best schools in the land, he studied at the top universities of his day, yet Moses had more to learn. When he saw an Israelite being abused he killed the Egyptian who was doing it then he fled to the school of "sheep tending," and for 40 years Moses learned from sheep. He lived a quiet life with his wife and children but God had other plans for Moses, he was to be the deliverer of Israel. After Moses takes that call from God we find he is a different man then the one who would try to deliver by his own strength. Now Moses is humble and later when he hears the people complaining instead of showing his authority, Moses falls face down before God and prays for mercy for the people. Moses is a great example of formal and practical education.
The Apostle Paul is another example. Before he is a Christian, Paul is named Saul and he is opposed to all Christians, persecuting them and abusing them. He too had great formal education, he studied in the finest school of his day learning under Gamaliel the top rabbi in all Israel. Paul was on a quest to be the best rabbi around, when he is struck by the blinding light of Jesus Christ. He is converted and the man who was zealous for the Old Covenant becomes the one who defines the tenets of the New Covenant.
His words are in Philippians 3:5-7, (I was) "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
The Bible speaks of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus saying much the same about their childhoods. Luke 2:52 "...Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
This year as we send our children back to school, let's not forget that there is another aspect to their education, it is the spiritual part. If you are a follower of Jesus you are mandated to help your children grow in faith, then as adults let's not forget that all our education is wonderful (I continue mine to this day, even as an old guy), but there is another school that God wants his children to learn at, it is the school of humility, the school of wisdom, the school of faith. That education is ongoing until we are with the Lord, that education comes as we spend time in God's word, in fellowship and in prayer.
Rich Lammay is pastor of High Sierra Fellowship and is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
