Watching our one-year-old granddaughter as she begins walking and talking is so much fun. We are proud of her growth and enjoy being with her as she learns. But we don’t expect her to be at this same level of growth twenty years—or even one year—from now. What about spiritual growth? Just how mature can we become in the Body of Christ? We can grow up together!
I’ve thought a lot lately about what is important to me. Within the last week, Sherry has gone from major memory loss from Covid, to being back to her old self and even stronger. We received this gracious deliverance with the help of the fervent prayers of many wonderful believers who love us. We are thankful for their intercession and for God’s healing through Christ.
I love being a teacher. Sherry and I were talking about how much we love working at a local classical academy because of the loving staff, supportive parents, and receptive students there. We thought of this Bible verse that sets some great principles on teaching. It reminded us of what we get to do every day with our students.
I Thessalonians 5:14:
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Having a Classical background helps us so much to understand the English language, as well as life. If this were a modern school memorandum (a good Latin word), it might read:
To: Teacher Brethren
From: Paul
Subject: How to take care of students
Date: 53 A.D.
I am calling you to my side to 1) teach correct behavior to those that are out of step; 2) tenderly encourage those who are losing heart; and 3) let those who are weak lean on your support. Above all, please be patient and treat these students kindly. Thanks for your support.
For those interested in Greek, here’s a little background on the words used in this scripture.
The word for “exhort” is parakaleō. It is from kaleō [to call] and para [alongside]. It literally means to bring someone to your side: like a loving parent, teacher, or coach would do. That’s the first thing to teaching—letting your students know that you care about them.
The word “warn” is noutheteō. It is from nous [mind] and tithēmi [to set] = to set in mind, to warn with wise words. That is the joy and challenge of teaching. How to get those wise words into a student’s mind.
The teacher is to warn a specific kind of person or student—the unruly. This word is from ataktos. The Greek word comes from a [no, not] and tassō [to arrange in proper order] = not in order, out of the proper arrangement. It is used in Classical Greek of someone in the military being “out of step” with the other soldiers. This may remind you of a challenging student. The best way to help them is to keep setting the truth into their mind. Eventually, it will bear fruit.
The word “comfort” is paramutheomai. This Greek word comes from para [alongside] and muō [to speak softly] = calling alongside with gentle, tender words. This doesn’t require a lecture in front of the class. This is to privately tell that student softly and genuinely how much you care for them and want them to succeed. Your words may have “teeth,” but they are delivered in a kind and loving manner.
Why? Because the student is “feebleminded.” This does not mean slow or unable to comprehend. The Greek word used is oligopsuchos. It comes from oligos [few, little], as in our word “oligarchy,” rule by a few. And it comes from psuchē [soul], as in our word “psychology,” which deals with the “soul” or heart of a person. Together they, the “little souled,” are those tired and exhausted by their daily events and requirements.
Just think of a student who has done their best and is tired of the fight. We don’t need to load on more work and reprisals. Just let them “get a breath” and use tender words to help them go on. Then you can support their academic career once they are better able to learn.
The word for “support” is antechomai. It comes from anti [against] and echō [to hold] = to hold against, to press closely in love. This advice is for helping a child different than the “trouble” student who is out of step, or the “little souled” student who wants to give up. This is a student who is “weak” or genuinely lacking in an area: intellect, physical ability, emotional stability.
The word for “weak” is asthenēs. This Greek word comes from a [no, not] and sthenoō [to make strong]. These students are not strong and need our support: personal encouragement, one-on-one teaching when available, getting parents more involved if needed. Whatever it takes to help strengthen them.
What is the GREATEST thing we can do as teachers? Be patient. Another classic Bible verse [I Corinthians 13:4] says that love is only two things: patient and kind. If you can get those virtues down, you’re in pretty good shape.
The word for “be patient” is makrothumeō. It comes from makros [great] and thumeō [to have thumos, passion]. It means to have a great passion in supporting others, showing patience and big-mindedness. That’s what I want to be.
All of us probably have dozens of opportunities each day to be patient with ourselves, family, co-workers, and friends. And those who are teachers have the joy each day of patiently and kindly teaching wonderful young people who want to learn.
Let’s look for others to “teach” in our daily lives. We can give direction to those out of step, speak tender words of comfort to the little-souled, and allow the weak to lean on us until they can support themselves. In all things, we can be big-minded and patient with all those we meet. Happy teaching!
I was raised in the Roman Catholic church. Within that church, we had local churches called parishes within a diocese. I was very involved, and the same basic families in our local community were a part of my church upbringing.
When I was in college, I attended a church in the home, and learned a lot of the Bible. One thing I learned was that a “church” was not a building or even a denomination. It was the “called out” of God.
Good morning! You just woke up and now it’s time to get dressed and grab your tools before heading out to work. You may be a carpenter, business executive, or local chef. Now that you’re ready to go, you just walk out to your car (or truck) and head off.
Today is Halloween. That reminds me of my childhood in Missouri, walking in the rain along country roads, where my brothers and sisters and I carried our pillowcases and wore sheets to be ghosts. At other times I was Zorro, or the Wolfman, or Dracula, but the goal was the always same—lots of candy to eat the next day.
Some of the sweetest moments in life for me have been just “hanging out” with those I love. I remember gathering fossils along a creek bed with our son when he was into learning about them. I can recall hours of faithfully running with my friend Rich below star-filled, early morning skies. And I still enjoy daily walks with my lovely Sherry around our neighborhood. These are times of “full sharing” where we open our hearts to one another.
For about ten years of our married life, Gene and I would often fly back to the states from our home in the Pacific. Flying time was usually about a total of 18 hours, one way. I had no fear of flying at first, but after a few years of this I started to get worried. My growing fear began to eat away at my trust in the heavenly Father to keep me safe always.
I’ve enjoyed being unified in my relationships with others throughout my life. I was unified into a wonderful family with a great Dad and Mom and all eight of us kids. I was unified with my Boy Scout troop, my school class, and my soccer team. Later I was unified with my wife Sherry and our son. These are all relationships that endeavor to live the old motto “all for one and one for all.”
Superbowl Sunday is a big event in the United States. Although this is not what these scriptures are really talking about, here a few Bible verses that might be humorously used about football.