School bus drivers are practicing their routes through our neighborhoods this week. Teachers are setting up their classrooms. The stationery aisle at Walmart is a rummaged-through mess.
It’s back to school!
God has a school: he is our teacher; we are his students. “You call me Teacher, that is what I am” (Jn 13:13) and “they shall be taught by God” (Is 54:13). I love studying in God’s school because…
- His curriculum is comprehensive. “He teaches you about all things” (1 Jn 2:27).
- His teaching style is varied – He lectures us through a book (2 Kg 22:8). He uses object lessons (Mt 6:26). He tells us stories (Lk 18:9-14). He sings to us (Zeph 3:17). And He puzzles us with riddles (Zech 5:5-8).
- His classroom is our daily life in the world (Ps 23).
- His school uniform fits well – he outfits us with garments of salvation, robes of righteousness, the armor of God, and clothes us with the Lord Jesus Christ (Is 61:10; Eph 6:10; Rm 13:14).
- His field trips take us through experiences to firm up his classroom lessons (Dt 8:2-3).
- His grading policy is demanding (“be perfect” Mt 5:48), he doesn’t grade on a curve (“according to your works” Rm 2:6), but he forgets all our mistakes (“the Lord doesn’t count their sins against them” Ps 32:2).
- His lunchroom cafeteria food is superb – “he spreads a feast before me and my cup overflows” (Ps 23:5).
- I love his Teaching Assistant – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you in all the truth” (Jn 16:13).
- I can access my Teacher day and night – “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20).
- His teaching outcome is simple – “that you may know every good thing we have in Christ” (Phm 6) “and be equipped for every good work” (2 Tm 3:17).
- And the best of all – I get him as my teacher year after year.
Let’s sharpen our pencils and head into the classroom of God.