Date: 2008-08-18 15:58:51
There are teachers, and there are teachers.
Have you ever sat in a computer class in which the teacher demonstrates everything to you, and you think: This is great. This teacher is a real expert. Then you go home and find you have retained nothing.
Effective teaching needs to let you discover things. You need to have a go, be allowed to make mistakes without fear, be gently guided back onto the right path so that you can move on in confidence to the next discovery. The teacher could be itching to take over at times, but that way the student will never learn to overcome problems.
So what would a teacher best put in his or her CV? “Excellent grasp of the material – supreme command of the necessary skills” – well, maybe, but how about: “I am humble and gentle”?
What a walkover. The class would be running riot.
"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29
I especially like this translation. Many of us will have heard this verse last week in our services.
I was struck this time by the recommendation Jesus gives of himself. Why should we let Jesus teach us? Because Jesus is the faultless human being and top role model? Because he is so much closer to God than we are? That’s not the way he markets his skills.
“Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
To me this is Jesus prising open the hard fists of our fear. How often do we resist being taught something because we are afraid of what the other person will think when we reveal how little we know? A teacher who is humble and gentle will help us to admit our shortcomings.
How often do we resent being shown something by someone who knows it all, or purports to know it all? Someone who does not stop to listen first before giving us advice? The opposite of humility is arrogance, knowing it all, not caring for the person in front of you. A humble teacher will listen and show us our strengths while challenging us to move on. We won’t need to keep striving to prove ourselves, and we can rest because the pace of learning is appropriate to our needs.
In other words, I think Matt. 11:29 has to be one of the most profound injunctions in the gospels.
**
There are several matters for our prayers this week. Many Indigenous sisters and brothers amongst us are pleasantly surprised to hear of the government’s change of tune with regard to the Stolen Wages, though disappointed at the modest amounts being offered.
We are reminded this week too of the pain of a neighbouring country so often forgotten in our media. Meanwhile we pray that peace will hold in Georgia and Russia, where ancient Christian traditions are still strong.
It is great to hear of the creative international youth initiative on water organized by the WCC – may it bring forth leaders able to articulate and act on what it means to be stewards. We are also encouraged to read of an Israeli initiative to forge reconciliation between people of the three Abrahamic faiths in that troubled region. There is indeed hope to celebrate.
At the same time we remember our ecumenical counterpart in the USA as they seek to speak prophetically in the lead-up to the Presidential election.
Finally, we bring to your attention two workshops training people to help others to live non-violently in everyday contexts.
AND DON’T FORGET to come to our Service of Prayer for the Protection of the Environment at the Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane on Sunday, 31st August at 6:00pm, with refreshments afterwards at the Greek Club. This will be a great and meaningful time of sharing.
May we all discover this week how light the yoke of learning is that Jesus asks us to bear.
Glenine Hamlyn
Those who missed out on funding from the Queensland Government's Stolen Wages reparations fund in the first round can re-apply, or apply for the first time, in a new round lasting till early 2009.
Papuans are being traumatized by increasing marginalization in their own land, Revd Prof. James Haire told the Indonesian government.
Churches world wide are calling for an end to violence in Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The Ecumenical Water Network has brought together young people from all over the world in creative expression of what water means to them.
Read about a high-profile organization in Israel that brings together people from all three Abrahamic faiths to “transform religion's role from a force of division and extremism into a source of reconciliation…”
Interfaith leaders in the USA have written a letter to the two presidential candidates calling on them to commit themselves to programmes to combat the "scourge" of poverty in their country.
By AVPQ
2 introductory workshops are coming up that will be of value to anyone wanting to make a difference by sharing their wisdom and facilitating other people’s learning. Participants find, share and practice ways to deal with local, personal and community conflicts. 2 day workshops starting 27th - 28th Sept, or starting 25th -26th Oct.
