A young teacher shares the Word

Yudhie is a student teacher at the Immanuel Christian school in Pontianak, West Borneo, Indonesia. This is his reflection on Day 47 of his practicum with four weeks to go before he returns to his university in Tangerang, near Jakarta. In a majority Muslim nation, Christian schools are noticeably different from their counterparts in America and elsewhere. It's encouraging to see the freedom Yudhie and his students have in the classroom, and how the life in Christ and not mere religious instruction can be passed on to the next generation.

Day 47: September 21, 2010 Tuesday

The reading of Holy Scriptures in the school

It’s great when there is time for us to read and listen to the words of God whenever it’s possible, especially in the school. It’s very important for us and especially for me as a Christian teacher to listen and hear the words that the Lord has put into His people’s heart, His apostle’s heart… It will certainly make a difference in the students’ life to read and to hear the Scripture being read, and not only the interpretation of it.

That’s what I reflected on today. To sow the seed of the love toward God and the Holy Scriptures is not done only by talking about it with the students, but by actually doing the reading and hearing as it is. The words of God have the power to transform and correct us, and therefore I am very glad for today’s opportunity to share it with the students.

We explored the Epistle from holy apostle John today (1 John 4:7-21) and learned the teaching of the holy apostle about love. This time, we reflected together about the perfect love God showed us by sending His Only Begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to redeem us, and the world.

I pray to the Lord that at least by listening to the words of God and reflecting on what they say, the seeds of the love of God and the Holy Scriptures can grow in their hearts and they will have the remembrance of the God of Israel in them.

This week and some time next week my students and I will be discovering the nature of how we can nurture love by first understanding how God has first really loved us, and how we live in his love. Therefore it’s always good and important to remember the commandments of Love from the Lord: to love God with all our hearts and minds and souls and strength; and love our neighbors as ourselves.

All glory belongs to God!