Christian Education is a key underlying component of our teaching, preaching and outreach ministries.  Through these ministries we reach out to our family of faith, members of our community, and people throughout the world.  Reaching with teaching is the basis of our educational stewardship.  And “Reaching with Teaching” is the sermon title for this weekend’s worship.
 
The ways we teach and touch lives doesn’t happen like teaching mathematical facts.  Experience is at the heart of faith.  As teachers we can only offer an experience that hopefully leads others to seek and respond.  Over 25 years ago (in the church I was serving) we were lifting up our church school teachers and invited them to reflect on why they taught.  One response so touched me that I’ve kept it all these years.  Here’s what a long time church member said,
                        

“Being a Sunday School teacher for three year old children 
 is so rewarding to me. I see God through a child’s eyes. 
At this early age we teach how God made our world, 
and it is a world for us to protect and take care of, 
knowing that God will always take care of us. If, in some way, 
a child will remember the love that comes from us being together 
 on Sundays or some of the things we share with each other, 
this is my greatest desire. Having faith in God comes at an early age, 
and I hope that I am helping to give them that faith.”

 
Jesus in his ministry was always reaching with teaching by challenging, questioning and living by example with love, compassion and doing what was right in the eyes of God.  We have wonderful dedicated teachers in our church school – and many of you have taught in the past.  As I will submit in this week’s sermon, we are all teachers in one form or another.  The lives we live and the examples we set speak louder than words and have the potential to truly touch lives.  Such teaching provides gifts because we have been given gifts and are simply passing them on.  In considering those who have touched us in significant ways, we realize that as we have been blessed – so too, we can be a blessing.
 
In a few days you will receive a letter from Michael Moorhead and me about the 2022 stewardship needs.  We hope you will read it and seriously consider how you can be a blessing to our church.  Our giving is a vital part of our faith – and when we all pull together with increasing strength and commitment, we will be a blessing during “A Season of Growth”
 
In Gratitude for all our Gifts!

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister

This piece originally appeared in The Wave on October 27, 2021.