Our Lives are the Best Curriculum

A good reminder for all Christian leaders by Pete Johnson from YouthWorker.com. His article begins,

This issue of YouthWorker Journal contains some great articles about resources, methods and techniques, which can improve our effectiveness in working with teens; but I want to remind all of my fellow youth workers that all this stuff doesn’t mean a thing unless we teach “the living curriculum of our souls” in our daily lives before students.

This “living curriculum” is written not with pen and ink. It is not printed on paper, displayed on a big screen, found in the latest online tool or transmitted through some dynamic teaching technique. Rather it is found etched on our hearts, souls, minds and strength by the Spirit of the living God.

Click to continue reading.

PHILIPPIANS 29: Follow My Example (3:17-21)

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Phil 3:17-21).

When we’re children we’re encouraged to find good role models to emulate.  When we grow up we still do well to have godly people whose faith and virtue we try to follow.  Interestingly, however, we might question the humility of a person who boldly tells an entire community of believers, “Join with others in following my example” (v. 17).  But this is precisely Paul’s invitation above.  ”Follow me!”  And I think to myself, “How arrogant and rude!”  But perhaps I’m missing his point altogether.

Upon further reflection I believe Paul is not primarily lifting up himself as the example to follow but rather drawing their attention to “the pattern we gave you” (v. 17). In other words, Paul urges people to follow his example insofar as his own conduct aligns with this same pattern of life. So, where does this pattern originate?