The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection for Monday, 16 February 2015 - "We'll tell the next generation"

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection for Monday, 16 February 2015 - "We'll tell the next generation"
Daily Scripture: Psalm 78: (0) A maskil of Asaf:

(1) Listen, my people, to my teaching;

turn your ears to the words from my mouth.

2 I will speak to you in parables

and explain mysteries from days of old.

3 The things which we have heard and known,

and which our fathers told us

4 we will not hide from their descendants;

we will tell the generation to come

the praises of Adonai and his strength,

the wonders that he has performed.

5 He raised up a testimony in Ya‘akov

and established a Torah in Isra’el.

He commanded our ancestors

to make this known to their children,

6 so that the next generation would know it,

the children not yet born,

who would themselves arise

and tell their own children,

7 who could then put their confidence in God,

not forgetting God’s deeds,

but obeying his mitzvot.

Proverbs 9:9 Give to a wise man, and he grows still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will learn still more.

10 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of holy ones is understanding.

Reflection Questions:
God's people have always valued teaching and learning. In Israel of old, the focus of education was not to satisfy random human curiosity, but to understand and pass on the knowledge of God's powerful acts to future generations. They clearly believed that God wants us to use our minds regularly, faithfully and well. The God-given work of teaching and learning goes on today, as Pastor Hamilton saw at Africa University.

• Psalm 78 said that while learning has present benefits, it is mainly future-focused. One reason God's followers through the centuries have played a major role in starting many types of schools is that faith teaches them to care about future generations, not merely their own comfort and security. How important is it to you that your faith not just make your life better, but reach those who will be here after you're gone?
• Commentator Donald Williams wrote, "What is the purpose for this teaching?...it creates "hope in God," revealing the living God who keeps His covenant and redeems His people. Second, it reminds Israel of God's 'works' ('saving deeds'), protecting her from forgetting Him. Third, it leads to obedience." What people have played the most central roles in doing those three kinds of teaching in your life? How have you thanked them for teaching you?

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, I want to be wise, with the kind of deep inner wisdom that finds its source in you and your principles. Keep shaping me into a genuinely wise servant of your kingdom. Amen.Insight from Donna Karlen

Donna Karlen serves in Communications at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
I am all about lifelong learning. Growing up with a teacher mom and a teacher/coach/principal/superintendent dad – both of them earning advanced degrees – I got the lifelong learning gene (if there is such a thing; I’ll check for a class or webinar on that). Every fall I get the urge to go “back to school” right along with all the lucky kiddos in my neighborhood. I go to all the seminars offered by an association that I belong to, and I’m always signing up for webinars or downloading articles on one thing or another. And the minute we’re no longer paying tuition for one kid or the other, I plan to go for my master’s degree.
So lately I’ve been feeling pulled to learn about more than Photoshop techniques or the best way to use Twitter. I want to channel my craving for learning stuff toward soaking up some God stuff. I plan to celebrate my birthday next Wednesday by starting the Journey 101: Knowing Godclass. And what about this intriguing course description for the “Explore Your Future” class offered by our Crossroads Ministry: “Explore possibilities and discover new ways to fuse your God-given gifts, talents and experiences with your interests and passions”?
Now that sounds like it’s right up my lifelong learning alley!
Education is key. We heard from Pastor Adam yesterday about the difference it has made forstudents at Africa University – and the difference those students are going to make when they take what they’ve learned and transform their communities! At Resurrection we believe so strongly in the power of education to change lives, that we gave away our entire Christmas offering to support educational initiatives in Kansas City and beyond.
So let’s all get out there and get us some learnin’!
Church of the Resurrection

gpsonline@cor.org

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection

13720 Roe Avenue

Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
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