Originality – A trap for teachers?
“So all conscientious Christian teachers, once they have been delivered from the unhealthy lust for originality, take pains to make old truths new and stale truths fresh.” – John Stott (via Jerusha Sheffer)
When we are teaching our children our goal is past on God’s Word. This is important because we are trying to instill confidence in God, not in ourselves. At some point our example will be tarnished. At some point others will seem wiser than us. Paul was careful to present God’s Word in such a way that he was not the point of another’s faith. Although the full second chapter of 1 Corinthians is well worth reading please take note of the following:
1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (RSV)
Often in teaching there is the temptation to impress. This can be done through fancy words, sophisticated logic, and originality, to mention a few approaches. This is the flesh seeking some form of preeminence. Such striving for preeminence takes glory from God and seeks to bring it to ourselves.
Teach your children accurately and with humility. Give God the glory for what He shows you to teach. Make sure that you teach so that your children’s confidence is in God. Teach so that their faith comes from believing God. (Romans 10:17)