The Challenge

Teaching college-aged Sunday school class is not an easy task.  Sure, I could use the provided curriculum, cover the three points, pray, and go home.  That’s the easy way of doing things. (I’m not saying anything is wrong with the curriculum, but the way the teacher presents the material is what could make or break a lesson).  I remember when I started my college experience in 2005 away from home, my initial thought was that I was going to get into a church, grow on fire for God and be a leader on campus.  Unfortunately my Sunday school teacher was also the church history teacher and I found it difficult to relate to his structure of lesson.  It felt as though I was sitting in class and when I got called on to read, I was going to be getting a bad grade on the way I pronounced the Old Testament names.  Sure, I went regularly and even joined in on a Wednesday night or two along the way, but I grew apart from God during this time. 

I know what you’re thinking… it’s not the Sunday school teachers’ fault that you weren’t growing closer to God.  I agree!!!  But I was blinded to that detail at the time.  I had always relied on my leadership in the church building to guide and direct me.  It took me a couple of years, but by the time I got to my 3^rd year in my undergraduate program, I realized that I needed to make a conservative effort to keep my spirituality in check.  Thanks to an amazing Christian roommate, I was able to get through my struggles and turn to God rather than being converted into the drinking / partying college student.  College provides every opportunity in the world to fall away from your beliefs and although I thought about the worldly pleasures I could partake in, I was able to keep focused on the eternal, living God who remains my stronghold. 

Being in a leadership position in the church is not to be taken lightly.  In Paul’s writings to Timothy, he outlines how a leader is to be set apart.  I pray continuously that God change my heart of a daily basis to be a better communicator of His Word.  I personally struggle with presentation style.  I know that the Word speaks for itself, but it is hard to keep focused on a Sunday morning.  It’s called Sunday “school” but that doesn’t mean the material needs to be treated like just another lesson week to week.  The opportunity is here for me to show someone else how exciting God’s Word is and how it can be discussed in a different format than what we are all used to.  Kudos to those who present God’s Word as it is intended to be discussed; with excitement, energy, and enthusiasm.  I long to do the same.  Maybe this is just “meaningless and chasing after the wind,” but in order for me to get others excited about God, I need to be excited about God!!!

I want to be the guy that the incoming college student looks up to and says, “You helped me to keep focused on the eternal reward in the midst of every possible opportunity that Satan brought my way.  I was looking for a leader and I found one in you.  I was looking for direction and you provided it.  I was looking for a man of God, and I found one.  When I needed someone to talk to, you were always there to listen.”  I need to live up to the expectations of God on a daily basis.  I realize that I’ll struggle and will continue to sin, but because of the forgiveness that I have accepted; God has called me and set me apart from the world to fulfill a purpose.  That purpose right now… is to teach, to live, and to be an exemplar for those who are going through what I have already been through. 

Lord… help me, lead me, direct me, set me apart, and shine through me.  Amen.