4 Powerful Lessons From The Good Teacher

As the school year ends, many teachers will take their students through a review of what they’ve learned during the past year. Many children don’t even realize how just much their teachers have prepared them for the next school year and for the years to come.

My daughter will be in high school in the fall. Panic follows thoughts of driver’s ed, dating, and college applications. Sometimes I immediately turn to Jesus when my thoughts churn into a tornado. Other times, I get lost in the storm. I’m learning, too, so perhaps the end of the school year is a good time for me to look back on what Jesus has taught me this past year to help prepare me for next year and for the years to come. There isn’t enough time to tell you everything that Jesus has taught me this past year, but I’ll share the most impactful lessons I’ve learned about prayer, Satan, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”T1A0Z” via=”no” ]The school year is at an end, but kids aren’t the only ones with teachers. What have you learned this year?[/ctt]

4 Lessons I’ve Learned From Jesus This Year

1.) What I Learned About Prayer

I thought that prayer was pointless.

I was taught that prayers must be recited repeatedly from rote memorization, almost like a chant. I wasn’t smart enough to know how to pray for myself, and God is much too busy for the petty matters of my little life. Upon occasion, I may pray to the patron saint of something-or-other in hopes that the spirit may plead my case to God on my behalf, but generally, prayer must respectfully be left for the educated clergy.

I’ve learned that prayer is intimate.

God is concerned about every detail of my life and every hair on my head, because He created all of it for His glory. He wants my prayers to come from my heart, anytime, anywhere, for any reason. He wants so much for me to come directly to Him, that His only Son died to give me direct access. God wants me to praise Him for who He is, tell Him all of my heart’s desires, thank Him for all that He has done, and will do, and then just rest in the trust that He is always faithful. But even if I can’t find the words to express myself, it’s okay. His Holy Spirit will intercede for me in ways that I couldn’t begin to comprehend.

2.) What I learned about Satan

I thought that Satan didn’t exist.

I once heard that Satan’s greatest success with humanity was convincing so many of us that he doesn’t exist. Satan is only in the movies. He doesn’t actually do anything now, so there’s nothing to be concerned with.

I’ve learned that Satan is as real as my next thought.

His only real weapon is the power of suggestion, but he’s had thousands of years worth of practice. He’s more persistent than a mosquito in the middle of the night and just as effective and deadly as a worm on a hook. He knows that many of God’s children will consistently take the bait.

But…

Satan has already been defeated, and I have the winning battle plan along with all of heaven’s artillery on the tip of my tongue.

3.) What I learned about Scripture

I thought that Scripture was outdated and irrelevant.

Scripture is nothing but old stories written about by, for, and about a bunch of dead people from 2,000 years ago. It has nothing to do with me or with my life as a woman in the 21st century. I only go to my Bible in desperation when everything else failed.

I’ve learned that Scripture is practical and powerful.

I’ve learned the meaning of the saying “God’s Word Works”. I submit to you a few questions as illustrations: Who would possibly know more about the newest iPhone than the very technicians who invented it? Who could tell you more about how an airplane works than the people who created it?

Who could tell you more about marriage than the God who created it? Would anyone have better parenting advice than the one who created zillions of children? God’s Word is His handbook to us. But just like iPhones and airplanes, you have to take the time to study and learn how it works and what you need to do. I’ve learned that when I finally give up and just do things God’s way, it always works. I’ve learned to go to the Bible first, and do as the Lord says, no matter how useless or strange it sounds to me. I’ve learned that indeed His way is always better than my way.

4.) What I learned about The Holy Spirit

I thought that the Holy Spirit was like “The Force” in “Star Wars” and just as real.

People who talk about the voice and the activity of the Holy Spirit are also taking a unicorn to work at their yellow submarine where Elvis is their valet.

I’ve learned that I can only recognize the voice and activity of the Holy Spirit by spending time with Him.

I’ve also learned that the Holy Spirit is active in my everyday life and well-being when I let Him. After reading and studying the Bible and spending time in prayer, I learned to discern the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit. When I pay attention and obey, amazing things happen, and awful things are avoided.

Learning Comes with Responsibility

Real learning is displayed by a change in behavior. In fact, the Bible says that when we learn something, we are then responsible to do it, and it’s actually a sin not to. My daughter gets straight A’s every year. Me? Well, when you average out my Failures and my Accomplishments, I’m probably more of a C student in Jesus’ classroom. But I keep trying. I’ll share one way I try to apply each of the above lessons.

I’ve learned that prayer is intimate.

I write, of course! Every entry in my prayer journal is a rambling, disorganized, overly-dramatic, mess of mistakes. Just like me.

I’ve learned that Satan is as real as my next thought.

I slay him with the Word of God in my thoughts and with my mouth. When I’m really struggling, I just whisper His name over and over.

I’ve learned that Scripture is practical and powerful.

When I have an issue, I find Scriptures that speak to it and then pray. Soon after, I suddenly get an amazing idea that always works if I follow it exactly. The success rate alone is definitive proof that the idea isn’t really mine, but God’s.

I’ve learned that I can only recognize the voice and activity of the Holy Spirit by spending time with Him.

I’m actively working to build time with God into my daily routine. I read a lot of works by Christian authors, but I don’t read the Work of the Author of life as often as I should. I listen to Christian music, but I don’t regularly sit in prayer to hear His voice. I’m very inconsistent where it matters most, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will improve.

What Have You Learned Recently?

Let’s learn from each other and offer suggestions! Can you think of one thing Jesus has taught you recently? Comment below with one way to put it into practice and apply it in your everyday life.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”6N9ck” via=”no” ]What has Jesus taught you recently?[/ctt]

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