Proclaiming the Good News

something that might surprise you: what we're going to talk about today is how we're all called to be teachers. Every single one of us is called to teach others about God - not just pastors and Sunday school teachers, but YOU too!

Now, our pastor went to seminary - that's like college but specifically for learning about God and the Bible. He studied for years and years to learn about theology, church history, and how to preach sermons. We haven't been to seminary, so how can we possibly be qualified to teach about God? What could we possibly say that would matter?

I ask myself that question all the time. I love being a teacher - it truly feels like God's calling on my life. But it's also a huge honor and a massive responsibility. Sometimes when I think about how important it is to teach you correctly about God, and how I might mess up or say something wrong, I get so nervous I wonder if I should teach at all. When I think about the sacred trust your parents place in me every Sunday morning - trusting me to help shape your understanding of who God is - honestly, it's so overwhelming I might just faint right here!

But here's the amazing news: the apostle Paul gives us incredible encouragement about this. In Philippians 1:18, he basically says that even when people teach about Christ for the wrong reasons or in imperfect ways, he still rejoices because Christ is being proclaimed. Paul understood that we don't have to be perfect teachers with perfect motives to share God's love.

Think about this: You know things about God that your friends at school don't know. You know that God loves them. You know that Jesus died for their sins. You know that prayer works. You know Bible stories that could encourage someone who's having a hard day. That makes you qualified to teach!

Maybe you teach by inviting a friend to church. Maybe you teach by showing kindness to someone who's being bullied, demonstrating God's love in action. Maybe you teach by sharing how God answered one of your prayers. Maybe you teach by standing up for what's right when others are doing wrong.

Here's a question for you to think about: What's one thing about God that you're absolutely sure is true? That's something you could teach someone else! It doesn't have to be complicated theology - it could be as simple as "God loves you" or "Jesus is always with you."

The apostle Paul reminds us that the most important thing isn't being a perfect teacher - it's being willing to share what we know about God's love. When we do that, even imperfectly, God can use our words and actions to change hearts.

So here's your challenge this week: Look for one opportunity to be a teacher about God. It might be answering a friend's question, sharing something you learned in Sunday school, or simply showing God's love through your actions. Remember, you're not too young and you don't need a seminary degree - you just need a heart willing to share God's love.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to be brave teachers, willing to share the good news of Your love and Jesus' resurrection with others. Give us the right words to say and help us remember that You can use us, even when we're not perfect. Amen.