2) Are You Teaching Others to Sin?
I don't ever remember reading this scripture before --- yet I know I must have. This is after the
Beatitudes, and before Jesus explains the 10 commandments from His own
mouth.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so,
he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:19)
God has really blessed us by having opportunities to teach the 10 Commandments hand gestures!
What I see in that scripture is, when we break the commandments and others see us - they will use "us" as an excuse to break the commandments too - in other words - we
may teach others to sin by our actions.
But, when we break the commandments, and then confess our sins (expose ourselves) and
explain our remorse, it opens up the way to share the commandments with others.
We can teach others that we are sorry for offending God when we sinned against HIM!
Not only can we share our testimony and the gospel, but we also can teach
others how to remember GOD's Commandments, how to protect ourselves and those around us from the consequences of our personal sin, and also what it means to ask for forgiveness and repent.
I never knew how much we pleased God for sharing what we KNOW about the commandments!
...but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
I believe that God showed me through Matthew 5:19, that teaching the commandments is SO foundational to the kids to clarify how we are ALL sinners --- before we can understand we NEED a Savior we must see our own sin!
It is obvious that we cannot stress the commandments enough! Previously I have used the explanation taught through CEF ministries to explain
sin: anything we think, do, or say that makes God sad. Although that statement is very true - it seems so "soft".
After having our club in public school for 9 years, and getting to know so many kids that have had no exposure to GOD's Word, I now feel our kids (8-11 year olds) should hear the specific sins that make God sad....the 10 commandments!
Matthew 5:19 showed me that if we understand the specific sins - we are more fully equipped to make better choices in our lives.
It has been so sad to see the life experiences of so many of the kids we have met in public school. Their real life experiences are not watered down. Most of these kids are being "taught" through their environment - how to behave in life...and it is
heartbreaking!
Kids deserve to hear the TRUTH (and Consequences) of sin as explained in the Bible. AND also to hear, and to read for themselves in God's Word, the alternative that will "save" their lives.
Then, perhaps GOD will use the kids to teach their families to turn to GOD!
Only GOD knows the plans HE has for them! But we have the honor of being placed upon their pathway -- "for such a time as this"!
Emmalea Butler
--from SSTN: Emmalea has submitted many excellent ideas to SSTN over
the years. We are grateful for her commitment to children's ministry! To find her work, just type her name into the search box at the
bottom of this newsletter or from our home page at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com.
And, make sure you check out posting #4 in today's newsletter.
