“School days, school days,
Good ol’ golden rule days,
Reading and writing and ‘rithmetic,
Taught to the tune of the hick’ry stick.”
–Old American ditty
Not quite true anymore. As things/the world gets more complex around us it seems that school needs to follow in its wake. Is it for the good? Only time will tell. I’m not sure where things are going however. I’ve talked to a few individuals this summer that had some interesting insight into the work force. One individual last week just told me that his wife is in charge of personnel of a large corporation. She said if it were in her power she would not hire anyone under the age of 35. However, with the laws she must, and that keeps her busy because 90% of the group under 35 do not stay on the job, or they abuse the job and then must be fired.
I’m not talking about the core subjects, but about the basics of life. Where has character gone? One of the purposes of the school teacher in years-gone-by was to be “in loco parentis”–in the place of the parent. Now that doesn’t mean “crazy parents.” But in the last several years the parent and the teacher are not the authority they once were.
There is a major move to remove the authority of the parents. That movement states that children belong to the state. What does that make the parents? Just the biological means to get a populace? The other problem is with the home and parents themselves. In how many homes are there both parents? If there are, how many homes operate according to Biblical principles? That rate is growing yearly of single parent homes, and now there is that new factor of gays and transgenders raising children. You tell me how a person can properly raise a child when they can’t figure out what gender they are.
Yet, the role of the Biblically-based teacher cannot change. It is vital to the very foundation and propagation of the gospel. Christianity depends on teaching. The Great Commission states to go out “teaching” them. On my podium I keep two Scriptures that I look at constantly.
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” –1 Timothy 4:16 (HCSB)
“Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.” –James 3:1 (HCSB)
These are hard times. The world is severely attacking Christianity, and several are succumbing to it and joining its forces, while at the same time saying they are still Christian. It’s time to get off the fence. One of the jobs of the teacher is to show that. Society seems to be falling apart and immoral standards are gaining. Perhaps the Scripture that states that we are to be teaching has a prophecy for those of today as well. When it seems like the gates of hell are raging look at the rest of that verse,
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:20 (HCSB)