Teacher. Is there a more honorable designation than
that? I am sure we all have teachers in the past (and the present) that
we really appreciate for what they have taught us, and the way they have
taught us.
I remember
seeing a quote about the impact that a teacher can have: “I touch the
future. I teach.” – Christa McAuliffe
Jesus was
often called, “Teacher” or “Rabbi.” “Now behold, one came and said to
Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal
life?’” (Matthew 19:16). Jesus taught spiritual truths that brought
people to God.
The greatest
teachers are those that practice what they teach. Jesus embodied what
He taught. The inspired writer Luke made reference to his Gospel
account as he opened the book of Acts: “In my former book, Theophilus, I
wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1 NIV).
Jesus was a “doer” and a “teacher.” Jesus said to His disciples, “You
call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then,
your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another's feet” (John 13:13-14). With Jesus, it was not only “do as I
say (teach)” but also “do as I do.”
Pat Smith was a serious Bible student and
a Bible teacher. She
taught classes for young people for many years at Sage Avenue Church of
Christ. She taught the Ladies Class for many years for the Creekwood
Church of Christ. She also modeled what she taught, in and out of the
classroom.
Listen to some of her students.
“Pat was one of the most
knowledgeable and informative Bible teachers I have ever had. I have
missed her wealth of knowledge” (Freda Butts). “I have many memories of
Pat but I guess the most prevalent one is her vast knowledge of the
Scriptures. She taught the Ladies’ Class for many years and I learned
so much from her. Those days we studied the Bible not books, and you
could tell she put in a lot of time studying. She was truly a role
model of how a Christian should live. She was devoted to her husband
and I remember her saying they read and studied the Bible together every
day” (Barbara Howell).
If you were to ask Pat, “Good Teacher, what good
thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”, here is what I believe
Pat would say: “God’s Word says that it is only through Jesus that we
can be saved and receive eternal life (John 14:6; Romans 6:23). We must
place our faith
and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our
sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be
baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word – and you need to study God’s Word! – the
blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7-9).”
There is no
greater teacher than one who, from the Scriptures, will point you to God
and His will. Pat Smith was one of the great ones.
There is no
better response than to listen to your teacher and submit your life to
God.
Won’t YOU?
-- David A. Sargent
* In loving memory of Pat Smith (April 15, 1938 – January
4, 2021), a beloved teacher of the Scriptures. Thank you, Pat, for
teaching and modeling what the Bible says about living the Christian
life. Thank you for touching our future. Until we meet again.
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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