LET THEM LIVE IT OUT
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.... Then he (Elisha) took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over,” (2 Kings 2:8,14, ESV).
Theme: Set an example for the next generation and give them a chance to live it out.
SET AN EXAMPLE
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15, ESV). It’s a trite expression, “caught not taught.” It rhymes. Maybe you have heard it too many times. Yet, there is a reason it resonates, and it’s not just because it is exactly what Jesus is saying after He begins to wash the disciples' feet. He serves them, does a servant’s chore, exactly as He wants them to do. Jesus tells them to copy Him. Then He explains what He is trying to teach them. It is an object lesson. We are to learn from this example as students and as mentors. Set an example for those you lead - like Jesus did.
LEARN BY DOING
As an undergraduate at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, the widely used and still prevalent (I googled it) motto I learned and put into practice was, “learn by doing.” It was first popularized by philosopher John Dewey, whose leadership resulted in progressive educational reform. This method directed students to projects that could become real businesses, inventions, or scientific studies. Today’s scripture depicts a mentor and his protégé providing an example of this method. Elijah shows his apprentice how to part water; Elisha follows his example and does the same thing he watched Elijah do. Elisha “learned by doing.” Elijah “set an example.”
LET THEM
It is hard to be like Jesus. God teaches us little lessons about Himself when He allows us some authority. We aren’t ready to lead like Jesus, but God gives us a chance anyway. Sometimes we mess up. Sometimes we learn by making mistakes and being rescued. Sometimes we learn by taking a big risk and rising to the challenge. I’m humbled by the ways God allows me to lead in life groups, Cove Students, as a parent, and in my family. I don’t always get it right.
My daughter is learning to drive. She has done all the required coursework. Now comes the practical driving lessons, in a real car, with me. I’m not at all prepared to “let her” drive. However, her school driving instructor, Mr. Cromwell, assured me that she will be fine and will learn behind the wheel. She was nervous. I was nervous. She drove on the road today and surprised herself with her own capacity. If we want them to learn, we need to set an example, learn by doing, and then let them fly (or drive).
Experience, especially when combined with a dependent, deep relationship with God, is an effective teacher. When we love like our Father God, we mentor differently. We let the next generation, those we lead, take the wheel.
Make It Personal: No matter what stage of life you are in, there are those ahead of you and those behind you. Consider the ones you are called to mentor and lead. What kind of an example are you setting for them, both intentionally and unintentionally? Do you encourage them to “learn by doing”? How about when the time comes to “let them,” even if you are nervous that they might not perform well? Being trusted to mentor others is God’s way of letting us learn by doing and set an example. Follow Him.
Pray: Dear God, thank You for trusting us with tasks. You give us good work even though we make lots of mistakes. Help us to improve and set a good example for the people behind us. Help us to encourage and support them, and let them learn by doing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: John 13:12-17; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9
Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, ESV