Renewing Our Passion: Following the Example of a Dedicated Sunday School Teacher

This blog is written by Bro Mark Morris.

Recently, I came across the story of a minister who was an instructor at a Sunday school training convention.

During a break, he and several preachers went across the street for their noon meal. As they entered the small restaurant, he noticed an elderly lady walking in carrying a bag from the convention.

He was curious about her being in this Sunday school convention at her age. So he asked her if she would like to sit with them while they ate lunch.

As they visited, the minister found out that this lady was 83 years old, and she was part of a church that had a Sunday school average of 65. She was also the teacher of 13 junior high boys.

With her desire to be at this convention, she had traveled by Greyhound bus all night so that she might attend.

When they ask her why she came to the convention her response was “ to learn something that would make me a better teacher”.

The results of her teaching shows 84 boys who had gone through her class are now full-time vocational ministers. Also, 21 of the young men have graduated from seminary.

I believe the secret to her success was her desire to be a better communicator.

As I read this story, I had to ask myself this question, am I doing what I do at my age for myself or am I willing to invest in me so that I can better the next generation?

If an elderly lady of 83 can still have a passion to communicate the love of Jesus, then I must make sure that my desire stays strong. To impact the coming generation is the greatest gifting we can possess. I must be careful not to navigate into the waters of self-care and self preservation. A servant is what we have been called to be.

The profitable servant must never lose his desire to serve. Also, my desire or passion must be for the edifying or the lifting up of others.

If an 83-year-old Sunday school teacher can ride a greyhound bus overnight to attend a Sunday school convention to be a better teacher to 13 junior high boys, Lord help me to never lose my zeal to communicate the gospel to a lost world.

Let us take this lady’s example and let it challenge us to get out of ourselves and do our best to communicate to those that are coming behind us.

In what areas are you having an impact on the next generation?