Train for Godliness

1 Timothy 4:7-8 instructs "...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Is it possible for students (middle school, high school, or otherwise) to train to be godly?  Do they have the desire to get serious about God?  What are students taught about God?  What does God look like?  What does Satan look like?  Does God get bumped off the schedule because He can always wait?  Is God as urgent as homework, violin practice, lacrosse practice, friends, television, etc?  I would argue what kids value and how they decide something is worthy of their time, talent, and effort is modeled in the home and the community. 

I listened to a person unequivocally state it takes six people to change a life... six.  I don't know where that number originated.  I always ask myself when statements are boldly presented as the truth... is that man's wisdom or God's wisdom?  I am not sure "six" isn't just the opinion of some author.  May I suggest the number has always been one.  I believe it takes one person to change a life.  One adult... just one godly obedient adult is needed to change a person's life.

How does a godly, obedient adult change a student's life?  Prayer is the vital ingredient because prayer produces a relationship with God.  The adult has to have the discipline to develop and sustain a consistent prayer life.  Nothing happens without discipline.  Nothing.  Not success, not winning, not good grades, and certainly not a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the one who saves children, not adults.  Adults can introduce Jesus to students.  Adults can pass on godly wisdom.  Adults can guide, discuss, encourage, and support the student... but it is always Jesus that saves a student. 

Discipline is an essential character trait of a godly person.  For the student to earn an "A" requires the commitment and the discipline to study.  A student perfectly performing "Il Trillo Di Diavolo" requires hours of disciplined practice.  How many hours of perfect practice were required?  How many people were present during those hours?  I will speculate most of his practice was solitary, with no audience.  The irony is that discipline creates joy.  The quicker the student understands this concept, the better their life.  This, this, and this are a direct result from discipline.  All of those people in the videos were disciplined, they were dedicated, they sacrificed to experience joy.  Discipline produces freedom and freedom produces joy. 

 

Again, without discipline, neither the adult nor the student can develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Without discipline, one can't sustain and strengthen that relationship.  Students have to know the discipline of spending time with God is worthy.  The Bible says nothing is more profitable.  

May God bless you.  Have a good and godly day.

First Post

This is not the topic I thought would become my first post. A Commit Manual originated simply because I wanted to teach my children what I wasn't taught. I am not referring to counting cards in a casino or how to change brake rotors. I am referring to the teachings/lessons found in the Bible with the goal to prepare them to lead a productive life... a life that will honor and please God.

A question arose with our family as we drove home from church today... Can a person be saved and not display the character of Christ in their daily life? That discussion lasted until I pulled in the garage and it continued during dinner. No real conclusion was drawn.  Grace versus God's Law was debated. The death of Jesus was discussed.  Good deeds versus faith was mentioned.  

We discussed examples of people we admired because of their devotion to Jesus and how some believers progress in their faith faster than others. Then there were names, peers of our children, that do not display the character of Jesus. Peers that simply aren't nice, exclusionary, or judgmental. Then there are those peers that do their best to be obedient. Peers that displayed a genuine affection for others and for God. After dinner, my wife and I discussed our parenting, the advice we've given over the years, the discipline and the praise, and if our children put Christ first.  

Does a difference exist between Truth and Judgement? Yes. The character inherent in each (truth or judgment) vastly differs. One will set you free while the other will not. Truth is encouraging and supportive, even if painful to hear or say.  Truth improves. Truth strengthens. Truth fosters confidence and humility.  

Judgement is the opposite. It's a cloak for insecurity. It belittles, demeans, and destroys... it elevates the judge over the one being judged. I agree with Dr. Greg Boyd who says the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil should be called the Tree of Judgement.

All are difficult topics to comprehend for a teenage girl of 15 and her 11yr old brother. It is times like this, discussions like this, I wish the simple stories about Noah, Jonah, Joseph and Mary, and the other Bible stories children learn were still applicable.    

This Commit Manual consists of thoughts, ideas, experiences I have learned mostly through trial and error over the years as I earnestly pursued God.  Some would label that as well earned wisdom.  Maybe... but what I know is not earth shattering.  The insights are not new.  Some may consider them to be boring, even cliche.  The wisdom I now possess would have helped me a great deal as I matured from an adolescent into a young man and as a young husband and father.  It is my sincere hope God will impact lives via what He writes through me.

One final point, I have never led anyone to Jesus... that is the Holy Spirit's responsibility.  It is my responsibility to raise my children to know Jesus Christ and to introduce as many people to the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ... 

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:11

May God bless you.  Have a good and godly day.