Good Teachers
Joe Slater
	God’s people have always needed good teachers. God expected Abraham to teach his family so “that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice” (Genesis 18:19). Under the Law of Moses, the priests and Levites had a particular duty to teach God’s word to His people. God also sent prophets from time to time, and, of course, parents were still to teach their children. In the church, Christians ought to strive to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12). What does it take to be a good teacher? Here is what Jesus said in Luke 6:39-45.
	Know the way. “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” (6:39). Obviously one who does not know the way cannot teach others. A good teacher must be a diligent, prayerful student of God’s word. Using commercial material may be helpful, but it absolutely must not be a substitute for personal study and understanding of the Bible. Souls are at stake!
	Set the right example. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (6:40). Jesus, of course, is the ultimate teacher and perfect example. We will never walk on water, but God calls us to imitate His Son. As teachers, our example must summon forth the best from those we teach. We have no right to expect people to listen to what we say if they are repulsed by what we do. As Jesus said, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?” (6:41).
	Be good on the inside. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of h is heart his mouth speaks” (6:45). Corrupt teaching often goes hand-in-hand with corrupt behavior, and both result from a corrupt heart! Sometimes people can hide corrupt hearts behind a mask of righteousness (as the Pharisees did, Matthew 23:27-28). Sooner or later, though, the truth appears. A good teacher must not only look good, but be good.
	Without teaching, Christianity would wither and die. May each of us diligently study so that we know the way; may we so live as to set the right example; and may we purify our hearts to be good on the inside.
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Pew Potatoes?
You’ve heard of couch potatoes, but did you know there are also pew potatoes? You might be one if . . .
l You can’t remember what the sermon is about,
	and the preacher is still preaching.
l You can’t find your Bible because it’s propping
	up the broken leg of your couch.
l You give more to the cable company than you
	do to the Lord’s church.
l When you hear “plan of redemption,” you think 	it’s double-coupon week at the grocery
	store.
l Your idea of mission work is singing “Send the
	Light.”
l The only Peter, Paul, and Mary you are familiar
	with are the ones who sang “Puff, the
	Magic Dragon,” or if you think “Jude” is
	half of the title of a Beatles hit song.
	--via Northside church of Christ, Nashville, TN
Walking on Water
"And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus" (Matthew 14:29).
	I had the experience, a few years ago, of walking on water. Yes, it's true! I even have pictures to prove it. Of course it was in the winter time and the lake was frozen. I am told that, in time past, people even built little houses on the ice for ice fishing. Now, I don't think I would consider doing that. To be honest, I barely had enough faith to walk the few yards, that I did, from the shore. I just didn't trust the ice that much.
	But Peter? Now that's a very different story. No ice for him. Just plain water. And faith in Jesus. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we have faith in Christ. Peter accomplished the unthinkable. Unfortunately it did not last for very long. You see, Peter lost his focus. He took his eyes off of Jesus. His faith weakened. He became afraid. And, then, he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).
	Friends, Jesus does not ask that we walk on water. He does, however, ask that we have faith in him in order to accomplish that which we have set about to do. As we go through this life we must maintain faith in Christ to help us accomplish our every endeavor.  Whether it be on the job, raising a family, taking a vacation, taking a political stance, being a neighbor, doing the kingdom's work, etc., we must focus on Jesus and maintain faith in him.
	"And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).
	--Roy A. Crutcher (Mt. Carmel, IL)