September 11, 2020

Sep 11, 2020    Brian Pilon

The Sunday after Labor Day would typically signal the beginning of Sunday school. This hasn’t been a typical year so Sunday school isn’t starting just yet, but it made me recall a story of when I was asked to teach Sunday school the first time. Stacy Swenson had asked Carrie and I at the congregational picnic if we would like to teach Sunday school for the high school class. To clarify, I believe Stacy was asking Carrie and I was welcome to join her. I was a very “young” Christian and was intimidated at the thought of teaching a class. In addition, I was raised Catholic where there wasn’t any Sunday school, so I hadn’t a clue about how Sunday school works. However, Carrie was able to jump in, not intimidated at all, and being raised at Helmar, she was familiar with Sunday school. While preparing for Sunday school lessons, Carrie reminded me of the smart kid in class….you know, the one that always had the answers and could probably get by with little study. On the other hand, I needed to go over things several times and had many questions. Carrie was teaching me as much as the Sunday school class. I certainly wasn’t able or ready to be a Sunday school teacher.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written; “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Teaching Sunday school has been a lot of work, but it is certainly a blessing. Teaching keeps me accountable in learning and studying scriptures as I still need to prepare and study the scriptures for lessons. As much as I prepare, there are still times where I feel like I am being taught by the students.

If your feeling called today, but do not feel capable, do not trust in yourself. Trust in the Lord for you can see that He called the foolish, the weak and the lowly so that He would be magnified through you. If you feel called to teach Sunday school, to sing, to serve, to help a neighbor or loved one, to help a stranger, do not depend on your skill, but trust in the Lord and press on so that you may boast in the Lord!

Brian Pilon