Faithful Teachers And Faithful Students
By Kh. Linda Funk
My older sister was born without her left hand. She has accomplished more things with one hand than I have with two! But she and I would both say that two hands are better than one. The Orthodox Christian Education Commission under SCOBA says that, in its new curriculum, it holds out two hands to every student: firm knowledge of the faith, and spiritual maturity.
The first hand, knowledge of our faith, helps keep us on the right path. It can correct our errors and point us farther along in the right direction. It is essential. We live our life surrounded and protected by it. It encompasses everything we do, but it is not our life.
The other hand, spiritual maturity, is the goal of our life. It is probably what all of us hope to impart to those for whom we are responsible. ‘Teaching’ spiritual maturity is different from teaching doctrine, though. It is far more fluid. It is unique in every situation and with every person. It is not something that organization-lovers, like me, do naturally.
Sr. Magdalen of St. John the Baptist Monastery in Essex, England was one of the keynote speakers at the Orthodox Institute at Antiochian Village last November. She gave us wonderful insight into the fluidity and joy of teaching. She talked about it being a meeting together, not only of minds, but also of hearts and bodies. Even when we have prepared a lesson, we must be in a state of love and prayer for a true meeting of persons. When we are together, we must listen with both ears--one ear open to the person, and the other open to God. It is about life and grace, not formulas. There are no recipes, she said, except to be in the Holy Spirit and in inner prayer and love.
Each of us in a holy community is a teacher, whether we are designated as such or not. We transmit the faith in countless ways, many of which are non-verbal. Inner prayer and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit are essential in all our dealings. These, however, do not start at the moment we encounter one another. They start in the quietness of our own icon corners and prayer closets, and incubate during the repetition of our daily tasks.
The title of the basic and advanced teacher workshops that the OCEC offers is, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness.” It’s a good title because it is an implicit reminder that, in reality, we are both teachers and students. Our teaching must flow out of a grace-filled life and reflect that we, ourselves, are on the path of salvation and godliness. May God help all of us to be both faithful teachers and faithful students.