Jesus, the Master Teacher, provides us with the model of how to reach people. He taught in the synagogue and in the temple courts; however, His sharing was not limited to these venues. In fact, it was not uncommon for Jesus to visit in homes. He went to Zacchaeus’ house, to the home of Peter, and on several occasions, to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
Kathryn McColskey
Richard NeSmithSometimes Jesus taught from the bow of a boat, the side of a hill, while sitting beside a well, or while walking through a vineyard. One day He visited and healed a crippled man who had for years been lying by the local pool. Only by going to where this man laid was Jesus able to reach him. Throughout the gospels, it is reported that Jesus went to where the people were, and there He met their needs.
Christians need to meet the unsaved where they are. For example, as a Sunday school teacher you teach as Jesus taught in the temple or synagogue. But if Jesus is our example of excellence in teaching and sharing, one must go to where people are (physically and spiritually). Are they involved in sports? Then attend a game to cheer for them. Are they involved in a musical group? Then attend a concert to hear them perform. For those reluctant Sunday school members who attend rarely, meeting for lunch or visiting a location where they will be has multiple benefits.
Your presence demonstrates a sincere interest in them and confirms that you care about them personally. Often these times of interaction lead to opportunities to share some form of Christian encouragement. These are not times to heap coals of guilt on “wayward sinners” for not being in church, but rather a teachable moment, meeting an emotional or spiritual need, or just being nearby for support.
If we are to be like Christ, then we need to meet the needs of those whom God puts in our path. Meeting needs is not the gospel, but Jesus always met the needs of others so that He could share the gospel. The problem arises: How could I possibly meet the needs of others with my own inadequacies? There are too many needs for one person to meet all of them. How can I know where I am to go or to whom I need to minister?
Scripture provides the solution through the modeling of Jesus, as He often disappeared to spend time with the Father. It was from these daily retreats that Jesus had His own needs met and received guidance for the day’s activities. He did not need to rush about through His day trying to achieve impossible goals and marking things off a “to do list.” Jesus simply listened to his Father’s guidance and then moved through His day seeking to follow the Holy Spirit. God will do the same for each of us if we allow Him. He will provide us with the direction so that we go where He needs us to go, and speak when He provides us with opportunities to speak.
Isaiah 30:21 assures us that as we walk the Christian walk (whether a Sunday school teacher, cook, or a bricklayer), God will lead those who acknowledge Him (Prov. 3:5-6). God delights in keeping us from stumbling (Psalm 37:23-24). Our God will meet our needs as we commune with Him so that we can then follow His lead and minister to others. Meeting needs of others is Christlike.
Choose to spend time with God each day. Worship Him, be still and know that He is God, listen to His voice, prepare for your teaching of the Sunday school lesson, and pray for your students. Consider dividing your class roll into seven days. On each day, pray for several of your students. Consider their needs and ask God to help you to meet these needs. By the end of the week, you will have been blessed for doing so, and you will be more effective when you stand before your class. Enlist others to pray for your students. How amazing it would be if every one of your students were prayed for each day of the week.
This is how one meets the needs of those whom Jesus puts across our path. Jesus fed the five thousand because: 1) He went to where they were, 2) He knew they had needs that He could meet, and 3) He wanted to share the gospel of salvation but would not have their ear if they had growling stomachs. On the other hand, He was ready, willing, able, and motivated because He was following the Father’s lead. We typically do not recognize needs because we are not spending time alone with God and seeing others through His eyes.
Spend time with God each day and then move confidently through the week, listening to His guidance and following His instructions. Pray for others by lifting their names before God. Ask God to meet their needs – and to provide you with a heart to meet needs, as He directs. In the words of Paul in the original language, you will be becoming a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). It is not good English, but it is great Greek. That is Christlikeness, and it is a process. You will be becoming more like Jesus, the Master Teacher and our example. He commanded each of us to, “Go into all the world.” Only by going where others are (proximity), and seeking to meet their physical, emotional or social needs, as God leads, are we able to share salvation in Jesus Christ. As we go, meet needs and share the gospel story, we are following the Master Teacher’s model.