Be Blessed... and Be a Blessing!

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I recently had a chance to spend some time with a class of young children were learning about the Bible.  They were pre-schoolers, ranging in age from 2-5, and it was so much fun to watch them interacting with each other.  One of the older children had her arm around one of the younger children, giving love as she'd seen her parents, and her teachers give it.

I spent five years teaching the Bible to children, and we often had classes that were made up of children that spanned a wide age range.  Sometimes mothers would complain, though, if their children were in a class with younger children.  They felt their child might be slowed in their learning if the pace was aimed at children younger than theirs.  Of course, those same mothers would be fine if their child was in a class of older kids, cuz that would stimulate and challenge them.  But someone's older child is going to have to be with your younger child, if your younger child is going to benefit from being with older children, ya know?

I've heard it said that everyone should have a Barnabas and a Timothy.  A "Barnabas" to encourage you (Acts 4:36) and a "Timothy" for you to encourage (1 Corinthians 4:17).  In the same way, everyone should have a mentor and a protege.  Someone from whom you are learning, and someone for you to teach.

Sometimes our seasons of teaching and learning are separated by time.  Other times, they are going on concurrently.  But if you spend too long doing just one or the other, you'll start to walk funny.  Well, not really, but you'll be unbalanced in your walk with God.  Are you fulfilling both roles?

Be a sheep... and a shepherd.  

Be a student... and a teacher. 

Be a leader... and a follower.