Well, here we go again, another school year.
There is one aspect of education that is critical to success and I submit to you today that it is fully applicable spiritually: REPETITION. Can you imagine when you were trying to learn math? Problem after problem until you got it down. The old adage, “practice makes perfect” is more appropriately stated perfect practice makes perfect. If we repeat the right things, we will eventually form a good habit and then a lifestyle (sadly, the same holds true with bad habits as well).
The scriptures are not silent about repetition in teaching and learning God’s Word: Isaiah prophesied about the coming kingdom and the teaching of the King in Isaiah 28:9-10. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Teaching is done a little at a time with a lot of repetition involved.
Christians should not complain about repetition in teaching on sin, forgiveness, love, marriage, the home, one church, salvation…God knows we need to hear it over and over again. Peter also reminds us of the power and purpose of repetition in 2 Peter 1:12-15: “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”
May God bless all of the teachers across this country who are teaching our children. We wish all of our children the best of success this school year; we pray that they remember they are children of God!
May we as God’s children continue to teach what thus saith the Lord: precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little.