Lead by example

I just recently signed up to be a co-leader for the YA group at church. I don't consider it as a YA group, since most members from YA groups range in age from 18 to 25 yrs. Most folks from my group are in their late 20s/early 30s. It's a great group of people comprised of multicultural backgrounds. For example, people from Germany, Nigeria South Africa, Philippines, Greece, and other parts of the world/US are represented in this life group. Anyway, in our last meeting I taught on the topic called "A Prayer Life". About 12 people showed up for the teaching. AT from work also attend the meeting. I was delighted to see him there. Also, we had a social get together after the meeting for a departing member moving to Conn. She is getting married in mid Oct. So, in celebration I had brought a cake from the local bakery shop near work. Totally delish! Golden cake with lemon frosting. And it wasn't even overly sweetened. Classic!

As for my first teaching, I wondered if I bit more than I can chew? Yup, I sure did. The teaching went okay, but I was totally unprepared to answer some questions that weren't relevant to the teaching but still related.

Thinking back about the teaching, I learned a lot. The lessons I learned are 1) to focus on a particular topic, 2) to prepare the group on that particular teaching (in other words, set them up for the teaching), and 3) to learn that I'm still learning about God's word and His will. It's a totally humbling experience. As I've heard it, experience learned is experience gained.

Today's verse: Deuteronomy 32:1-3 (NIV)

1 Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

2 Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.

3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!