Pastor's Note - Fall 2023

It’s Time (for everyone) to Return to School

By Pastor Rick Marshall

How did late August and early September become the time of year for the start of school? Well, the answer might surprise you – it’s all about farming!  It goes back to the day when the farming schedule took precedence over everything else—even school.

In the Northern Hemisphere farming can only be done in the spring, summer, and fall.  So, all the children went to school in the colder months when nothing could be planted or harvested. This allowed everyone to help with the farm duties during the busy season.

In Deuteronomy 6 Moses told all the parents in Israel what God wanted them to do:

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Vs. 6-7

Asaph was both a music leader and a teacher – in the court of King David.  He belonged to the family of the Levites whose job it was to teach. In Psalm 78:4 he wrote this:

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.”

When Jesus grew up as a boy in the village of Nazareth, he too would have attended a synagogue school in the early fall to learn about the ‘mighty wonders’ of God.  Jewish children learned to read by studying the Old Testament Bible in Hebrew.  As soon as a child could read, he was given parchment rolls with Bible passages written on them to read aloud and to memorize.

When the Apostle Paul (who was raised Jewish) told Timothy that he was ready for leadership in the early church, he recalled that he too was rooted in Scripture as a child.

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

Paul also reminded Timothy that these “sacred writings” had made him “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:15) This was made possible because: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

At Springton Lake Presbyterian Church, we believe that what Paul told Timothy about God’s Word is still true today.  That’s why, what the Bible teaches, is the central focus of all our teaching.

And we have classes for everyone!  So, what are you waiting for?  It’s time to go to God’s School.  And don’t tell your parents this ☺ but look what can happen when you study the Bible!

“I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” - Psalm 119:99