Most schools have attendance requirements. That is, students can only miss so many times and still pass the class. Most of my classes, however, had an implied attendance requirement—students would never pass the class if they didn’t attend class.
Funny, isn’t it? We would never expect to pass chemistry if we never attended the classes or labs. Passing English would be impossible if you never read the material. All of us understand this. You can’t do well in your studies if you never attend class. You’ll never learn the subject if you don’t engage in an active learning environment.
Why is it, then, that we expect to grow as Christ-followers if we never attend class? For three years, the disciples stayed with Jesus. They were with Him 24/7. Throughout the Gospels, we’re told people would sit at the feet of Jesus. That’s the way rabbis taught in the days of Jesus—seated with their students on the floor around them. Jesus was a rabbi—a teacher. Yes, He was more than a rabbi, but He was still a teacher.
A good teacher loves nothing more than an eager student—someone who is as passionate to learn, as the teacher is to teach. If you’re eager to learn from Jesus, He’s eager to teach you everything He knows. In fact, you’ve been accepted to His school. Your tuition’s paid. Now, all you have to do is show up for class, pay attention, and take good notes.
And one more thing, be sure to bring your textbook…He refers to it a lot.
