Use Genesis 50:20 With Your Students!
by Tonja Taylor As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.--Genesis 50:20, AMPC When one of my students cursed and said other things with which I didn't agree (OMG, etc.), the LORD gave me a neat strategy to turn these into a positive! This was a junior high student, but this can be used with any age. Here's the simple, turn-this-to-positive (which is the hallmark of our awesome God; Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8), and to work good out of the devil's mess! Hallelujah!)-- Every time he cursed or said something else that was slurring God's name (although I don't think he meant it; he'd just picked it up as slang, etc.), I would exclaim, "God is GOOD--ALL the time!" He was not (yet) a Believer, but he knew I was, for he'd asked me directly, and I had replied that yes, I certainly believe in and follow Jesus Christ! He actually laughed (in a respectful) way. So, instead of being religious and legalistic, the LORD Who loves him helped us both have a good time, being aware of the difference of thought, but overcoming any negatives with blessed positives--as only the LORD can do, and as He points out in 2 Timothy 2:24-26! 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.--2 Timothy 2:24-26, ESV He poured Grace upon my lips! Hallelujah! All my students (whom are all online now, for the past three years) know that I pray for them daily. I tell them so. Even when I was teaching public school, I'd tell them I loved them, and prayed, and sometimes I prayed in the classroom. I was aware I might be disciplined for that, but I never was, and the students loved it. The LORD is The Master Teacher, and the Father of all our students. He will continue to help us with divine and effective strategies to model right behavior to our students, and help them know we love God, we love them, and we and He are for them. Amen! Go for it! And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.--Romans 8:28 Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |
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