I found this title of an article, “Imparting versus Teaching.” That, perhaps, is the essence of what Special Gathering is all about. Please understand that we believe in teaching people who are developmentally disabled. We work hard at making our devotions, teaching and preparation appropriate for our members’ learning level.
I think we have some of the best general material out there regarding how to teach all levels of people who are mentally challenged. We search out and use ACCESS published by LifeWay as our curriculum. This is great educational material.
With all that said, I must emphasize that the imparting of values and principles laid out by God must be the under-pending for everything we teach. Often, we have heard about or sat under men and women of God who aren’t living the standards set by God. I’m not talking about simple slips but women who can’t keep their skirts down and men whose ministryincludes a trisk between the sheets.
Godliness can be taught but it must also caught. I will be eternally grateful for parents who lived in such a way that when I became an adult, I wanted to be like them. My friend, Wylene, nurtured me under her wing and taught me how to live daily life for more years than I want to count. We talked on the phone, laughed at foibles of others and ourselves. We cried and we encouraged each other to love Jesus more passionately each day. I caught God’s love and a zeal for godliness from them and so many others.
No, imparting can never replace teaching. However, imparting must undergird teaching or the teaching is no more than beautiful sparks of fire that fly through the air, sometimes lighting the way but too often causing ruin and destruction.
Who are the people you are imparting God’s love to? Are you able to impart holiness to your members? Who are the mentally challenged people who able to impart His love to you?
