I have the privilege of teaching Junior Church this month. During our church worship service, after the taking of Communion, we take the elementary-age students to another area of the church so that they can have their own church service. Students are welcome to stay in "big church", but most go to Junior Church.
Most of the kids in the room are starting school this week. That means that they are now going to be held accountable for learning the material the teachers present to them. They also must recall previous lessons, even if they have not multiplied two numbers together or written a complete sentence all summer. They will all be tempted to look on someone else's paper/screen or someone will ask them to look at theirs. Now, the real test will come when they decide what to do.
I have been a teacher, with more than 4 students in my classroom before. Although I learned to have more than two eyes in my classroom, I could still not watch everyone at every moment. I had to trust my students, that they were doing their own work, even when I was not watching them. For the kids in my Jr. Church room, I told them that God wanted them to be honest, even when it was difficult. Cheating is a form of lying, because it is taking credit for work not done by the cheater. Teachers need to know what their students know, and do not know, so that they can do their best in teaching.
In our adult world, being honest still applies, even when it is hard. One small lie can lead to another, and things can get out of control. It seems to be harder as adults, though, doesn't it? It seems like everyone is lying all around us, and that it is not a big deal. But we need to remember that God know all, and we cannot hide from Him. Living an honest life as God wants us to will set you free, even if the rules "down here" are different.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
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