John Quinones

Core scripture: “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Message: One of my favorite shows used to be “What Would You Do.”  Ever seen it?  Hidden cameras track an unsuspecting person in a local public place.  Professional actors perform in the midst of everyday life just to see how that person reacts to different situations.  Here’s an example of one I showed my students last year.  It provided for some great discussion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taYUpQG1X14

Guess what?  Today the camera shifts to you.  My daily Bible reading has been taking me through the Proverbs recently.  They were all written to revolve around a single word: wisdom.  I encountered a situation this past week where I needed it.  Bad!  After reaching out to a number of friends and family, I feel much better about my situation.

Pretend the camera is not on you.  You already have a head start in knowing you have time to respond.  I could ask a hundred of these questions, but let’s limit it to ten.  Consider these situations merely hypothetical.  So, I ask you, in all sincerity … what would you do?

1. What would you do if you knew standing up for your faith would lead to you getting fired?
2. What would you do if a tearful student asked you to pray for him or her in a quiet spot off to the side?
3. What would you do to teach kids about 9/11, a generation that was not even alive in 2001, using a perspective that personifies our faith?
4. What would you do if a parent questioned your faith-based salutation that you have used for years via e-mail?
5. What would you do if a student said, “Jesus Christ!” in your class to express disappointment?
6. What would you do if you felt God was calling you to a different profession other than teaching?
7. What would you do if your principal did not allow you to live out your faith freely? (Disclaimer: I am truly blessed to not have this problem.)
8. What would you do if a parent accused you of violating separation of church and state based on the cross necklace you wore?
9. What would you do if a student asked you for help in understanding the Bible?
10. What would you do if a student asked you for a Biblical perspective on mental health during Suicide Awareness Week?

Challenge: Let’s help each other today.  There is a reply button below.  This is me reaching out to you in search of wisdom.  Share not just for the Christian teachers reading this page but for the Lord.  Sometimes writing out your thoughts helps you connect with what God needs.

Song application: “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNS7GclZ7vg

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.

Video application: I saw this video about Todd Beamer, a hero from Flight 93, this morning.  I so wanted to show it to my class, then it had to get all religious on me.  Darn you, David Beamer!  The cool thing is I get to share it with you guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORFVFn1AbI&feature=youtu.be

Scripture: Read through Proverbs 8.  What does the word “wisdom” mean to you?  How does wisdom come alive through personification?  Why do you think the author does that? (Sheesh, I really sound like a Language Arts teacher now, don’t I?)

Movie application: Take a look at God’s Not Dead or God’s Not Dead 2.  The first focuses on the student fighting the teacher, and the second focuses on the teacher fighting for her rights as a Christian teacher.  Both are amazing movies.

Just for fun: After the seriousness of the questions above, it is time for a laugh about a conversation my son and I had concerning our new foster dog, Steve.

My 8-year-old son: “Uh oh, Daddy!”

Me: “What?”

My 8-year-old son: “Steve is making babies with the Chiefs blanket again.”

Hey, at least he didn’t say Steve was humping the Chiefs blanket.  Needless to say, the Chiefs won, so it could have brought them good luck.

Prayer: Father, help me seek wisdom from the right people through my days, and in the end, may Your wisdom become mine.  Amen.