- actually was persuaded to read,
no, honestly told, “you need to read this book”-
a tiny book called “The School of Christ.” I have read only one page and I am challenged. Is my walk with Jesus objective or subjective? That’s my first question. Let me explain.
T. Austin-Sparks says, “A kind of objective imitation of Jesus gets us nowhere, rather the subjective learning Jesus get us everywhere.”
The little word “of” makes all the difference here. To learn of Christ and to learn Christ are both necessary. But to learn of Christ is like elementary school. It is necessary. We all need it but we can’t stay there and mature. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you. Learn of me, for I am humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Learn of
Discipleship is to come under discipline. It is useful, good, and necessary. But it is not the desired end in living the resurrected life. “Before we can be apostles, or sent ones, we must come under discipline to be disciples, to be taught ones, in that inward way.” Jesus was saying, "Take My way and be taught by Me." Yet, if we stop at objective imitation of Jesus we stop growing. Somewhere along the way the objective learning must turn to subjective following in order to be conformed into the likeness of God's Son. Have you ever thought, “I have been trying and working so hard to do what is right, to follow Jesus well…” yet there is this growing lack, a disillusioned awakening of something missing? This is the discontent with my objective relationship with Christ, which seems to be characterized by so much trying.
To Learn Christ
The apostle Paul says, “I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” So far, from my first page in “The School of Christ” my journal pages state:
Learn Christ, in hourly living and trusting.
Learn Christ, in waiting for His answer.
Learn Christ, in dying to my way.
Learn Christ, when I don't know what to do.
My kids are almost all teens, my oldest about to be twenty. Now that they have learned of Christ, I pray that they learn Christ, that they experience living the resurrected life and that they become His “sent ones.” I pray that in each season and with every struggle they may know Him, not only know of Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering. That’s a tough thing for a parent to say, but that is what I really want.
My husband is the one who “recommended” this book to me. He knows my struggles in learning Christ, in letting go and actively trusting. He gently hands this little book to me in the morning and says, “Don’t forget to go to school today.”
My prayer is that at the Mills Church we become a reflection of His resurrected life, that we become a community of parents leading our kids beyond knowing of Christ, but to know Christ.
Happy Easter!
Jana Hoober
MillsKIDS Director
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