LAB VS. LECTURE HALL

Some college classes are in a lecture hall.  Some are in a lab.  Some are a combination of both.  In the lecture hall, one person must come prepared to "do" something...in fact, everything which needs to be done.  That one person makes a presentation.  Everyone else sits and listens with the option of taking notes.

In the lab, however, YOU get to actually "do" something.  Most lab classes are science related.  You get to mix chemicals, dissect things, set things on fire, and maybe even blow something up.  In the lab, you are likely to be assigned to complete group projects where part of your grade may depend on your lab team.

Lab learning is hands-on learning which is very different from the sit-and listen-learning in the lecture hall.

In the western model of what we call church, we do a whole lot of lecture hall and not near enough lab work.  In our church lecture hall, the sanctuary, one or two individuals come prepared to "do".  Professional ministry providers are the only ones who are really required to be led by the Holy Spirit during the lecture.  We might describe our outreach ministry projects as our lab work in the church.  Again, lab learning is hands-on which is very different from the sit-and-listen learning in the lecture hall.

Simply reading the manual for your car will not make you a mechanic.  Neither will having that manual read to you by someone else.  At some point, you must get some tools and get under the hood.  After giving a lecture during a time-out, the coach does not then send the entire team to sit on the bench. Five at time make up the team on the floor.  If there is no team on the floor, there is no game.

Can I just tell ya something?  Jesus did not die on a cross so that His followers could only spend a lifetime warming a pew in the lecture hall.  

That looks a lot more like spiritual respite care waiting around on Heaven.  You won't find a calling from God for that in the Bible.  We were, in fact, created for a purpose.  God's Word tells us we were planned and designed even before the foundation of time.  We were created with a purpose in mind.  We were created in order that we might be in relationship with our Creator and that we might make His glory both our desire and purpose.  And, we might look to the ministry of Jesus for our own life application.  Jesus did conduct a preaching and teaching lecture hall type ministry.  But, He also spent a great deal of time in the lab.

Prayer - 
Father, forgive me for spending too much time in the lecture hall and not enough time in the lab.  Your Word says you created me for good works which You prepared in advance.  Give me the courage to step out in faith and the humility and surrender to follow the lead of your Holy Spirit within me.  Amen.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. -- Ephesians 2:10 (CSB)

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