Join us this Sunday, Jun. 17, 2018
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
The Spontaneous Discussion Group
The Group will discuss topics from A Course in Miracles, The Way of Mastery, A Course of Love, and other channeled materials. The group is currently reading and discussing the book “Jesus, My Autobiography“, channeled by Tina Louise Spalding. For more information, contact Robert Bennett.
11:00 AM to Noon
Sunday Gathering
Topic: A Philosophy For Teachers – Teachers of God
You can’t not be a teacher and you can’t not be a student. You will either be an excellent teacher and student, a mediocre one or a poor one. It is a matter of personal choice.
Excerpts from ACIM‘s Manual for Teachers
Part 1. Who are God’s Teachers?
Page 3, Par 1 A teacher of God is anyone who chooses to be one. His qualifications consist solely of this….Once he has done that, his road is established….He has entered an agreement with God…
Par 2, They come from all over the world. They come from all religions and from no religion…The Call is universal…. Many hear It, but few will answer….
Par 4, This is a manual for a special curriculum intended for teachers of a special form of the universal course. There are thousands of other forms, all with the same outcome.
Page 5, Par 1. Certain pupils have been assigned to each of God’s teachers, and they will begin to look for him as soon as he has answered the Call.
Par 4, The pupil comes at the right time to the right place. This is inevitable because he made the right choice in that ancient instant which he now relives.
Page 6, Par 5. When pupil and teacher come together, a teaching-learning situation begins. For the teacher is not really the one who does the teaching. God’s Teacher [the Holy Spirit] speaks to (and through) any two who join together for learning purposes.
PART 4. What Are the Characteristics of God’s Teachers?
I Trust
Par. 1 This is the foundation on which their ability to fulfill their function rests….The teachers of God have trust in the world, because they have learned it is not governed by laws the world made up. It is governed by a power that is in them but not of them.
Par. 2 When this power has been experienced, it is impossible to trust one’s own petty strength again.
Par. 6 Yet when he (the teacher) is ready to go on, he goes with mighty companions [Spirit guides and Angels] beside him.
II Honesty
Par. 1 All other traits of God’s teachers rest on trust. Once that has been achieved, the others cannot fail to follow. Only the trusting can afford honesty…. The term actually means consistency…..At no level are they in conflict with themselves. ….it is impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything.
III Tolerance
Par. 1 God’s teachers do not judge. To judge is to be dishonest, for to judge is to assume a position you do not have. No teacher of God can judge and hope to learn.
IV Gentleness
Par. 1 Harm is impossible for God’s teachers…..harm can actually achieve nothing.
Par, 2 Therefore God’s teachers are wholly gentle. They need the strength of gentleness….
V Joy
Par 1. Joy is the result of gentleness. Gentleness means that fear is now impossible…Joy goes with gentleness as surely as grief attends attack.
VI Defenselessness
Par, 1 God’s teachers have learned how to be simple. Their joy comes from understanding Who created them…. No one can become an advanced teacher of God until he understands that defenses are foolish guardians of mad illusions. …it is not danger that comes when defenses are laid down. It is safety. It is peace. It is joy. And it is God.
VII Generosity
Par. 1 …To the teachers of God, it means giving away in order to keep….alien to the thinking of the world.
Par. 2 The teacher of God is generous out of Self-interest. …. The teacher of God does not want anything he cannot give away.
VIII Patience
Par, 1 Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and to wait without anxiety. Patience is natural to the teacher of God. ….All he sees is certain outcome….not in doubt….Patience is natural to those who trust.
IX Faithfulness
Par. 1 ….Faithfulness is the teacher of God’s trust in the Word of God to set all things right; not some, but all.
X Open-Mindedness
Par. 1 Open-mindedness comes with lack of judgment. As judgment shuts the mind against God’s Teacher, so open-mindedness invites Him to come in….Only the open-minded can be at peace….
Par. 2 ….Forgiveness is the final goal of the curriculum.
AN EXERCISE FOR THE COMMITTED TEACHER OF GOD
The following chart provides a self-help tool that can help a T O G (teacher of God) become more competent.
“HOW AM I DOING?”
SUGGESTION: Rate your behavior periodically.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXCELLENT TEACHER AND STUDENT
THE 10 “BEs” of an excellent student and teacher
INSTRUCTIONS: RATE YOURSELF PERIODICALLY FOR INCREASED SELF-AWARENESS
Code: ‘-’ Needs Attention; ‘+’Some Progress; ‘++’Satisfactory
Characteristic | Date/Rating | Date/Rating | Date/Rating | Date/Rating |
BE Trusting | ||||
BE Honest | ||||
BE Tolerant | ||||
BE Gentle | ||||
BE Joyful | ||||
BE Defenseless | ||||
BE Generous | ||||
BE Patient | ||||
BE Faithful | ||||
BE Open-Minded |
Facilitated by Bud Ham