The 15th

In a classroom, there are only two types of students. One type wants to learn while the other type does not. Teaching both types of students is a challenging task because it is not easy to make each student learn something or make them learn the same lesson at the same phase, or/and put what they have learned into practice throughout their lives.

In teaching the Word of God, Jesus presented four types of students (Matthew 13: 1-2) using the parable of the sower. In the parable, the seed stands as the Word of God being taught and preached to different types of students. The first type is like a seed that fell along the path, and the second is like a seed that fell on rocky ground. The third type is like a seed that fell upon thorns while the last type is like a seed that fell on good soil. These four types of students may be reduced into two. One type wants to learn while the other type does not.

For those who do not want to learn, they are likened to a seed that fell along the path. The path is intended for use by the pedestrians and not for planting. It is useless then to place the seed on it. In this type of students, no amount of teaching methods or style can be of use. Any teacher cannot force this type of students to learn as they refuse to be teachable.

For those who want to learn, three types of learners may be identified. One is that type wherein the seed was said to fall on a rocky ground. In this type, a teacher can find students who are willing and eager to learn. However, when they experience some difficulties in their lives, they become uninterested in their studies and refuse to learn. In the second type, a seed that fell upon thorns, a teacher can also find students who are willing and eager to learn. However, these students are exposed to other students who are not interested to learn but rather enjoy drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs or engaging in premarital sex. This type of students then becomes uninterested in their studies because of the influence of their fellow students who are unwilling to learn but resort to vices. The last type is wherein the seed fell on the good soil. In this type, teacher can find students who are not only willing to learn but also wish to achieve more in their lives. They become productive members of the community.

To end, Jesus prays that we who have heard the Word of God become productive in the community we live in. No matter how difficult life can be for us, yet this is not a reason to forget what we learn about God. No matter how we are surrounded by bad people, this is not a reason for us to forget what we learn from God. We are called to be productive and being productive we are called to do a lot of goodness and manifest Godliness in our words and actions. We know we are productive if we have brought others to be closer to Jesus Christ. We know we become productive when we celebrate our faith as a community of God.