The school of God is not as strange a concept as it may seem. The Bible tells us that God tests us in order to spur on our growth and learning, and that there is unspeakable value in learning God’s Word and applying it to our lives. Our surroundings are much like a classroom, because what we observe and experience carries a multitude of life lessons, and even spiritual lessons for believers.

HE TESTS US—Because of God’s Tender Mercies and perfect understanding of human weakness, God uses all sorts of testing for those He loves in order to help us overcome those things that stand in the way of our spiritual growth and learning. For those whom He loves, He also chastises like any good father. This is clearly laid out in Hebrews 12:6-11, particularly in the final verse of this passage:

“Now no chastening seems to be joy for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11).

However, unlike school, God always gives us chance after chance to pass our tests:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)

Furthermore,  The Bible says He refines us in the fire:

“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” (Psalm 66:10)

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (Exodus 20:20)

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” (Hebrews 11:17)

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1Peter 1:6-7)

Also See: Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalm 7:9, 26:2 & 139:23, Proverbs 17:3, Ecclesiastes 3:18, Jeremiah 17:10, 1Chronicles 29:17, Job 7:18 & 23:10

LIFE IS OUR CLASSROOM—Our surroundings, relationships and experiences, and more importantly our response in the LORD to these things parallel a generalized framework of the classroom setting:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Corinthians 3:18)

HIS WORD IS OUR TEXTBOOK—Every class has a textbook that helps guide and teach throughout the course of study. God’s instructions to Paul in order to instruct Timothy in the faith and the ministry reveal the importance of our study of His Word:

“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” (1Timothy 4:6)

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2Timothy 1:13-14)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

And there are other Scriptures illustrating this Precept:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Ephesians 6:17)

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Also See: Proverbs 1:1-7 & Proverbs 9

IT’S HIGHLY BENEFICIAL TO COME TO CLASS PREPARED—When we open ourselves up to what God’s Spirit is teaching us we prepare ourselves. Our preparation is all about the surrender and the application thereafter of what has been learned and absorbed:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ,and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Timothy 3:16-17)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

WE RECEIVE REWARDS FOR STAYING FAITHFUL—God’s rewards far exceed the rewards of this life! He has crowns for those who have been faithful, so much more intense and meaningful than a thousand test papers marked A+!:

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

GOD HAS HIS OWN VERSION OF OUR FINAL EXAM—We have our entire lives until we leave this world to repeatedly take our tests. Our final exam--when we stand before Him, however, we can have confidence in this if we have been faithful:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2Corinthans 5:10)

NKJV

 ***CLICK THIS LINK TO CHECK OUT A MORE EXTENSIVE VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE WITH GRAPHICS--

https://linzybruno.substack.com/p/gods-tests

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.