Grace Martial Arts Fellowship began in 1990, went online with a website in 1995 and began publishing newsletters to the Christian martial arts community in 1998.
Because of the quality of information found in those early newsletter articles and the fact they are no longer available online, we’ve decided to re-publish many of them in the coming weeks and months. Our hope is that a new generation of Christian martial artists will be blessed by the wisdom of those who were on the path before them.
GMAF NEWSLETTER
July – August 2004
Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
Thoughts from the Master
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”Matthew 12:42
Jesus Christ
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3
The Apostle Paul
Wisdom Notes
“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.”
Proverbs 19:8
Love Your Soul!
by
Sensei Mark McGee, GMAF Director
(This article is the first of six in a year-long study about teaching children and young people about wisdom and character development through Christian martial arts programs. GraceLife Ministries and Grace Martial Arts Fellowship present this series in the hope it will help you in your life and martial arts ministry.)
The words of King Solomon in Proverbs 19:8 are powerful: “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” Our parents teach us from an early age how to love them, ourselves and others, but what about our soul? The soul is eternal. The body dies, but the real you lives forever. We spend so much time taking care of our bodies and improving our minds and relationships with others, but shouldn’t be learn how to care for our eternal soul?
King Solomon was one of the wisest people who ever lived. The Bible tells us: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment … And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore … And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt … And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.” 1 Kings 3:28; 4:29, 30, 34
Solomon had a wise father. King David was not perfect, but he was wise. David loved God and wanted to do God’s will. David loved his son and wanted him to be wise. Solomon learned so much about wisdom from his father and from God. Solomon made the correct choice in his early years: to get wisdom.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king. Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. 2 Chronicles 1:10-12
Solomon received tremendous wisdom from God and was known around the world for it: “And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom,
and the house that he had built … And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom … So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.” 1 Kings 10:4, 6, 7, 8, 23, 24
How can we receive God’s wisdom into our souls? How might God use us to be a light to the world of His Love and Knowledge? Let’s turn to His Word and learn.
We begin by taking Proverbs 19:8 in context. Solomon learned much about caring for his soul from his father, King David. So, let’s first see what David knew about wisdom and what he would have passed along to his son. Then, let’s see what Solomon knew about wisdom and what he would have passed along to his son prior to his writing the words of Proverbs 19:8. What we learn is good for us and for our children and their children.
First, what David knew about wisdom. Notice how instruction, knowledge, wisdom and understanding are often placed together.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. Psalms 37:30
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. Psalms 49:3
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalms 51:6
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12
Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. Psalms 107:43
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalms 111:10
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. Psalms 119:98
Now, what Solomon knew about wisdom and what he would have taught his children.
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding … To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity … A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction … Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets. Proverbs 1:2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 20
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding … For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding … He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly … When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul. Proverbs 2:2, 6, 7, 10
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil … Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding … The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens … My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion … The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:7, 13, 19, 21, 35
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth … Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding … I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. Proverbs 4:5,7,11
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding. Proverbs 5:1
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman. Proverbs 7:4
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? … O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart … For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it … I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions … Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength … Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Proverbs 8:1, 5, 11, 12, 14, 33
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars … Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding … If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. Proverbs 9:1, 8, 9, 10, 12
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother … He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame … The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall … In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction … In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise … The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom … It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom … The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. Proverbs 10:1, 5, 8, 13, 14, 19, 21, 23, 31
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom … He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace … He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:2, 12, 29, 30
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise … There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Proverbs 12:15, 18
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not
rebuke … The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death … He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:1, 14, 20Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands … In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them … A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth … The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit … A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident … The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly … Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known … The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. Proverbs 14:1, 3, 6, 8, 16, 24, 33, 35
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness … The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so … A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise … A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly … The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise … The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Proverbs 15:21, 33
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it … How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! … He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning … The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Proverbs 16:14, 16, 20, 21, 23
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren … A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? … Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth … Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:2, 10, 16, 24, 28
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom … The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook … The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. Proverbs 18:1, 4, 15
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good … Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Proverbs 19:8, 20
Now, let’s place this in context of something very dear to our hearts: teaching martial arts in a Christian atmosphere. Instructing children and young people to defend themselves is a wonderful thing. It is a great opportunity to improve the bodies and minds of hundreds, even thousands of people. We teach our students the art of self defense. We teach them how to defend themselves and others who are innocent. It is a wonderful reward knowing they can do that effectively while they are on earth. But is that the best thing? Is there something even better? Yes! By far the greatest reward in life is to teach our children, students and friends how to love their own souls; for that will do them good throughout eternity. We begin by imparting to them the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God. That will reap eternal benefits and bring great joy and happiness to many lives.
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine … Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way … The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
DO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND?
By
KARL WILLIAM MARX SR.
Founder of Keichu-Do Martial Arts
Many Martial Art instructors who claim they teach a Christian Martial art, unfortunately may be under a false impression. In fact to many of these individuals mean well but are ill prepared, either as a Christian or as a martial artist, or both. This text is to hopefully open eyes to see and ears to hear. My resources are directly from the Holy Bible New King James Version. I prefer the expanded Edition so my information is accurate, although I will paraphrase a lot, so I don’t have to do all the Quotations.
In Proverbs chapter two, God tells us IF we receive HIS words, and treasure His Commands within us. Now the key word thus far is the word IF. Only after we treasure, or memorize God’s word within, our heart, so to speak, I think it might be our brain and thus our mind will have it there, for future use and recall. THEN we can incline our ears to wisdom, and apply our hearts to understanding. Folks just reading the Bible or hearing the pastor teach is not always enough. Understanding the words and teaching takes some STUDYING also. How can a believer who loves the Lord, yet has not fully understood what God teaches us teach others? None of us can really! We just do the best we can with what we have. However when we reach the point were we realize that the fear of God is the beginning of understanding and knowledge, brings on Wisdom, then we are on our way to real enlightenment. Self-Realization is NOT knowing ourselves but knowing Jesus Christ. Self-esteem should be Christ Esteem. Self-confidence should be only God Confidence. I am no better than any one even though I became a Christian on May 31, 1970, at Lakeview Baptist Church in Alexandria Louisiana I didn’t start to really grow until March 1986. Oh yea! I was going around with my little ministry giving my testimony, even became the pastor for the State Penitentiary at Beauregard prison camp. I had what you might call a captive audience. Ha! Is that a pun?
Anyway as I traveled throughout Louisiana visiting several different denominational Churches, my heart was in the right place, but my knowledge lacked something awful. I was licensed to Preach the Gospel in 1972 from the Community Baptist Church in an outskirts village around Alexandria Louisiana, and really believed I was a bonafide, certified, real preacher. The truth is that I didn’t read my Bible daily, nor did I understand the process of teaching Scripture, I just taught like I taught Martial Arts. NOT! Boy what a mess, God tried to warn me and showed me a sign that something was amiss on my first Church speaking assignment as a preacher. After service was over and we were leaving the service and walking through the parking lot, someone shot me with a shotgun. I thought I had been the target of a hit man as I had a contract on my life two years before. How was I to know it was just a hunter shooting at a bird, and he must have missed the other little bird and shot me a former jail bird instead?
Ha! God is so good. I wasn’t hurt, but a lot of fellows were on the ground when someone shouted “In coming” I used my Bible as a shield to cover my face. OK! my point is that just because I had some paper, a certificate and a strong will to preach God’s Word, that wasn’t enough. So how many of my Christian brothers and sisters out there are doing the same thing I did? You need to be honest and truthful to your self and to your heavenly Father. Remember what GOD told YOU, to trust in HIM, with ALL YOUR heart and not to lean on your own understanding.
That tells ME a lot about what I did and why I failed. God commands (not suggest) us to not be wise in our own eyes, we are to FEAR HIM and to depart from evil. Like Pride, Greed, and other covertness sins desiring high rank so people will do to you what ever it is you so desire. Maybe you want to lord it over them, your students. All this need for high rank and titles, Sensei, Shihan, Hanshi, Master, Grandmaster, Soke, Reverend. Bishop and on and on. Pastor would be title enough for any one with a good attitude. We are taught to hold others as better than ourselves, yet we strive to be higher than anyone else. I know I was the worse of them all. Now Christ is First and above all else.
David – A lesson in Integrity
Psalms 26
by
Daryl Covington
Karate For Christ International
Much has been said over the past few weeks about the lack of integrity in the Christian Martial Arts community, from rank swapping, to cross ranking, to outright selling rank. Below is an outline on integrity. Use it and study it as you see fit.
A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Introduction: Integrity – Webster’s Definition:
1. Being Complete, Wholeness
2. Sound, Unimpaired
3. Uprightness, Honesty, Sincerity
Vs.2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
1. Integrity Bears Examination. (Examine me).
2. Integrity Bears Testing. (Prove me).
3. Integrity Determines Direction. (Try my Reigns).
4. Integrity Determines Motive. (Try my Heart).
Vs.3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
5. Integrity is Built by Seeing God’s Lovingkindness. 6. Integrity Comes by Walking in the Truth.
Vss. 4 5 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked.
7. Integrity Separates from Vain Persons.
8. Integrity Separates from Dissemblers.
9. Integrity Separates from Evildoers.
10. Integrity Separates from the Wicked.
vs.6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine alter, O LORD:
11. Integrity Brings Innocency.
12. Integrity Draws to God. (Compass thine alter).
vs.7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
13. Integrity is Outwardly Thankful.
14. Integrity Praises God’s Works.
vs.8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
15. Integrity Endears Church Attendance. (Loved the habitation of thy house).
16. Integrity Honors God.
vss. 9 10 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
17. Integrity Separates from Sinners.
18. Integrity Separates from Bloody Men.
19. Integrity Separates from Mischief.
20. Integrity Separates from Bribes.
vs.11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
21. Integrity Produces Assurance. (I will walk).
22. Integrity Accepts Redemption. (Redeem me).
23. Integrity is Basis for Mercy. (Be Merciful).
vs. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
24. Integrity is a Stable Environment. (Standeth in an even place).
25. Integrity Blesses the Lord.
II. Job – A lesson in Integrity
Job 31
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out. If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door; Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;) If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him. If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
Introduction: Integrity – Webster’s Definition:
1. Being Complete, Wholeness
2. Sound, Unimpaired
3. Uprightness, Honesty, Sincerity
vs. 1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
1. Integrity goes beyond what can be seen into what you are.
Vs. 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.
2. Integrity can brings works which God can judge.
Vs. 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
3. Integrity would not eat and let a weak one go without.
Vs. 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
4. Integrity would not allow another to go naked and unprotected.
Vs. 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
5. Integrity would not fail to help when you always have help.
Vs. 25. If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
6. Integrity does not rejoice in wealth.
7. Integrity is not proud.
Vs. 30. Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
8. Integrity would not wish evil even on those who have wronged him.
Vs. 32. The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
9. Integrity is kind to strangers.
Vss. 33 – 35. If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
10. Integrity does not wish to hide his sins but to confess them to a hearing God.
III. Integrity Today – God’s Guide to Us
1. Integrity will be our Judge before God.
Psalms 7:8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
2. Integrity will Protect us.
Psalms 25:16-22 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
3. Integrity will Uphold us.
Psalms 41:12. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
4. Integrity will Produce Promotion.
Psalms 78:72. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
5. Integrity will Guide Us.
Proverbs 11:3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
6. Integrity is Better than Wealth.
Proverbs 19:1. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
7. Integrity Makes a Man Just.
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8. Integrity will Bless our Children.
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
9. Integrity will Keep You from Sin even if You do not See the Sin.
Genesis 20:1-7 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
10. Integrity is Honest.
1 Kings 9:1-5 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.
11. Integrity Holds even in Overwhelming Opposition.
Job 2:1-5 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
a. Loss of Oxen
b. Loss of Asses
c. Loss of Sheep
d. Loss of Camels
e. Loss of Servants
f. Loss of Children
Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
a. Loss of Body
b. Loss of Wife
Job 27:1-6 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
a. Loss of Friends
b. Loss of Time
The First Steps in Being an Effective Witness for Jesus Christ
(Reprinted with permission from Karate For Christ International)
Jesus Christ speaking in (Acts 1:8) says: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
What we just read is the last thing the Lord Jesus Christ said before leaving planet earth and is part of what is known as “The Great Commission.” Christ has given His church His charge until He returns and that charge is a simple one: “and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” The task God has given each of us is nothing more or nothing less than to His witnesses. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary a witness is “One who gives testimony; as, the witnesses in court agreed in all essential facts.” Our job, as born-again Christians, is simply to be the Lord’s witnesses. Now that we know what it means to be a witness, what then does it mean to “witness? Again, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word witness in the verb sense as: “To bear testimony or to give evidence.” You see the Lord hasn’t asked us to come up with some new doctrine; the Lord hasn’t asked us to come up with some new method of church growth; the Lord has simply asked us to be His witnesses, testifying and giving evidence of the truth!
As witnesses, if we are to be effective, we must have a working knowledge of what God expects from us. We must be equipped with the proper testimony or evidence that we are to present to a lost world. God has not left us to our own disposal to decide for ourselves what this might be! Another part of “The Great Commission is found in (Mark 16:15) where Jesus says plainly: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Here we find the first steps in being an effective witness for Jesus Christ:
· Number 1: How to Witness
· Number 2: Who is to Witness
· Number 3: Where to Witness
· Number 4: What to Witness
· Number 5: To Whom to Witness
Number 1: How to Witness
There are two “how-to’s found in this verse. The first is found in the first word our Lord utters in giving us His plan and purpose: “Go.” If the modern church could simply get a hold of this one word it would revolutionize our ministries! It seems that the modern church has decided for itself that the best offense is a good defense because the truth of the matter is that we ARE NOT going!
Here’s an example: The modern philosophy of church growth is carnal at best, satanic at worst. We build the most expensive, elaborate buildings and fill them with all the things of the world in order to attract the world. Even if this is done with the motivation of preaching the unadulterated truth to the masses, it still negates the clear command Jesus gave, which is “go!” We are not to build bigger and better in order to attract the unsaved to ourselves; our commission is to “go!” You see the danger is that once we see our attendance numbers increasing and the offering numbers increasing our preaching the truth of the Bible begins decreasing. Yet if we do as we are commanded, God said that He would add to His church such as should be saved. It’s not our commission, nor is it our job to build a great church but it is our job to “Go.”
The second “how-to” is found in Christ’s eighth word, which is “preach”. Most people hear this word and automatically say that they’re not a preacher! The reason we think like this, is because we fail to think as does our Lord and Saviour. Jesus said very plainly that our commission, as Christians, is to “go” and to “preach.” That’s right, you heard it here first: You have been called and commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to “preach.” But let’s find out what it means to preach. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: “To proclaim; to publish in religious discourses.” To preach Christ or Christ crucified, to announce Christ as the only Savior (sic), and his atonement as the only ground of acceptance with God. The word “preach” simply means to proclaim, testify or witness to the truth that Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only means of salvation. In this sense of the word each and every born-again child of God is to preach. We understand from the whole of Scripture, that while every Christian is to proclaim Christ, not every Christian is called and gifted as an evangelist or a pastor/teacher. In fact, there are very clear restrictions given for the order of the local church, but this isn’t our discussion today. We are discussing each saved person’s responsibility to proclaim Christ crucified to a lost, sin-sick, Hell-bound world! As such we are commanded to “Go” and “preach.”
Number 2: Who is to Witness
Jesus continues in (Mark 16:15): “Go ye.” Getting off the subject for just a moment, but this little word “ye” proves the superiority of the King James Bible over all newer translations.
One of the most common sales pitches concerning the newer versions is this line: “The new versions are easier to understand.” To prove this point the dealer will take a new convert and deliberately show them the ghastly “thee, thou, thine and ye’s” of the KJV! Since this new convert is standing in the midst of a quote unquote “Christian Bookstore” he believes the person selling him a twenty-dollar Bible for one-hundred-twenty-dollars surely wouldn’t deceive him! They will. Here’s a 30 second lesson that will show you the superiority of the Authorized Version of 1611: Where you read a word that begins with a “T” an individual is being addressed. Where you read a word that begins a “Y” two or more persons are being addressed. It’s that simple!
Therefore, when Jesus Christ says, “Go ye,” He is not singling out any one believer, such as a pastor or an evangelist. In fact, “The Great Commission” is given to the entire body of believers collectively. It is not the job of your pastor, or a missionary your church might support, to carry out the evangelizing of the world at large; it is YOUR responsibility! Therefore “Go ye.” But let’s take this a step further. The Holy Bible says that each person, who has received the new birth, is in the ministry of reconciliation. In fact, each Christian is an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ! Let’s read a few verses and simply believe what they say, shall we? (II Corinthians 5:17): “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We’d surely all agree that this verse is speaking about the new birth. This verse is clearly talking about someone who has been placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Also, please notice that the reference is made to ANY man. This, as I said prior, isn’t an exclusive thing at all; this is speaking of any person, male or female, who has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! Let’s now read what’s true of this born-again Christian: (II Corinthians 5:18): “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled US (cf. Vs 17 “new creature in Christ) to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (cf. Vs 17 “new creature in Christ) the ministry of reconciliation.” If we simply believe what the Bible says, we must then understand and admit that every person in Christ, every person who is a new creature, every person who has been reconciled to God, has been given the ministry of reconciliation. If you are saved by the grace of God you are in the ministry! This is a gift given to the born-again Christian, from God the Father, by God the Son. But that isn’t all: (II Corinthians 5:19): “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto US (cf. Vs 17 “new creature in Christ) the word of reconciliation.” So, not only do we, as born-again Christians, have the ministry of reconciliation, but God has also committed to our trust, the word of reconciliation. What an honor, that God would count each saved person worthy of this wonderful ministry! But what’s this word of reconciliation? (II Corinthians 5:20-21): “Now then we (cf. Vs 17 “new creature in Christ) are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
When Jesus Christ said, “Go ye,” in (Mark 16:15), He wasn’t speaking to a select group of men who wear funny clothes! He was speaking to each and every child of God! If you, who are reading this, are saved by the grace of God you are Christ’s ambassador; you have been given the word and ministry of reconciliation; and it is then your responsibility to evangelize the world! “Go ye.”
Number 3: Where to Witness
(Mark 16:15) continues by saying: “Go ye into all the world.” Our testimony and our witness ought not only extend to those who enter our church doors. If you haven,t already noticed the unsaved aren’t exactly filling our churches to capacity these days! Hence, we are not to wait for the lost to come to us, but we are instead to go to them.
Let’s look at this truth elsewhere: (Luke 10:1): “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” In much the same way John the Baptist prepared the way before the Messiah, we, as born- again Christians, are to prepare the way for the Saviour! The way we do this, is by going into every city and every place; the way we do this, is by going into all the world as His witnesses.
(Luke 10:2): “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” In this verse, we again see the very same truth. As labourers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are sent to the harvest. Yet the modern Christian and the modern church are found guilty, in that we have failed the commandment! As was said earlier the modern church growth (purpose, purpose, purpose) movement is completely contrary to Scripture. We are not to conform our standards to that of the world, in order to lure the unsaved into our churches! This idea is diametrically opposed to the clear teaching of the word of God. The Lord Jesus never commanded us to lure others into our church-house; but He did command us to go to them!
This is the lazy church’s approach to “reach the lost.” Instead of going out into the world preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God (which is ” repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” by the way) the lazy church conforms itself to the world in order to attract the worldly. Instead of being a SEEKER of the lost, the lazy church attempts to be sensitive to the SEEKER. We have the roles completely reversed: We are to seek the lost instead of the lost seeking us! Christian soldier: Your order, from your commanding officer, is CHARGE!!!! That means full speed ahead, take no prisoners, preach the word! Don’t wait another second, don’t waste any more of God’s time; you’ve got your order, now “Go ye into all the world.”
Number 4: What to Witness
Today, this is one of the most important aspects of “The Great Commission.” The Lord Jesus Christ said in (Mark 16:15): “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.” Let’s now take a few moments to study what the Bible says about the Gospel. First of all we’ll note the importance of preaching the correct Gospel. (Galatians 1:6-9): “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (I Corinthians 15:1-4): “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
This is plainly the Gospel we must go and preach in all the world the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for the sin of the world! Before we move ahead, let’s consider what the Gospel does not include: It does not include preaching denominational affiliation, Water Baptism, Sacraments, Local Church Membership, The Golden Rule, etc.
The Gospel that Paul preached, that the church received and wherein we stand, by which we are (present tense) saved is “how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” If you or anyone you know preaches any other plan of salvation than that according to the word of God you are accursed. (Ephesians 2:8-9): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Our message is the greatest message known in the entire world. That God’s only begotten Son came into this wicked place and paid for our sins, in His own body, on the tree! It is now our mission to proclaim the good tidings that Jesus Christ has accomplished salvation, in that He defeated sin, Hell and death; and is alive forever more, making intercession for all those who come unto God by Him! “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.”
Number 5: To Whom to Witness
The full statement that Jesus made in (Mark 16:15) is this: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Referring back to where we originally began, Jesus told His disciples that they,d be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Meaning that God,s message of salvation isn’t limited to one particular group or nationality of people. This may not hold the same shock value today as it did when Christ first made this announcement. But in reading the Bible, we find that those who were not of the Hebrew Nation were considered the lowest of the low! Even the meek and lowly Galilean, even the ever compassionate Christ told us Gentiles our proper place when He referred to the Syrophenician (Gentile) woman as a dog! Yet God in His matchless grace, yet God in all His mercy, included us Gentile dogs in this marvelous plan of redemption! Therefore, Jesus said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
The Apostle Peter had a booger of time with this truth! In (Acts 10) a Gentile named Cornelius was told to send for Peter. Peter was to come to this man bearing the word of reconciliation, but when the Lord approached Simon Peter with this commission he was more than a little hesitant! The Lord explained to Peter that there is no room in Christ for this racism. (Galatians 3:28) tells us that in Christ there ” is neither Jew nor Greek .” Yet we find this same racial bigotry flaring up again with the great apostle. Paul tells us in (Galatians 2), that Peter had been having a big time hanging out with the Gentiles in Antioch. But when James and certain other of the Jews came, Peter withdrew and separated himself! Paul said, “I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.”
Dear Christian, if it is true, that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek in Christ, let us neither put an unnecessary distinction between the different races of Gentiles in Christ! Our commission is not one of exclusiveness, but of inclusiveness Jesus said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
(Romans 10:13): “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is known as the simplicity of salvation. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves; salvation is entirely by God’s mercy and grace! But there is a “catch.” (Romans 10:14-15): “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Do you see the progression? Before one can call upon the name of Lord they must first believe. In order to believe one must first hear the Gospel. To hear the Gospel someone must preach the Gospel. And for someone to preach the Gospel and for someone else to hear the Gospel that preacher must be SENT! In other words: “GO!” Ladies and gentlemen: As Christians, we are the Lord’s witnesses sent forth into the entire world to proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ died for sin, was buried and rose again the third day. The only hope for a perishing world is the imperishable Gospel “and how shall they hear without a preacher? ” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
MARTIAL ARTS TEACHING TIPS
(Reprinted with permission from Karate For Christ International)
Teaching can be fun. Teaching can be easy. Teaching can also be difficult and daunting. This article is written for those of you who are thinking about taking the next step in your karate. It’s for those of you who are about to start teaching others. While most of this article will appear to be common sense, it amazes me how many instructors don’t do half of these things. So here are 10 tips to better teaching
1. Plan Your Class.
When you first begin teaching, it’s good to have a plan. There is nothing worse than standing in front of a room of students and not knowing what it is you are about to teach. Make sure you are prepared. Know what you want to work on for that class. Try not to deviate from your plan. It is very easy to go off on a tangent and teach something totally different to what you originally decided. There will be plenty of opportunity to explain those other things at a later date. Write a plan and stick to it! What happens to your plan when you originally planned your class for 10+ people and only 4 students attend? Or when you wanted to do a specific drill that requires groups of 5 people and you have 12 in your class? You better think quickly. You always need a backup plan. You don’t want to been seen as not knowing what to do. Remember, students look up to you when you are instructing. You cannot waiver, or show weakness. You are their Sensei. So you need to be prepared. Make sure you have several things you can work on for that particular part of your class. Being flexible in what you have to offer is an integral part of teaching.
2. Building Blocks.
When teaching a new technique break it down into manageable steps. I rule I like to use is to work backwards. (I don’t mean to do the technique in reverse. For more on this see the article on 7 Steps to Achieving your Goals) By showing the final application of the technique at the beginning, your students will gain an understanding of the final goal. It’s then important to break it down into bite size pieces. Then show the technique in stages working backwards. Finally get your students to practice the new technique from start to finish. eg. Using the Working Backwards Method for teaching a spinning back kick.
1) Show your students how the complete technique works.
2) Go to the step immediately preceding the impact of the kick. In this case it would be when your back is facing the target, and your kicking leg is raised ready to strike.
3) Teach the kick from this stance making sure the kick goes direct to the target.
4) Then go to the step immediately preceding the last. In this case it would be the step before the final kick. i.e. the spin.
5) Teach your students how to go from their fighting stance into the spin without actually doing the kick.
6) Get your students to practice each of the steps in sequence with a slight pause at each step so that they understand the importance of each step alone and as part of the sequence.
7) Now practice the technique as a whole. In this example, if you were to teach a spinning back kick in one movement, your students would not understand where they are to be immediately preceding the impact. And frequently they will pick up their legs at the wrong time and miss the target. Not to mention lose balance and often fall over. However, teaching this way ensures they understand each part. You’re probably thinking that the spin is now wasted because we are pausing at each step and the technique is disjointed. Yes, it is at this stage. But remember we are teaching from scratch. Once you are happy with the technique in stages, you might need to modify it in order to get a better flow. This will be the time to point out some of the finer details.
3. Variety is the Spice of Karate.
Different students want to be taught different things. Some just want to fight all day long. Some want to work on kata. Some want to learn more self defence techniques. Of course there is a syllabus and you need to make sure you teach everything in that syllabus. No doubt your students need to be prepared for there next grading. However, it’s quite often a good idea to break your class into 3-4 sections. Do some basics, do some self defense, do some fighting, do some fitness work, etc. This helps your students stay enthused in your class. For most people it is very difficult to work on one thing for an hour or two and stay motivated. On average people can stay focused on something for 15 – 20 minutes before they lose their focus.
4. Two Points Per Class Section.
Work on 2 points per class section, not 10-20. Often when we first teach, we are so eager to teach so much. Sometimes we try to cram in 5 years of what we know into 60 minutes! It’s not going to happen. When teaching new techniques or drills, pick 2 things you wish to work on for that part of your class and stick to it. You will then give your students plenty of time to work on each without overloading them. You don’t want to rush through your class, trying to force students to learn more than what you have time for. This will simply frustrate you because you don’t have time to explain it all. It will also frustrate your students because they do not have enough time to learn. For instance a simple class structure might be as follows.0 – 5 mins – Warm Up5 – 20 mins – Basic Technique20 – 35 mins – New Fighting Combinations – 2 New Applications35 – 50 mins – Self Defence Application – 2 New Defences50 – 60 mins – Stretch Cool Down. Both you and your students will benefit from this simple rule.
5. Speak Clearly and Concisely.
Karate is a difficult thing to learn. And you don’t want to make it more difficult for anyone by speaking softly. Firstly it will appear to some students that you are not confident in what you are teaching. Secondly a student might not feel comfortable in asking you to repeat yourself when they don’t hear you. Their understanding of what you want may not be what you intended. So please, speak clearly and loudly. Some instructors talk more than others. You need to find what works best for you and your students. Some students prefer lots of technical information and some like to just work hard. Remember, the number one reason students begin karate is for self defence. The second reason is for fitness. Both of these require students actually doing something physical. Not just sitting there listening for 55 minutes of your 1 hour class.Explanation is critical when teaching. However, try to be concise. After your class, ask yourself how you could have said less but still have got the message across. This will help you and give your class more time to physically work. If you are blabbing on and repeating yourself, your students will become unfocussed and bored.
6. Count Slowly!
When teaching basic technique you must make sure you give your students enough time to complete their technique. This is critical. If you rush your count, your students rush their technique to keep up. This results in poor form and frustration. As you are counting, watch your students. Are they struggling? Or are they yawning? It will be up to you to regulate the count. And as simple as this seems it is one of the things that new instructors get wrong all the time. Like anything in karate, it takes time and practice.
7. Demonstrate Everything.
By actually demonstrating everything you want out of your students, you will also save time. Why? This way everyone will know exactly what you want right from the beginning. It’s also really important to show full technique when you teach. Don’t assume that your class will know what you mean. Some simply won’t hear you, so by demonstrating everything with full extension on your technique, you increase the opportunity for you class to understand what you are teaching.
8. Time Patterns.
Here is a real secret for you and your students for remembering what they have learned. In his outstanding book, “Use Your Memory” Tony Buzan explains this best. “First you retain more of what you have learned after a few minutes have passed since the end of your learning period; second, you lose 80 percent of the detail you have learned within 24 hours of having learned it. The rise is beneficial, so you want to make use of it; the decline can be disastrous, so you usually need to make sure that it does not happen.” He goes on to explain the concept of Review and Repetition in detail. The entire process is outside the scope of this article; however the basics are as follows.The timing of reviews of learned information should be based on calendar cycles for the most recall. i.e. days, weeks, months, years, etc. This has been scientifically tested and proven. So how do you apply this to karate? Your first review of what you taught in class should be 10 minutes after you have finished. Of course this is not always possible because people leave after your class is over. However, if you structure you class so that your students are learning for most of it and then you finish with fitness work, meditation or stretching then you will have time for a quick review before you finish your class. The second review should take place one day after. The third a week after and the fourth review a month after. The fifth review at six months, then the next at one year. This is the minimum you should do in order to remember something. Again this can be difficult for students to learn and instructors to teach because students may or may not train on the chosen days for the review. This is why it’s important for both you and your students to keep a journal of everything you learn or teach and review it regularly in your own time. This is the key to your students improving quickly. Review and Repetition.
9. Be Patient.
While you have similar types of people in your class, each person in your class is unique. Students may have health considerations. Some may be restricted in movement. Some people might lack confidence and some might be uncoordinated. There is no good or bad, worse or better. There are just differences. As an instructor you need to be able to identify the reasons why students may or may not be able to achieve what you are teaching. Don’t be disheartened when you do not see results immediately. It takes time and it takes practice. Be patient.
10. If You Can’t Do It, Don’t Teach It!
Never try to teach something that you yourself cannot do. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and it is your strengths that you should teach to others. If you teach something you’re unsure about, you will become unstuck. Students ask questions for one reason – they do not understand and would like to know more. This means you need to be prepared. You need to have more answers than they have questions! If not, then your credibility as a teacher diminishes. Make sure you are competent. You need to be able to explain and answer any questions that might be thrown your way. You also need to be able to demonstrate. If you cannot do a hook kick properly, do not teach it! In closing…I hope this brief article has been of interest and value to you. I hope it can inspire you to try new things or reinforce those beliefs that you currently have. When you first begin to teach, you first begin to really learn. If you are unsure about teaching or don’t feel confident, I suggest you bite the bullet and give it a shot. This will improve your self confidence and better your understanding of your karate. If there is more than one instructor at your club, tell your Sensei that you have aspirations to teach. Ask your Sensei if you can sub instruct a class with them. More often than not, they will be pleased that you are interested in helping out. The benefits to you as a teacher of karate are endless. Not only will you be able to help others improve, but you will gain a better understanding of your own karate technique.
Jason Stanley http://www.karatetips.com
Taking God’s Grace to the World!
[Join our Grace Martial Arts Facebook Community!]
Grace Martial Arts © 1990 – 2022
Grace Martial Arts 