Peter Thomsett the guest speaker is currently the chaplain at Asquith Boy’s High.  He has served as a missionary in that school for over 20 years!

He immediately connected well with the teachers when he confessed to wanting to quit his position innumerable times.

Several teachers commented to me that Peter’s honesty was a blessing to them.

Peter reinforced that teachers are missionaries and that they are anointed.

Jesus is Anointed.  (Isaiah 61)

While on the earth He walked as a man, He never sinned, yet HE struggled with the will of God.

Peter said that struggling with the will of God is normal.

Peter said it is the will of God for Christian teachers to go to the schools and be a witness for Jesus.

They are not there as a subject teacher but are there to represent God and change lives.

God’s will is for Christian teachers to bring revival to the schools.

Peter asked the rhetorical question, “Who finds that hard?”

Peter admitted to finding that task very difficult.

Peter shared about the open resistance by students and staff to the gospel.

Students blatantly state that Christian Studies is brain washing.

The direct opposition to the gospel is a negative influence that spreads rapidly.

Jesus knew the will of God for Him was to go to the cross.

He knew He did have to go through the ordeal.

Similarly Christian teachers do have to go to through the ordeal of life at school, do have to witness to rebellious students and unfriendly colleagues.  Who may say “you are an idiot for not believing in evolution!”

We ask God do I have to do this?  It’s getting too hard!

Peter then spoke about the things Jesus did to get through the struggles.

1. Jesus confessed to His Father that He was struggling.

Jesus cried out to the Father saying    Let this cup pass Me by.

So we too can acknowledge when we are struggling.

To admit we are struggling is not a sign of weakness or failure.

2. Jesus prayed.

Peter encouraged teachers to be disciplined in prayer and to have a special place for prayer.

He acknowledged the business of the day gets in the way of our prayer life hence perseverance and determination is needed to maintain a life of prayer.

Peter urged all present to spend TIME with the Father.

3. Jesus needed His friends.

He took Peter, James and John to the garden.  His friends fell asleep.

We need to be a friend who does not “fall asleep.”  We need to be there for each other.

Peter said he was trying to be a friend to the teachers by saying “I know what you are going through, and there is hope.  There is hope in JESUS.”

4. Angels showed up.

God sent angels to minister to Jesus.  God wants to send angels into the classroom.

Our western mindset needs to be renewed to the truth that angels are ordained by the Lord to serve us, to encourage and give us strength.

Peter encouraged the teachers to BELIEVE in the ministry of angels.

Jesus knew the will of God and He knew the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit is essential for receiving the resources that the Lord has for the assignment.

When the Lord asks us to do something HE gives us the resources.

He knows you cannot do it alone.  It’s not with your strength but with HIS strength.

When Peter applied for the job as Christian studies teacher at Asquith Boy’s High, 49 others applied.  Peter was the only one without teaching experience.

Peter was God’s choice.

It is the leading of the Holy Spirit and not Peter’s credentials that enables him to fulfil the role the Lord has for him at that school.

Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to endure the cross.