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Chapter 9 - You learn by teaching.
After returning from military service I had the privilege to be able to study as a Sunday school bible study teacher in the YoungNak Presbyterian Church and thank God of the opportunity that was given. In the field of study we had Professor Deukyul Kim, Professor SunAe Ju; in the church history was Pastor YoungHun Lee, and bible interpretation as Pastor ChangHwan Park. With narrative stories we were taught the basics of the bible teaching in many months in about 2 hours each Sunday. Interestingly enough, the bible study group had mostly very hard studying students, and requested to have one more month of bible study per request to the educational department of the YoungNak Presbyterian Church.
After the Sunday school teacher study group was over I had applied for the high school Sunday group, and after few days I was able to participate as the high school Sunday school bible study teacher. Looking back I had prepared a lot to teach as a good teacher. But because I felt I was short in learning and understanding the bible deeply, I went to a Christian bookshop to pick up some books for bible teaching and taught myself. Anything I wasn’t too sure I asked the pastor through the phone.
While I was teaching Sunday school, the youth groups’ pastor was Pastor HyunBae Kim. (He was the son of a very famous poet named HyunSeung Kim) He was very kind and intelligent. Even though I was only a Sunday school teacher, I learned that you learn by teaching.
The youth group pastor, Pastor Kim was such a humble man. He was able to encourage and build a person with his leadership. One day he wanted to talk to me about the Wednesday youth group worship service. Around this time, most of the high school students were in pressure to get into a college, and it was more difficult for the junior, senior year in high schools to join for the Wednesday service. Even with the difficulties we couldn’t dare remove the Wednesday service because it was done for a very long time.
The pastor knew that I had joined the mission training organization (such as the Camps Crusade for Christ, Navigators and etc.) and had practiced from there so he wanted me to take in charge of the Wednesday youth group service. He said “since Mr. Lee has a way of mediating on the bible I want you to teach the youth group your method.”
He told me to have a testimony for about 15 minutes. “Quite Time” was first introduced into Korea in the early 70s. I decided to try the pastor’s suggestion and gave it a try. Looking back now I felt inadequate for such task but the pastor encouraged me greatly. As there is a saying “the more foolish someone is the bolder”, I still wonder how I was able to do all what I did.
The youth group seemed to enjoy the rough, mistake bound testimony than the perfected pastor’s sermons and the worship service grew larger. At first we met in one of the “Education Building” on the 2nd floor as a small group but later it grew into full room. The news of the Wednesday service was so great, and because of this sometimes the assistant pastor of the entire church would stop by before the Wednesday adult service and gave us benediction. After I had given my sermon, 2~3 students came forward and gave their presentation of their mediation they had during the week, and then had small groups. I always thank Pastor SunBae Kim who encouraged and empowered the youth group to be led this way.
During the youth group bible study days, there were some events I never forget such as the Oil Shock Crisis.
During the Winter Vacation many of the students went into extra-curricular activities. I wanted the students to stronger faith Christ therefore I taught bible more. But the problem was there was no oil for the heater in bitter cold classroom.
Because many of the students had extra-curricular activities I had decided to gather very early in the morning and convinced about 20 students to join. (This was set about 6AM in the morning). The biggest problem was the building was built with stone and very cold. I knew this was foolish with the coldness but I ran the program. Even if we were shivering from the cold we studied book of Genesis for about 2 hours and met about 14 times during the vacation time. At first the window would be frosted white from cold breathe, but after about an hour the warmth of the student’s desire to learn about bible would melt the frost out again. Some of the parents would bring us coffee which was really rare at the time. It was through grace that I was able to lead this special bible study group and I give thanks to deacon who was in charge of the management of the building and pastor Kim.
During the Youth Group summer retreat (at the YoungNak retreat center in Suyuri nearby Seoul) I was invited as a guest speaker by Pastor Kim, and he also recommended me as the “University Bible Study Fellowship” staff. During that time the staff taught me how to meditate the Bible and how to apply the “Quite Time” in our daily lives. There were many opportunities for teachers and speakers who more experience than I did but I was encouraged by the pastor who gave me the chance to serve the church and the Lord. As of current the pastor is currently expanding God’s kingdom in the United States.
(January 2011)
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YoungNak Presbyterian Church World Gospel Mission 
You learn by teaching.