Gurus and Explorers

He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. - Luke 6:39-40

There’s a new app (actually developed by a City Church person) called TurtleWise that helps people connect to potential mentors. One of the most interesting things about the app is that when you sign up for it you get to be both an Explorer (looking for wisdom) and a Guru (giving wisdom). The assumption is that we each have areas of strength and expertise and it would make the world better to share those with others.

How do you feel about the idea of imitating someone? Of being imitated by someone? Some of us struggle with one, some with the other. But Jesus assumes that both are standard. The purpose of being “fully trained” in the parable above is so that you can be the Guru to others - and yet Jesus knows full well that not a single one of us will ever be “fully trained” in the sense that we have nothing left to learn. What he’s doing is casting a vision for growth for us - both as continue Explorers and continue Gurus.

Who are your role models on the spiritual journey and how might you imitate them? (No doubt, they are not perfect - so ponder the sorts of ways you would like to imitate them and try to be aware of unhelpful or ill-fitting aspects of their spiritual journey that might not be helpful for you).

And who is imitating you? Are there ways you might want to grow more intentional in helping someone else around the Square (below)?

Talk with Jesus about these things.