Posts

Mr. Wayne Tlumak: Remembering 9/11

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Wayne Tlumak is a faithful elder serving as one of the core theology instructors at Living Education, and a native New Yorker. Before being employed by the Church, Mr. Tlumak worked as a manager and trainer for the New York City Housing Authority. It was during this time in his life that he experienced one of the most impactful experiences of his life—something that not only changed him, but the world as a whole.

On September 11th, 2001, terrorists from the extremist group al-Qaeda attacked the United States. They hijacked multiple airlines, and used them to attack multiple important locations—in particular, the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington DC. As an eyewitness of those attacks, Mr. Tlumak delivered a forum message describing his experience to the Living Education students as an important reminder of our nation’s history.

A Dark Morning

Mr. Tlumak’s day began early. A training facility that he managed had been broken into the night before, and he was in the process of inspecting it. Calling the police, he was quickly interrupted by the sound of sirens everywhere. At that very moment, a coworker informed him that a plane had just crashed into one of the twin towers—the main fixtures of the World Trade Center complex. Mr. Tlumak asked the officer on the line if that was true. The officer confirmed that it was, and that every officer in the city was headed to the scene. Hanging up, Mr. Tlumak rushed to the roof to see what was happening.

The moment he reached the roof, a second plane struck the South Tower. It was at that moment that Mr. Tlumak—and everyone watching—knew that the United States was under attack.

Mr. Tlumak recalled to the students the great collective excitement of when those mighty towers were being constructed—as a youth, he had watched them being built. “Now I was watching them burn,” he said.

A National Tragedy

The images that Mr. Tlumak witnessed are seared into the memories of many who witnessed that terrible attack. Over the course of 102 minutes, both buildings burned, their internal structures damaged, until finally collapsing to the ground. Almost 3,000 people died as a result, and an unprecedented level of damage occurred in the surrounding area. Smoke billows covered the city, and many people breathed in toxic asbestos. As Mr. Tlumak walked around, taking in the horrific scene, he was overcome by the scale of the tragic violence.

In addition to the towers, another plane was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Another plane was hijacked, but passengers onboard fought back, taking over the plane before it crash-landed in Pennsylvania. Its target can only be speculated. All in all, 9/11 claimed almost 3,000 lives, and affected countless more.

Providence

Mr. Tlumak will long remember that day, but he added that while the tragedy was terrible, God spared us from even greater destruction. Even in the midst of a horrific tragedy, God’s hand was evident. First, Mr. Tlumak explained that no one above the floors where the planes had hit could have survived. If the planes had struck any lower, even more lives would have been lost. Second, a wall on the western side of Manhattan prevented the Hudson River from pouring into the city. When the twin towers collapsed, a crack formed—but didn’t burst. God held back the waters from flooding both the streets and the subways below, sparing the city from countless more deaths. Even in the face of horrible suffering and tragedy, God’s hand was present.

Never Forget

We as a nation can never forget the horrible tragedy that occurred that day. It changed the world in many ways. From our security processes to our collective view of religion, 9/11 has had a powerful butterfly effect on almost everything in the modern world. It even prompted a brief national sense of unity and focus on God—but, as we see today, that may have been short-lived.

Our world is in a state of decline, and the lessons that God wants us to learn through 9/11 should not be lost with time. As with all tragedies, God allowed this terrible day to come for a reason. It is not for us to wonder, or be angry, but to accept His purpose and live our life right. We should remember the lives that were lost, and learn to be ambassadors of a better nation—the heavenly Kingdom to which God has called us.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Joshua Lyons: Twelve Practical Financial Principles

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Joshua Lyons, a pastor serving in the Upper Midwest area of the United States, began a recent forum message by asking the Living Education students a question: “Do you like money?” While for most of us the answer is “yes,” Mr. Lyons—previously serving as the Assistant Financial Controller for the Church—pointed out a sobering fact: few people actually have a grounded understanding of how to handle their finances.

Having a good handle on your personal finances is one of the most important skills you can learn in life—and there are many who never learn it. Further, most ignore important biblical principles that contribute to financial stability, such as tithing and giving offerings. Mr. Lyons stressed that while having practical financial literacy is important, there are godly principles that can be applied to handling our money. His forum message covered 12 practical financial principles:

  1. Have at Least $1,000 in an Emergency Fund

Making sure you have some spare money in savings is critical. Emergencies can happen at any time, and having an emergency fund that you not only never touch, but continuously contribute to, is fundamentally important.

  1. Intentionally Build and Maintain a Good Credit Score

While it’s easy for some to view credit cards as an easy way out—or, conversely, the greatest evil ever conceived—carefully building good credit is very important and beneficial. This takes both discipline and intentionality—avoiding credit card debt by promptly paying it off helps build a good credit score, and helps earn benefits.

  1. Buy Things Used

Buying name-brand items and expensive retail products can be tempting, but the obvious problem is that we tend to spend more than we should. We can avoid going into debt over high prices by thrifting. Buying used furniture, clothes, and other items is an intelligent way to get what you want/need without unnecessary overspending.

  1. Keep a Personal Balance Sheet

Mr. Lyons advised the students to run their personal finances like a business. Carefully track your expenses, cash flow, and liabilities. Making sure we know where our money is going is critical to having a firm handle on our own money. Developing your own method for tracking finances will be extremely helpful later on. 

  1. Avoid Credit Card Debt

While it’s easy to hear, it’s harder to put into practice. Credit card debt can be a dangerous black hole that sucks the money right out of our wallets. While building credit can be helpful, if we recklessly spend money we don’t have, we incur unnecessary and dangerous debt. We should be vigilant of our credit card usage, and have the discipline and foresight to avoid debt. 

  1. Never Invest in Anything You Don’t Understand

If you don’t know what you’re getting into, you shouldn’t do it. There are all kinds of places to invest your money, but we should apply discernment before we put our money into something. Investments can be an important way to help build wealth, and it’s important to understand exactly what we’re getting ourselves into.

  1. Never Gamble.

Gambling can be a temptation for many seeking an easy way to get rich quickly. But not only is it risky and irresponsible, it is also a serious issue laden with spiritual implications. The money we have is given to us by God, and we have a responsibility to take care of it in a responsible, godly way. On this point, Mr. Lyons referenced a relevant sermon by Mr. Jonathan McNair on this very issue.

  1. Make Sure Your Biggest Decisions are Good Ones

Small purchases here and there might not destroy your bank account, but the bigger ones can have heavy implications. We should think through our biggest purchases first before making a decision. It’s important to consider the implications of our choices and whether those decisions will impact us later. If we’re going to make a big financial decision, we should be sure that it’s a good one.

  1. Choose a Good Career & Get a Good Job

Connected to the previous point, one major decision that we make is our choice of career. While there are many factors that go into that decision, one should certainly be the financial considerations. We want to be able to take care of our families and have a solid hold on our money. Particularly for young people who have not yet decided, making educated decisions about your career is a critical element of long-term financial success.

  1.  Always Spend Less Money Than You Make

While it may be easier said than done, this point takes a great deal of discipline and intentionality. If we spend more than what we make, we’re putting ourselves in a serious financial situation that can be hard to escape from. Making sure we live within our means is a critical way to maintain financial stability.

  1.  Make Your Money Work For You

Making solid investment choices can be hugely beneficial to our financial stability. It’s important to be educated on investment opportunities, side hustles, and other ways to make our money make more money. Your assets can earn you even more money if you know how to wield it properly.

  1.  Spend Time Educating Yourself on Personal Finances

As with all things, becoming competent with your personal finances takes time. Becoming financially literate is a long-term investment that will pay off as we build stability in our lives. We should put forth the effort to educate ourselves and live responsibly as we put good habits to practice.

Understanding how to handle money is more than a practical skill—it is an essential aspect of our lives, and we must ensure that we have a disciplined approach to our personal finances. The financial blessings we enjoy are gifts from God, and He lets us learn to take care of what ultimately is His money. With this in mind, it’s important to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, learn to practice discipline, and build good personal financial habits.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

A Beautiful But Brief Beach Trip

/in ,

Author: Katelyn Wissinger| Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2025-26

This past Sunday, we traveled to Sunset Beach, NC, for a relaxing afternoon and a welcome reprieve from the past week. While a trip to the beach is quite dependent on the weather, and ours was cut short because of the unwelcome rain, we enjoyed it nonetheless and got our fair share of the sun.

Around 8 am, we packed up the vans and headed off on the road, full of anticipation for what lay ahead. At about 12.30 am, we arrived at the beach, and thankfully, there was little trouble in finding a close parking space that made our walk to the sand a whole lot shorter. Once on the beach, students and faculty set about putting up the gazebos and setting up the camping chairs. Scarcely were we there for more than a few minutes before students eagerly dashed towards the beckoning blue expanse in front of them. Others, a little famished, stayed back and dived into the prepared pasta salad bowls for lunch. The sun was at its full height as it shone strongly on all the beachgoers. Some of the students took the opportunity to rest under the gazebos on the warm sands, but most eventually made it into the waves and enjoyed rolling and jumping into them. As expected, some got to experience the taste of the delightfully briny water a little too much. As the afternoon rolled on, the ominous grey clouds in the distance and the echoes of thunder drew closer and closer. Students and faculty prepared themselves, repacking our belongings as we closely watched the droplets of precipitation getting ever closer. The downpour eventually hit our location, and we all made a mad dash for the vans. 

While the beach trip may have been cut short due to the gloomy weather, the time we did enjoy on the coast made memories and allowed us to appreciate God’s creation. For some, it was their first time they were able to go so far out into the water to jump waves, and for others, it reminded them why the beach is such a beautiful place.

Mr. Wallace Smith: Establishing Pillars

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In a recent forum message, Mr. Wallace Smith reminded the Living Education students of the important opportunity that they have during the course of the program. While the Living Education-Charlotte program offers many opportunities to learn, grow, and have new experiences, Mr. Smith encouraged the students to use this time as an opportunity to deeply reflect on the foundational pillars of their worldview.

Belief

Everyone has beliefs that shape their worldview. Even small, unimportant opinions are supported by larger, foundational beliefs that make up the core structure of our perception of reality. We look at the world through the lens of those beliefs, and everyone has a different worldview as a result.

In our Christian journey, the beliefs that we hold in the context of our faith are often supported by a set of more specific, core beliefs—beliefs that frame the very foundation of our understanding of reality. The exact nature of those beliefs may vary to each of us, but no one can deny their importance to our worldview and our lives. 

What Should Our Beliefs Be?

While we believe the Bible and what it says, the things that we believe about it really stem from more specific truths—i.e., while we believe that pork is unclean, there are several truths that come before that point that are important for us to internalize.

Mr. Smith took the time to share his personal set of three core beliefs that framed his worldview, establishing the foundation for everything else:

  1. God Is Real 

The reality of God’s existence is a fundamental point for us to understand and internalize. Mr. Smith referenced Romans 1:20, stating: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” If we don’t first make God’s existence a core aspect of our fundamental belief system, we compromise the integrity of our overall worldview and its stability.

  1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God

If the Man who walked the earth 2,000 years ago preaching the Gospel was not really God’s Son, then an important aspect of God’s plan is missing. We must understand that Jesus was the Son of God and that His death covers our sins. Mr. Smith quoted 1 Corinthians 15:12-18: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? …If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.”

  1. The Bible is God’s Word

The final of Mr. Smith’s proposed pillars is the validity of the Bible. We must recognize its authority and importance, and remember that what it says has been divinely inspired by God. As John 17:17 states, “Your [God’s] word is truth.”

Establish Your Pillars!

It’s important for us to evaluate our priorities and make sure that we have an accurate perception of reality—one that is grounded in the truth revealed in God’s word. As we continue to learn and develop as Christians, it’s critical for us to make sure our worldview aligns with what God has ordained by His will. As students of Living Education have the opportunity to evaluate their personal beliefs and develop a more well-rounded worldview, we all have the responsibility to establish a strong, biblically-grounded worldview that is focused on God.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mrs. Christy McNair: Note Taking

/in ,

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In a recent forum, Mrs. Christy McNair began by asking the Living Education students a question: how do you take notes? It should come as no surprise that note taking is an important aspect of learning, and Mrs. McNair’s forum offered sound principles of effective note taking.

The Problem With Notes

Taking notes may seem straightforward, but the quality of our personal notes can easily be affected by distractions, lack of engagement in what we’re hearing, and our own lack of organizational prowess. The problem is all too common: passive listening leads to disorganized, poorly written notes that don’t actually benefit us later on.

The Cornell Method

Mrs. McNair introduced the students to the Cornell Method of taking notes. This style of note taking is used to neatly organize information for handy reference and help reinforce active listening, rather than passive—allowing us to more easily remember what we’ve learned. 

Consisting of a left-hand column—in which you put your key points and cues—a right-hand column—in which you put important points relating to your cues—and a bottom section summarizing what you’ve learned, this method simplifies the randomized, chaotic notes that many tend to create out of habit.

This method is particularly effective when used with other principles in mind. Mrs. McNair stressed that it’s important to not try and write down every word: pick out the main points, and use the Cornell Method to organize what you’re hearing. 

Reread Your Notes

One other important piece of advice that Mrs. McNair related was to go back over your notes within the next 24 hours. Even a short ten minutes going over the material can greatly add to your understanding of the topic and help you remember it for longer. 

The Cornell Method and the other principles Mrs. McNair shared with the students are important lessons, not only for taking notes but for becoming a more effective student and learner. Our efforts to be a disciplined, resourceful, and successful student of whatever we’re taking on requires careful planning, active listening, and an organized mind.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Jonathan McNair: How to Get Smart

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

As the brand new Living Education school year takes off, building effective study habits is important for each of the students. In this latest forum, Mr. Jonathan McNair introduced the students to several study habits to better equip them for success, both during the school year and throughout their lives.

Marty Lobdell: Study Less, Study Smart

Mr. McNair began by playing a video by Marty Lobdell, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Pierce University. In the video, Professor Lobdell gave sound principles of effective study habits based on years of teaching expertise, as well as examples from his own time as a student. 

Many students who trudge through studying for hours don’t actually learn anything of value. “Things that are reinforced, we tend to do more of,” he said. Professor Lobdell’s study method emphasizes prioritizing time and maintaining focus. In his time teaching, he noticed that it only takes about 20-30 minutes for a student to lose focus while studying—once you begin to lose focus on what you’re reading, stop and take a 5-minute break before coming back to it. This way, you maximize your focus and are able to train yourself to focus for longer. 

Professor Lobdell also encourages his students to eliminate distractions around them. If you’re studying in the bedroom, the temptation is to lie down in bed—if you’re studying in the kitchen, the temptation is to make food. Having a designated study spot and staying disciplined in the face of distractions makes a huge impact on your study habits. It especially impacts our ability to understand the difference between facts and concepts—a distinction that is crucial to our comprehension of the material to which we are exposed. Professor Lobdell noted aptly, “If it doesn’t change your behavior, you haven’t learned it.”

Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Top Study Habits to Improve Learning

In another video, Dr. Andrew Huberman discussed a survey of students that examined habits of successful students. These habits are an important example that can be incorporated into our own approach to studying.

Successful students designate time to study without distractions. Similar to Professor Lobdell’s advice, students who establish disciplined habits and remove distracting stimuli have an easier time focusing. Successful students also make the habit of teaching other peers. A good rule of thumb is to watch someone do it, do it yourself, and teach it—watch one, do one, teach one.

Dr. Huberman stressed that focus and attention are finite resources, but they’re also renewable. Even with a strain on our focus, we can build our resistance to outside distractions and renew what we’ve used up. Regularity and consistence are key—we need to have a good handle on our priorities and schedule. Dr. Huberman also emphasized motivation—the highest-performing students not only enjoy what they do, they have a long-term vision and the drive to fulfill it. If you love what you do, you have a strong advantage.

Being Smarter Students

Whether we’re still in school or past that stage of life, the reality is that we learn every day. We are called to be students of God’s word, and as such, we have a responsibility to take ownership of our learning. While these habits are especially geared toward students, these principles apply to all of us as we take the time to become more effective learners.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Why A Life Roles Class?

/in

Author: Katelyn Wissinger| Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2025-26

At Living Education, one of the courses we take is Life Roles. When we look at the world around us, there is so much confusion about what it means to be a man or a woman, or even about the differences between them. Mr. McNair addressed this in the introduction to the class.

To provide context for the reason for the course, Mr. McNair examined both masculinity and femininity. The world sees men as toxic, useless, and irrelevant. It sees women as oppressed and in the bonds of patriarchy. Yet God’s word challenges us to view men and women differently and to accept that they have complimentary – roles and responsibilities – a fact society around us wants to ignore. Godly masculinity is defined by the characteristics described as relating to a man in the Bible – not society. And godly femininity is likewise defined by the characteristics described as associated with a woman in God’s word.

The men’s and women’s life roles classes this year will teach skills and provide knowledge so that we can fulfill the roles God has designed for us in life. I, for one, am excited for women’s life roles where we’ll learn things like how to provide a healthy and nutritious diet for ourselves and our family, how to beautify and improve our life and life for those around us, how to care for ourselves, our husband and our family, and how to serve our church and our community. A number of ladies from the Charlotte congregation provide expertise in a wide range of topics, bringing their knowledge and experience to bear – and also building bonds of friendship with our Living Education women.

Mr. Adam West: Pillars of a Productive Work Ethic

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Adam West, a pastor in the Work of God, currently serves as Office Manager for the Living Church of God headquarters facilities. With many years of professional experience behind him, Mr. West recently addressed this year’s Living Education students on principles of building a productive work ethic.

Engagement Drives Performance

Mr. West referenced a Gallup poll on disengagement in the workplace, revealing a startling 85% of employees are not engaged in their work. Being actively engaged is a critical element of a strong work ethic and success in the workplace—and disengagement from one’s work is a dangerous threat to productivity. 

“What about us?” Mr. West inquired. For those of us seeking to follow God’s way, we should strive to make sure we are engaged not only in our work, but in our calling. Mr. West reminded the students that engagement drives performance—and in order for it to drive us, it must be coupled with a strong work ethic.

Five Pillars

“Have you ever had a job you didn’t want to do?” Mr. West asked. While we could give any number of answers based on personal experience, it is important to remember that our attitude while doing a job is deeply important. We should strive not only to do the things that need to be done, but to find something to enjoy about it. Mr. West also reminded the students that we are all answerable to someone—and we are all ultimately answerable to Christ for our work ethic. Continuing, Mr. West shared five pillars of building a productive work ethic.

Pillar 1: Purpose

Finding a purpose for your work—a “why”—is critical. Having the proper motivation means we will be driven to achieve greater results, and will allow us to be more effectively engaged in what we do. This also applies to more than just our professional lives—it applies to our spiritual lives as well. We need to align our personal goals with our spiritual ones, and to have a proper perspective on why we do what we do in life.

Pillar 2: Diligence

Mr. West encouraged the students to take initiative and exemplify diligence. Reading from Proverbs 6:6-8, he stated: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Our initiative and willingness to go the extra mile elevates the quality of our work, and helps us achieve greater results.

Pillar 3: Responsibility

As both workers and as Christians, we are always accountable to someone—and we are ultimately accountable before God. Keeping this in mind is important, and we should bear in mind the principle found in Luke 16:10: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” When we are receptive to correction and bear responsibility well, we shine before those whom we serve.

Pillar 4: Excellence

Applying excellence is another deeply important component of being a good worker and a good Christian. We should strive to apply excellence and quality to everything we are given to do. Being good stewards of what we’ve been given shows character, integrity, and honor.

Pillar 5: Endurance

Mr. West emphasized the importance of endurance and growth. We should constantly be maintaining our energy and effort, and looking for ways to grow. We should also expand this mindset into seeking to help others grow—this, Mr. West reminded the students, is the definition of altruism. The process by which we achieve our results does matter, and we should make sure we maintain our level of endurance.

Take a Craftsman’s Approach

Mr. West offered principles that not only foster engagement and help develop a stronger work ethic, but also have a dual application to our spiritual life. Our Christian walk requires both our engagement and our constant effort. Mr. West encouraged the students to take a “craftsman’s approach” to our work—applying care, effort, and love to the work we’ve been given to do.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Mike DeSimone: Switchtasking

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Michael DeSimone serves as Manager of Broadcast and Digital Media for the Church. In his experience overseeing the telecast and other media productions, success relies heavily on a structured, organized approach to the work at hand. But our success is often inhibited by poor habits, including one that is all too common today: multitasking.

The Myth of Multitasking

Mr. DeSimone explained that while common, the term “multitasking” is actually a misnomer. The habit of multitasking can be more accurately described as “switchtasking.” While it is easy to think of multitasking as the act of working on multiple tasks simultaneously, what is really occurring is a series of micro “switches” between tasks in your brain. While it can be tempting, and even easy, switchtasking has several long-term negative effects on the brain and can actually inhibit productivity. Switching between tasks diverts attention, breaks focus, and makes it difficult to prioritize or make efficient progress.

Lean

Mr. DeSimone shared the principles of Lean—an approach to business that incorporates 5 S’s: Sort; Set in Order; Shine; Standardize; and Sustain. Each of these principles is part of an organized, systematic approach to work tasks. In order to achieve optimal results, sorting has to be the first step. There may be all kinds of distracting, unnecessary clutter in the way that needs to be removed. Next, things should be set in order—arranged in a way that works. Shine refers to keeping everything clean and orderly. Standardizing involves the ideal state resulting from these steps, while sustaining refers to maintaining it.

Building Conscious Habits

These principles of systematic organization can be applied to many aspects of our lives. We come across information daily, and we take on numerous responsibilities at work and at home. Managing our approach to the information we take in is critical to personal and professional success, especially as we grow in our Christian walk. Mr. DeSimone’s message served as a reminder to consciously maintain healthy and intentional habits, and to avoid the myth of multitasking.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Mario Hernandez: Put it Into Practice

/in

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In the first forum of the 2025-26 school year, Mr. Mario Hernandez—an evangelist overseeing the Work in Spanish—congratulated this year’s class on their decision to come to Living Education. Mr. Hernandez recalled the history of the Church’s educational institutions, and reminded the students of an important point: the knowledge gained through Living Education must be applied.

Knowledge is Not Enough

Mr. Hernandez’s admonition is not a new one. He referenced Deuteronomy 4:5-6, stating: “I have taught you statutes and judgments… therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

God links application of instruction with wisdom. We develop wisdom by taking what we’ve learned and actively applying it to our daily lives. Instruction and learning are important—but if we neglect putting what we’ve learned into practice, we strip everything we’ve learned of its value. The instruction that students receive through Living Education can be of lasting benefit for their futures—but only if it is put into practice. 

Be Diligent!

Mr. Hernandez stressed that these principles can be applied at any age. God has chosen us to be firstfruits in His Kingdom—a role we should not take lightly. He can begin working with us at any age, at the time of His choosing. We are never too young or too old to apply the principles we’ve been given. We have a responsibility to do so, passing on the benefit we’ve been given to others. He mentioned Luke 12:48, stating that “To whom much is given, from him much will be required.”

Mr. Hernandez reminded the students that we don’t need to wait to apply these principles. We must be diligent both to seek knowledge and to apply it in our lives—and the best time to start is now.

The Importance of Prayer

One important aspect of successfully applying godly principles to our Christian walk is prayer. Mr. Hernandez admonished the students to keep up with prayer and study. If we neglect our relationship with God, we can become distant from Him. Distance from God results in spiritual weakness, a warning that Mr. Hernandez shared with firmness.

This world is filled with distractions, violence, promiscuity, and perversion. In the face of such ever-present challenges, we cannot compromise or allow our character to be eroded.. We must put in the effort to call on God, asking for His help to put His principles into practice. If we maintain a strong, faithful connection with our heavenly Father, we will be able to overcome and enter God’s Kingdom.

Use What You Have Been Given

Mr. Hernandez reminded the students that they have been given a rare and wonderful opportunity. The next nine months will be a time of intense learning and instruction—and each day will bring new opportunities to apply principles learned to daily life. All of us are students of God’s way of life, learning and growing, and we have a responsibility to not only learn, but find ways to use the gifts that we have been given by God.

012A4131-S

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.