The Classroom Called Life

By Darren Bennett

Darren is an Australian author who loves to share a good yarn. This book is a collection of some of the lessons he has learned in the classroom called life. In a light-hearted and conversational style, he writes about his many zany adventures. Darren had to hang on for dear life in a cyclone that destroyed

• Language: English
• Publisher: DARREN BENNETT
• Release date: Mar 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781922340917

Book preview

THE CLASSROOM CALLED LIFE

DARREN BENNETT

THE CLASSROOM CALLED LIFE

REVIEWS

Reading The Classroom Called Life is like going on an adventure in your living room. Journey with Darren as he shares meaningful life lessons through real stories that will make you laugh, cry and shake your head in extraordinary disbelief.

Chauntelle Jones—Teacher The Southport School Gold Coast

What an awesome book. If you want to be deeply challenged and inspired to live an adventurous big full life this is a must-read. Throughout, I laughed out loud, at times I cried, and from beginning to end...I was moved. Looking forward to your next book Darren."

Phil Mansfield—Regional Sales Manager Bristol Myers Squibb

What an interesting and different book! I totally enjoyed this funny, honest and entertaining account of the life and experiences of Darren. Written by a teacher-Darren is true to his professional call and Christian faith, using the text, outlining his ups and downs, to explain how his faith and trust in Jesus has seen him through.  The reader at times becomes a learner- drawn into Darren’s great story-telling; weaving faith and scripture with possible applications to the reader’s life.  No greater clue to the purpose of the book is the use of Lessons rather than Chapters. Yet, the entertainment value is still there and is not diminished by the duality of the purpose of the book.

Ros Weatherhead—Retired Teacher 40 years' experience

Darren tells a genuine and engaging story. He recounts events in a humble and open manner. I would look forward to picking up this book as it kept evoking insights and smiles. The Good News shines through these pages.

Dr Barry Neighbour - Retired teacher 35 years’ experience

Darren seems to have been born with a certain capacity for grabbing hold of life, shaking out every possible moment of fullness contained therein. Because his faith in God is solid, that sense of fullness is the reason these stories are way more than chatty anecdotes. They are layered, offering deliciously honest insights into the Christian life. This book is a delight.

Joy Graetz - Pastor Australian Christian Churches

Darren’s story is honest, revealing and inspiring. Peppered with many amusing moments Darren shares his life’s journey. Taking the reader’s hand he walks you through the fields and events of his life … taking time to stop, consider and reflect. I loved the book.

Susann Storer - Business Development Specialist

This book is a treasure trove, reflecting the diversity of his life experiences and learnings in a series of easy-to-read short stories that challenge us to take a journey of self-discovery and transformation as we reflect on our own lives. I encourage you to read and enjoy this book as I have.

Ross Smith - Bachelor of Architecture, retired public servant

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my wife of thirty-six years, Dorothy. Thank you, Dorothy, for being the most authentic Christian I know. You have taught me much about love, life, and faith over many years.

FOREWORD

Darren Bennett is one of us. For too long, we have been duped into believing that we can only learn from someone with a recognisable name. Darren blows that myth sky-high by sharing life experiences that will enrich your life and allow you to reset your aspirations to live a rich, meaningful, and fulfilling life.

For most of my life, I have been a keen student of people—first as a leader in the military for ten years, and then as a leader in the church world for almost forty years. It has been enthralling to watch the various responses of fellow sojourners to times of success or crisis. The most disappointing aspect of my observations has been the apparent reluctance of so many to learn from the experiences of others.

I have known Darren Bennett for over thirty-five years. He knows success and failure firsthand from some of the most personally challenging and emotionally-absorbing circumstances life can fling at you. He has been to the depths and risen to the heights. It has been said that life is race, and Darren has never stopped running and learning.

Leadership is influence, and Darren has inspired, encouraged, and guided the lives of hundreds of young people and adults as he has walked in and out, and in and out, and in and out of the classroom called life. He proves that life is a teacher not to be afraid of, but one to embrace and learn from.

I have listened to Darren talk about some of his classroom experiences. Be it on a stage before hundreds or privately with individuals, he speaks in the most disarming and endearing style, and it lifts even the most sceptical individual to a new place of dreaming about possibilities previously considered impossible.

This book is a must-read for every serious life traveller and, as you turn the pages, you will laugh, cry, and finish with the overwhelming belief that you too can learn in the classroom called life from someone who is one of us.

Phillip Mutzelburg

Pastor & President Emeritus A2A

EDITORIAL NOTE

As you read this book, it will not take you long to discover that Darren is a Christian with a great enthusiasm for life and learning. He has written this book of rich personal experiences through the lens of his faith, highlighting in various places how the Bible provides compelling insights and guidance. This book illustrates how we might respond to the variety of circumstances and experiences we encounter as we move through what Darren calls the classroom called life.

Regardless of your faith position, the life lessons covered in this book are common to everyone. Darren presents them in an authentic and thought-provoking way that leads us on a journey of self-discovery, allowing us to reflect on our own life experiences and beliefs.

The Classroom Called Life

Copyright © Darren Bennett 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

ISBN 978-1-922340-90-0 Paperback

ISBN 978-1-922340-91-7 E-book

A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia

International Trade Paperback Edition

Edited by Ocean Reeve Publishing

Front cover, photography design and formatting by Alice Joyful Graphic Designer

First printed 2020 / Printed in Australia by CPX Printing and Logistics Pty Ltd

Published by Darren Bennett and CPX Printing and Logistics Pty Ltd

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, NIV (New International Version)

While all the stories in this book are true, some names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

Contents

Introduction

1. Lesson 1

IT IS ALL TRUE

2. Lesson 2

YOU’RE ON THE AIR

3. Lesson 3

SORRY UNCLE JIMMY

4. Lesson 4

ANYWHERE ANYTIME

5. Lesson 5

THE AUSSIE BATTLERS

6. Lesson 6

OUR STORY

7. Lesson 7

BUFFALO

8. Lesson 8

SURPRISE

9. Lesson 9

HE HAS SOMEONE

10. Lesson 10

1 4 EVER

11. Lesson 11

ROW DARREN ROW

12. Lesson 12

REVEREND DARREN

13. Lesson 13

PRESSURE COOKER

14. Lesson 14

SUPERPOWERS

15. Lesson 15

TIMES OF REFRESHING

16. Lesson 16

DAZ

17. Lesson 17

BUNNY TIME

18. Lesson 18

WHEN I SAY JUMP

19. Lesson 19

THE SNOW TOUR

20. Lesson 20

TAKE ANOTHER STEP

21. Lesson 21

THE CHAPEL

22. Lesson 22

WHISTLER’S MOTHER

23. Lesson 23

THE TWO MULETIDES’

24. Lesson 24

BACK IN TIME

25. Lesson 25

PETER

26. Lesson 26

THE PRIME MINISTER

27. Lesson 27

JACK

28. Lesson 28

CHRISTMAS DAY 1974

29. Lesson 29

DO SOMETHING

30. Lesson 30

IN YOUR HANDS

31. Lesson 31

GRIEF

32. Lesson 32

A HEALTHIER ME

33. Lesson 33

FULLY PRESENT

34. Lesson 34

THE HUG

35. Lesson 35

SAY A LITTLE PRAYER

36. Lesson 36

RAYMOND EDMONDS

37. Lesson 37

THE BIG DAY

38. Lesson 38

FIRST CLASS

39. Lesson 39

THE PAST

40. Lesson 40

THE FUTURE

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Connect with me

Notes

Introduction

Wisdom comes from experience, either the experience of others or of oneself. And to let experience do its work, a person has to be open to receiving the lessons that it has to teach.

—Henry Cloud

I had the great joy of teaching high school students for twenty-five years. I was a business and accounting teacher, and had the thrill of being the leader of the Faculty of Business and Technology for twenty of those years. Most of my preparation time was spent doing what I would call ‘the bread and butter’ of the job—planning and delivering lessons. One of the greatest pleasures of my profession came when a lesson hit the mark and achieved its goal: when students were engaged in the learning process, on task, and understanding what I was saying. Those who paid attention, asked the right questions, worked hard to understand the concepts being taught, and applied the learning effectively were the most successful students.

A key to delivering effective lessons was the classroom. For most of my teaching career, I was allocated one classroom which, on student timetables, was called IC4.

I never really knew what IC4 stood for, but my students understood that this was Mr Bennett’s classroom. It was a special place where students congregated and, hopefully, where learning took place. Although only a backdrop, it played a vital role in the learning experience.

I think life and all its intricacies are like a classroom. Lessons learned can come from anywhere and at any time. In my life, I have had the pleasure (or otherwise) of learning lessons from my wife and children, from my many and varied jobs over the years, and even from my pets. I have also met incredible people who have taught me so much. I learned a thing or two from surviving Cyclone Tracy in Darwin in 1974, and from being on the cruise ship TSS Fairsky when it almost sank off the coast of Jakarta in 1977. I have learned valuable lessons from costly mistakes and from the triumphs which I am proud to share. All these lessons have shaped, moved, and moulded me over the years.

This is what I call the classroom called life.

Are these lessons worth sharing? Yes! Why? Because my wife, children, colleagues, and the students I taught have said this to me emphatically, ‘Get these stories on paper!’ If there is something that stands out in the various cards and comments I received from students over the years, it is this repeated comment, ‘Mr Bennett, I loved your stories.’

My goal as a teacher was to inspire and encourage young people to be people of character, to be difference-makers, and to believe for big things. I wanted nothing more than to see the students I taught go on to live a hope-filled, joyful life.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate that God desires the same for us, and thus He uses all of life to teach, train, and educate. Why? Because God loves us deeply; because He is our Father; because He wants the best for us, both here on earth and for all of eternity in heaven.

It is not hard for me to see God in the role of a teacher. King David was a shepherd and, out of his experiences of caring for sheep, he gleaned something of God’s character. David penned Psalm 23, not from a shepherd’s perspective but the sheep’s perspective. He wrote, ‘The Lord is my shepherd,’ (Ps 23:1). David wrote as if he was a student. I write this book not as a teacher, but as a student.

These are some of the lessons I have learned from my shepherd in the classroom called life. Happy reading.

Lesson 1

IT IS ALL TRUE

When truth presents itself, the wise person sees the light, takes it in, and makes adjustments.

—Henry Cloud

Early on Sunday morning, 27 June 2011, I flew from my hometown in Brisbane to Melbourne. I was there for just one purpose.

From the airport, I caught a bus to the city, dropped my bags off at the hotel, and then trammed it to Richmond (an inner-city suburb a couple of kilometres from the city centre). I was going to Bridge Church and arrived just as the service began. The name of the church had changed, the people were younger, the music was louder, and the building had been upgraded, but, as I entered the auditorium, I felt an excitement surge through my body. Thirty years previously, on that very day, I had become a Christian.

I wanted to visit the church where I had made that commitment all those years ago. As I sat there half-listening to the message, my mind drifted back to that life-altering moment.

My heart was pounding. My mouth was dry. My head was in my hands. Wasn’t I a Christian? Wasn’t I a good person? I didn’t swear. I didn’t steal. I paid my taxes. I’m sure God was going to let me in heaven. The pastor asked again, ‘Would anyone here like to become a Christian? If so, please come forward, and one of our leaders will talk and pray with you about this important decision.’ The music kept playing. That question kept reverberating in my mind, I am a good person, do I really need to become a Christian?

Six months prior to this moment, I had been kicking a football around on the front lawn of my house.

I was eighteen years old and living with my parents in Darwin. Across the road, lived the Timson family, and over time I had become good friends with Robbie, who was my age. He lived with his mother and his older brother, Wayne.

Occasionally, I would see Wayne, but we rarely talked. On this particular day though, he decided to walk across the road to have a chat. After some small talk, he asked me if I would be interested in attending their church. He then talked about what his church was like, saying that it had relevant messages, joyful singing, and that prayers were being answered. This truly sounded wacky so, in the nicest possible way, I said, ‘No’.

He then said something which annoyed me: ‘Well, I’m going to get my church to pray for you.’

I thought, Why did he have to say that? What had I done wrong? Why did I deserve this treatment? Oddly enough, as the months went by, my interest in God and in going to church grew. Wayne must have meant it when he said that he would ask the church to pray for me.

Six months after that initial conversation, I was in Melbourne on a backpacker holiday, and, after going through the yellow pages, I found a church in Richmond that was close to where I was staying. This was my chance to see what he had been talking about.

Sunday morning, 27 June 1981, I stood at the entry to a building which looked like an old post office, debating whether to go in. After a couple of deep breaths, I walked in. Immediately, I was awestruck by the exuberance of the singing. People were dancing, lifting their hands, and clapping. I must admit I liked what I saw. I arrived a little late, but that did not stop a guy about my age, Mark, from approaching me and offering to sit with me.

After the service, he invited me to have lunch with him and a few of his mates. I was impressed. He was friendly and accepting and didn’t seem to have any expectations about my responses (or lack of them). I never felt that he looked down on me because let’s face it, I was a numbskull about Christianity and the subject of Jesus, the Son of God.

After lunch, we hung out for the rest of the day. He invited me back to the church that night, and I was keen to go along. I have never forgotten Mark’s friendship that day and his willingness to hang out with a stranger.

That night, there was more singing and another message from the pastor. He spoke about God’s love for humanity, His desire for reconciliation, and how we had turned our backs on God. He spoke about Jesus coming to earth, seeking out lost people, and, ultimately, giving up His life by dying on a cross to pay the price for our wrongdoings. He spoke about the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today; that His promises of eternal life are true. He said that Jesus offers forgiveness for all who believe this.

Then came the challenge from the pastor to the audience. ‘Would you like to become a Christian and begin a journey as a follower of Christ?’ He invited people to come forward. I was still sure that my supposedly righteous life meant that I was a Christian, but my heart started pounding. I could hardly sit still. I’m not going forward, I thought to myself. He prolonged the altar call.

In my heart, I cried out, God, help me understand. I am a good person, so why am I feeling conflicted? The truth was, as I reflected on that moment, I didn’t really understand who God was, what He had done for me and how much I needed Him. I prayed in my mind with all the sincerity I could muster, God, help me to know that this is all real. That this is not a hoax. That You are real. That this is all true.

The moment I finished praying, I felt an incredible peace come over me. This was no ordinary feeling. I experienced something that, to this day, is hard to describe. Something remarkable happened deep inside me. My senses came alive, and it dawned on me—as if someone had removed a blindfold—that Jesus, written about in the Bible and in history books, was real and alive. It is all true, I thought. I stood, walked to the front, and decided to become a Christian. That evening, I had an encounter with the living God. I felt His presence