Teaching is Essential – What Jesus Said and How It Applies Today
Are you teaching others? What can you do today to make a difference in someone’s life? What do you know that could be of value of others following Jesus? Is your experience and knowledge useful to more than yourself? One of the most important things we do as followers of Jesus is to help others follow Jesus. This is not an individual effort; it is a community effort. There is a simple pattern that you can follow to help others follow Jesus. And when we do this together, it becomes powerful and unstoppable!
Important!
Before I get to that simple pattern, we must be convinced that this is important.
In the book of Judges, there is a very sad statement: another generation grew up that did not know the Lord. Moses had given clear instructions that the people were to constantly talk about the Lord and all he had done and was doing. The people failed at that point. In Judges, there is a tragic cycle of failure, suffering and repentance. It is a lesson for us!
Jesus also gave us the commission to make disciples – teaching them everything in his word! Since Jesus used the word ‘teaching’, I will also use this word to refer to what we are to be doing all the time.
Someone has said that we are one generation removed from the death of the church. That is always true. We must pass on the lessons of the faith that we have learned. We must help others follow Jesus.
A Simple Pattern
Teaching others about God’s word doesn’t need to be difficult and it doesn’t require an advanced degree in theology or doctrine.
Here’s the pattern – take what you learn and pass it on. Take time each day to read the Bible and when you learn something, pass it on to someone else. It may be an application to your life, an encouragement or a correction.
When we pass the lessons we learn to someone else, we are helping them follow Jesus.
When you pass it on, let it happen in a conversational way. Part of our lives as followers of Jesus is to engage in casual conversation about all he has done and is doing! This takes some practice so start with followers of Jesus you know well – even family members. The more you do it, the more natural it will become.
The Gift of Teaching
There is a gift of teaching that is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Some have that gift. If you have that gift, you must nurture it with prayer and careful study of God’s Word.
Those so gifted must use their gift to teach others who also have that gift! Paul places that expectation on Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2. With careful discernment that God gives, you can find those who will pass on what God has revealed to you.
The Equipment of a Teacher
Whether or not you have the gift of teaching, what you need to be effective is the same.
Prayer. Constant communication with God is essential not just for your spiritual health but to make you effective in helping others follow Jesus. As your relationship with Jesus grows you will see opportunities and have the words to say. So many lessons worth passing on are found in prayer.
God’s Word. We have God’s will for our lives. It is bound up in our Bibles. Reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word will strengthen your faith and give you an endless supply of lessons for your life that can be passed on!
Daily time in prayer and the word fuel your life.
Purpose of a Teacher
For followers of Jesus, the purpose of teaching is simply to help others follow Jesus. Helping others follow Jesus also helps us follow Jesus. When we share a lesson, we place ourselves in a position to be held accountable. You cannot give someone godly counsel without that counsel having instructed your life as well!
Even more powerfully, the purpose of teaching makes us more like Jesus. He was a master teacher with perfect insight and through the Spirit of God, he still teaches! When we simply pass on what he is teaching us, we become more like him!
Your Turn
Two options for you:
- Pass this blog post on to someone – share it on social media. Leave a comment on our Facebook page.
- Take a lesson God has given you from his word recently and tell someone. If you need more courage, ask for it. You can even share it in the comments section of this blog or on our Facebook page!
Recent Comments