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Teaching Others
All those who serve the Lord are to be "apt" or "able" to teach others:
And the servant of the Lord must be...apt to teach...(II Timothy 2:24)
Paul corrected some believers because they were spiritually immature and could not teach:
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach
you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become
such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12)
The word "teach" means to instruct, show, demonstrate, inform, impart knowledge, train and guide the studies of another.
Without teachers, unsaved people are like sheep without a shepherd. They do not
understand which way to go:
And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)
Even believers have problems without proper teaching. God said...
MY PEOPLE are destroyed for lack of knowledge...(Hosea 4:6)
There are two main objectives of Biblical preaching and teaching: Evangelism and discipleship. God uses believers who are part of His Church to accomplish these
objectives.
The main purpose of God in the earth is described in the book of Ephesians:
...According to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ...(Ephesians 1:9-10)
In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
God's purpose is that every person be brought into a personal relationship with Himself through Jesus. His method of accomplishing this purpose is to use the Church:
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord... (Ephesians 3:10-11)
Each believer is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lead others to a right relationship with God. This is called "evangelism".
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Evangelism and discipleship are the main objectives of Biblical teaching and preaching.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (II Timothy 2:2)
Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (Galatians 6:6)
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...let us wait on our ministering...he that teacheth, on teaching. (Romans 12:4-7)
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)
Teaching man's rules, commandments, and doctrines is "vain", unsuccessful and accomplishes no good purpose. Biblical teaching is not based on the wisdom of man:
Which things also we speak, not in the word which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (I Corinthians 2:13)
God's wisdom accomplishes His purposes in the lives of those taught:
...Christ in you, the hope of glory; Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:27-28)
Teachers must live what they teach:
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? (Romans 2:21-22) (See also Matthew 5:19)
Teachers must live what they teach because they will be judged on the basis of what they
have taught:
My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (James 3:1)
Teachers must have experiential knowledge of God's Word. This means they must understand through experience [not just head knowledge] what they are teaching. Paul
speaks of those who...
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (I Timothy 1:7)
Understanding comes through experience and application of God's Word in your own life.
Biblical teaching is empowered by divine agents. This means there are spiritual powers
behind such teaching. It is not just the teaching of a man. The divine agents of Biblical
teaching are God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
GOD THE FATHER: Ephesians 4:11
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
JESUS CHRIST:
Jesus Christ, God's Son, is the greatest spiritual teacher of all times. Jesus was sent to
earth by God the Father:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him. (John 3:2)
Since Jesus was sent to earth as a teacher representing God, He is the example for Biblical
teachers to follow. Jesus is the one who sends believers to the world as teachers:
As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)
THE HOLY SPIRIT:
When Jesus returned to Heaven following His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit was
sent by God to be the resident teacher in believers. The Holy Spirit dwells within your
spirit and teaches you the things of God:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)
Additional functions of the Holy Spirit in teaching are revealed in the following passages.
The Holy Spirit:
Gives instruction in "all things" Jesus taught (John 14:26).
Helps you remember what you learn (John 14:26).
Guides you into all truth (John 16:13).
Declares [announces] future events in God's plan (John 16:13).
Reveals the "deep things" of God (I Corinthians 2:10).
Is the wisdom behind Biblical teaching (I Corinthians 2:13).
Teaches you what to say in crisis situations (Luke 12:12).
Anoints you to teach and minister (Luke 4:18, I John 2:27).
Enables prayer for students (Romans 8:26).
The Holy Spirit is also at work in the lives of those you teach:
As you teach, the Holy Ghost is the spiritual power that convicts sinners and
causes them to respond to the Gospel message (John 16:7-11).
The Holy Spirit reveals the Lord Jesus Christ to them (John 16:14).
The Holy Spirit leads them into the "born again" experience (John 3:5,6,8).
He will lead them to life in the Spirit instead of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
He will witness to their hearts the truths of God's Word (Acts 5:29-32).
FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The "fruit" of the Holy Spirit was evident in the life of Jesus. Spiritual "fruit" refers to
the positive qualities the Holy Spirit wants to develop in the lives of all believers:
...The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Each "Spirit filled" teacher of God's Word should also have these same qualities. It is spiritual fruit, not gifts, that are the true test of ministry:
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? (Matthew 12:23)
Jesus also was a model of proper attitudes that should be evident in the lives of teachers of God's Word. The following Scriptures illustrate these attitudes:
Jesus had great compassion for people and their needs: Matthew 15:32; Mark 1:32-35;
8:2-3; Luke 10:54-56; 19:41
This compassion led Him to intercession for those He taught: Matthew 11:21-24; 23:37-
39
This resulted in concern for the Father's business: Luke 2:49; 4:43; John 4:34; 9:4
Jesus had an attitude of no condemnation towards those He taught: (Mark 2:17; John
8:1-11). He accepted people where they were and then led them to the level of faith
where they should be. He did not condemn Thomas when He doubted (John 20:24-29).
He did not condemn the ruler who felt it necessary that Jesus come to his house to pray
for his daughter (Matthew 9:18-26) although it had already been shown this was not
necessary (Matthew 8:5-13).
Although Jesus did not condemn, He was uncompromising with sin. This means He did not in any way approve of it or overlook it: Matthew 11:21-24; 15:3-9; 12:12-13; Mark
10:17; Luke 5:31-32; 19:45-46
Jesus demonstrated a trust in God for the impossible: Mark 10:17; 11:22-24; Luke 18:27
He demonstrated boldness and authority in His teaching: Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 8:38;
11:24-33; Luke 5:24
Most important, He had a servant's attitude toward those to whom He ministered:
Matthew 20:25-28; 23:2-12; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-27
Jesus taught because He was commissioned by God to do so. The mission [reason or
purpose] of Jesus is summarized in the following Scriptures:
Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13)
Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
(Jesus meant His message would cause division; some would accept it and some would
not.)
I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)
For the Son of Man is come to save that which is lost. (Matthew 18:11) (See also Luke 19:10).
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17)
Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore I came forth. (Mark 1:38)
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them... (Luke 9:56)
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-48)
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. (John 4:34)
For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (John 6:38)
...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth... (John 18:37)
I am come a light unto the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 12:46)
I speak that which I have seen with my Father...(John 8:38)
...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly. (John 10:10)
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