2nd August 2024
The teacher in you
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
Many of us read this passage and feel that it is talking about someone else. We know we are not apostles, prophets or even pastors and teachers so we quickly move on, wishing them well. We know these verses talk about the spiritual gifts and roles that people have in the church and believe they are reserved for ministers, not lay members like us. But is this true?
Let me ask you some questions. Do you like people and love learning new things? Are you a good listener? Are you patient? When asked a question you don’t know the answer to, are you humbly able to say, ‘I don’t know but let’s see if we can find out’?
If you have answered yes to all of these questions or even just some, perhaps you are a better teacher than you think. Being a good teacher is not just reserved for those confident enough to stand up in front of others in a classroom or lecture hall, and talk. Good teaching can happen anywhere and with anyone. It can happen between friends and/or acquaintances, in a small or large group, at home or outside the home. We are constantly learning from each other. The important point is that we first seek to learn, drawing close to God with an open heart and mind. We need to be teachable, then we are in a position to share with others what we have first learned from him through the Holy Spirit.
We are told in 1 Peter 3:15: ‘…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone…’. Notice first that the question has to be asked, hence the need for a good teacher to be a good listener. Answering gives us an opportunity to teach in gentleness and with respect. Our motivation is not to draw attention to ourselves, or to build ourselves up. Instead, it is, as the header scripture tells us, ‘…to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ It is for the good of others in the church and the kingdom of God.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul talks about the Holy Spirit giving each Christian special gifts for building up the church, and if we have these gifts it is crucial that we use them. If you have been given the gift of teaching – and I believe most of us have – shouldn’t we be asking the Holy Spirit to show us when and how to use it? Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6, ‘…fan into flame the gift of God…’. Don’t ignore the gift of teaching others, instead stay fired up in service to God, and at the same time, always be open to learning from other gifted teachers who are simply trying to serve you too.
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, you have given each one of us gifts to use in service of others. Stir up our hearts to use these gifts and point people to you. Bless us with opportunities to humbly teach others as we are first taught by the Holy Spirit, and in everything let us bring glory to your name, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Study by Jackie Mill
About the writer:
Jackie Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church