Teaching

Romans 12:6-7 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Believers have been called to teach. Teaching is the primary mode of instruction in the body of Christ. It is the way the Lord instructed us to make disciples. Teachers therefore have a key role in shaping the body of Christ by instructing us in the apostles' doctrine. When a church is established on the apostles doctrine, it cannot miss God. There are those which run off the tangent and hit shipwreck. We learn in Acts that the believers continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. How did they do so, because of the faithful teachers God gave them. Any sound bible teacher does well to teach you the whole counsel of God.

There are teachers who initiate what is to be taught while there are others who have to repeat what they have been taught. That is the beauty in copying and following other men of God. Many who start out in ministry do  not have the opportunity to go to Bible schools. They therefore rely on relaying what others have taught before. I see many young ministers trying as much to come up with their own revelations which leads to err. Instead if they can follow closely what the proven teachers of the gospel have taught previously, they wouldn't lack what to preach each time. There are thousands of good sermons, books they do well to immerse themselves into. Following is not weakness but strength. It's will be hard to lose track if you did. One will preach with a lot of authority if they simply preach what they have been taught.

All teachers are for you. Whatever has been revealed to them is yours. So don't fear to listen them and preach what they have taught.

Paul taught Timothy and instructed him to teach what he taught him to other faithful men who would reach others also. As stated above, in this case Paul was the initiator while Timothy was a repeater. So discover your place early. Are you a Paul or a Timothy?

If you are a Timothy, don't try to be an original, be an allos (another of the same kind) of your teacher. Quote your teacher as often, acknowledge him in your writings. Some imitate walking, dressing styles but the best imitation is in the spirit through what you teach. People will still follow you even when you acknowledge that all you know is from another teacher of yours.

Some say they don't need teachers because they have the Holy Spirit as their teacher. But it is the same Holy Spirit who has planted these teachers to perfect the body for the work of the ministry. So both scriptures cannot be interpreted independently apart from each other but should be commentaries of the other. From the day one gets saved, they don't know what is right or wrong. That's why teachers should play a huge role in their spiritual growth to a point where they can study the Word themselves and get to hear what God is telling them. We cannot afford to have them make unnecessary mistakes in their walk yet we can warn and rebuke them in their path of growth. So by all means teachers/teaching is very important.

When Paul instructed the church at Corinth that they should desire to prophesy, one form of prophesy is through sound teaching which edifies, comforts and exhorts. James on the other hand warns that teachers carry a heavier judgement because they should demonstrate what they teach to the world. Whenever you teach something, it should be wrought in you, or you should be a living example of it. The people you preach to are always checking out whether what they teach rhymes with what they do. You better straighten up your ways otherwise you risk being like some who say do as I say, not as I do. That statement cannot work in the Christendom. You cannot afford to deliver a sermon which is not backed by the power of your actions otherwise it becomes mere talk.

The Word of God is our example in all things. Why repeat mistakes which bible characters have made or those in church history when you can simply read or listen from a good teacher instruct you why they did so and how you can avoid the same? That former for  of learning is by hard knocks. Don't try to learn by hard knocks, simply look out from the best teachers through the guidance of your pastor so that you grow in doctrine.

Whether you are a worshipper, an usher, a sound person, you need to have sound doctrine to minister better. You need to know about the doctrine of faith, love, giving, healing, baptism, healing etc otherwise you're ministry will lack depth and power to cause impact because you will be running by your strength and not the strength of God. Humble down and study your word in light of what you've been taught.

EK