"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE"

The Discipline Of Teaching

INTRODUCTION
  1. Reviewing once more what we have covered in this series...
    1. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
    2. Meditation - contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
    3. Fasting - a means of humbling one's self before God when joined with sincere prayer
    4. Singing - which edifies the singer as well as praises God
    5. Fellowship - communing with other Christians as we engage in spiritual activities
    6. Giving - sharing sacrificially of money, time, and ability as God's grace allows
  2. If a person spends much time exercising themselves in such spiritual disciplines...
    1. They will undoubtedly grow in grace and knowledge as disciples of Christ
    2. They will likely be able to share the benefits of such growth with others
  3. That naturally leads us to the discipline of teaching...
    1. Another spiritual exercise that can help us become more like Christ
    2. For certainly He was the Master Teacher, who taught in public and private

[In discussing teaching as a spiritual discipline, let's first make an observation or two about...]

  1. THE DUTY OF TEACHING
    1. NOT ALL ARE TEACHERS...
      1. There is the gift of teaching - Ro 12:3-8
        1. Not every member has the same function in the body of Christ
        2. Some are gifted by ability and opportunity to be teachers
      2. Not everyone is a teacher - 1Co 12:28-31
        1. Just as not everyone is an apostle
        2. Though we should strive to become the best we can be in Christ
      3. There is danger in becoming a teacher - Jm 3:1-2
        1. There is stricter judgment for teachers
        2. Which is why not many should become teachers
        -- This pertains to teaching in a formal sense - cf. Ep 4:11-12
    2. BUT ALL SHOULD TEACH...
      1. Preachers should teach others - 2Ti 2:2
        1. Not just when evangelizing
        2. But also when training disciples
      2. Elders should teach the flock - 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:9
        1. Inherit in their duty as pastors to feed the flock
        2. Sufficiently conversant in the Word to guard against error
      3. Teachers who have the gift of teaching - Ro 12:6-7
        1. Not just teachers of adult classes
        2. But those with the ability to teach children!
      4. Parents are to teach their children - Ep 6:4; 2Ti 1:5; 3:15
        1. Fathers bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord
        2. Mothers and grandmothers doing the same as Eunice and Lois did for Timothy
      5. Older women should teach (KJV) the younger women - Tit 2:3-5
        1. To train and admonish younger women as wives and mothers
        2. Which can be done informally as well as formally
      6. Everyone should teach others concerning their hope - 1Pe 3:15
        1. We are to have a hope that is visible
        2. We are to be able to provide a reason for that hope
        -- Informally at least, everyone should be able to teach - cf. He 5:12

      [Teaching in one way or another is incumbent on us all. That we might desire to teach, consider...]

  2. THE DELIGHT OF TEACHING
    1. THE FRUIT BORN IN OURSELVES...
      1. William Glasser (psychologist) said that we learn:
        1. 10% of what we read
        2. 20% of what we hear
        3. 30% of what we see
        4. 50% of what we see and hear
        5. 70% of what we discuss with others
        6. 80% of what we experience personally
        7. 95% of what we teach others
      2. Thus we benefit...
        1. Not just by the study required to teach
        2. But by the actual process of teaching to others!
      3. The blessedness of teaching comes from:
        1. First, meditating on God's Word - cf. Ps 1:1-3
        2. Second, doing God's Word - cf. Jn 13:17; Jm 1:25
        3. Finally, teaching itself, especially when we see the fruit that comes (see next)
        -- Who benefits most from teaching? The teacher!
    2. THE FRUIT BORN IN OTHERS...
      1. Note the great joy experienced by John - 3Jn 3-4
        1. He had heard of those he taught walking in truth
        2. Hearing that was his greatest joy
      2. Note the joy and comfort experienced by the aged Paul - Phm 4-7
        1. He heard of Philemon's love and faith
        2. Which refreshed his heart and the hearts of others
      3. Note the hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing - 1Th 1:3; 2:19
        1. He remembered their faith, love and hope
        2. It gave him great anticipation regarding the Lord's coming
      4. Thus there is great joy from seeing the fruit of our teaching
        1. Seeing people respond to the gospel in faith, repentance, and baptism!
        2. Seeing people grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ!
        -- Many will never experience such joy because they do not teach!

      [Finally, some thoughts on developing...]

  3. THE DISCIPLINE OF TEACHING
    1. FIRST, BECOME A STUDENT...
      1. Notice the example of Ezra, the young priest - Ezr 7:6,10
        1. He was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses
        2. He began by preparing his heart to seek God's Word
      2. Remain a student
        1. A good teacher never stops learning
        2. Just as Paul never stopped striving for perfection - Php 3:13-15
        -- Are we truly students of the Word?
    2. SECOND, BECOME A DOER...
      1. Again, notice the example of Ezra - Ezr 7:10
        1. He prepared his heart not only to seek God's Word
        2. But also to do God's Word!
      2. Practice what we teach
        1. Otherwise we are simply hypocrites like the Pharisees - Mt 23:2-3
        2. Our example will reinforce the validity of what we teach
        -- Are we putting into practice God's Word?
    3. THIRD, BECOME A TEACHER...
      1. The example of Ezra - Ezr 7:10,11,25; Neh 8:1-9
        1. Having first become a student and a doer of the Word
        2. He became an "expert" and was given the opportunity to teach
      2. When first starting to teach...
        1. Find a mentor, someone whose example you can follow
        2. Be willing to assist, like Timothy did for Paul
        -- Whether formally, or informally, are we becoming teachers of God's Word?
CONCLUSION
  1. Spiritual growth begins by learning, it continues by teaching...
    1. The babe in Christ starts on milk - cf. He 5:13
    2. But as one grows in Christ, they are able to handle solid food - cf. He 5:14
  2. As we grow in spiritual maturity...
    1. Do we just keep the blessings of grace and knowledge to ourselves?
    2. Would that not be selfish, a step backward toward spiritual immaturity?
  3. When we grow by exercising ourselves through such disciplines as...
    1. Prayer, meditation, and fasting
    2. Singing, fellowship, and giving

...then let's be sure to take it to the next level: the discipline of teaching! As disciples of Christ, seeking to become more and more like Him, can we do any less...?