Teachers and learning

Teachers and Learning

Study the Word

2 Tim 2. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.    

Of course we should read the Word and meditate and be receptive to God enlightening and convicting us. Nothing can replace this direct interaction with Him. And God can use anything to teach us in our lives, however primarily throughout history and today He uses teachers as a source to take us to deeper places in our walk. In a basic sense a teacher is someone who knows more than you and is prepared to share. In this sense we are all called to be teachers (Heb 5.12) I believe we also have what we might call the office of a teacher. Perhaps these might be better understood as those primarily called and gifted to teach…  Those whose profession is to teach.

Eph 4.11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,…

Romans 12. …6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7 if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

2 Tim 2. 1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

1 Tim 5. 17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Remember it takes much time to learn in order to be able to divide the Word of God correctly and teach faithfully. It takes much dedication and obedience and love and work and the leading of the Holy Spirit over time. We often forget that teaching is not obtained quickly or passed on quickly. I think this is part of the lesson in the parable of the 10 virgins. At some stage 5 knew there was not time enough to give what took them time to obtain.

Now the raising and equipping of a teacher is God’s work. And we do well to know there are many and varied teachers who teach to different degrees. We will relate to them differently depending where we are at in our walk. They can be raised for different times and seasons. We will seek them depending on many factors such as our circumstances and the hunger and thirst in our hearts. Motivations to learn can be right or wrong, mature or immature. It is a very good question to ask yourself ……. Why am I following Jesus? John 1.38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?

How would you answer that should Jesus ask you ……. What seek ye?

 Of course earthly teachers can be true and false. Many learn under false teaching before being set free by the true.  No teacher has everything right and I doubt many could have everything wrong. With so many factors, the question “who are the best teachers in the world today” is in fact a very subjective question.

When it comes to a teacher suitable for you simply ask God to lead you. Do not expect perfection, a big lesson for me was to learn no one is perfect and most have different strengths and weaknesses. Even the Apostles had things that required correction. (Gal 2.11)

However generally speaking we might be able to define some parameters that are worthwhile when considering teachers. Should someone ask us for advice on a good teacher we should be able to offer comment and reason. For starters they should breathe His word and be devoted with trembling respect. Any teaching should be confirmed by the Word itself. As our ability to discern grows (Heb 5.14) it should also confirm for us.  Someone who has walked with God for a few years should be able to “smell” demonstrably false teaching. God can grow us as He sees fit however it is in being taught correctly that we can mostly discern right and wrong. God will also confirm to the one who wants to do His will… John 7.17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

All good things come from above. God is Sovereign. He formed us of His own will and bought us into the world and we had no say in it. This life we have is by grace alone. When it comes to receiving teaching from God we are given some basic understanding of how God generally works. God directs believers but it is in accordance with your heart. In a way it could be considered a partnership though infinitely unequal. Our part is to desire and ask and seek and knock. Gods will is to give grace and guide and reward that which pleases Him.  Our progress very much depends on the extent to which we will work with the Lord and desire His will for us. Desire does not mean to simply want. The truth of desire can be seen in what we do, such as our dedication and discipline to ask, seek and knock. What we do is important. What we do counts. God had very stern words against laziness. I would like to point out that I say this as a person who still struggles with laziness. Please pray for me.

Ps 32. 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.…

Note that in the above verse God tells us He will guide but He also instructs us to be willing participants. If we are obstructive you might be forced to learn a hard and long way, and perhaps miss out on blessings and closeness.

We see elsewhere that the guidance of God is clearly conditional, for example Prov 3.5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.…

The Scripture tells us clearly we have responsibility for what we seek. And that this will determine many outcomes in our lives.

Ps 37.4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

We do not deserve to be shown anything of God. We only learn from God by the grace of God. God does not give this grace to the proud. James 4.6 … God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 

Ask God to reveal any pride quickly so that you might be free form as many obstacles to learning as possible. One great prideful hindrances is when you think you know something in fullness… You simply don’t.

1 Cor 8.2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

God has a way for us to learn. He has a pattern. 

2 Tim 1. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.…

He tells us over and over it is by hearing His Word confirmed by His Holy Spirit. Man always wants to learn his own way. This to is pride and rebellion… One of the most foolish statements I have heard is this one … I don’t want to learn from man just the Spirit! I hear this over and over again. Some think this is spiritual but what in effect you are saying is this … I do not want to learn what might be Gods way, I want to learn my way.

Prov 14. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

God’s way is not for us to learn bits and pieces. Favorite topics and Scripture out of context. His way is for us to learn in order. From beginning to end. He is the Alpha and Omega.  Learn from Genesis to Revelation. His whole counsel. Book by book. Then we will also begin automatically to understand the individual principles and subjects. And find the Spirit will begin to reveal many things, piecing them together for us.

Lesson - GOD HAS ALWAYS USED MAN TO TEACH HIS WORD.

Rom 10.14 … And how can they hear without someone to preach?

Statements such as “I don’t listen to man” are totally misguided of Gods methods and based in pride.

Beware of any hint of boredom at Gods Word and excitement in other sources. This often exposes itself in an itch towards the sensational.  I have noticed this is extensive among those who desire to know the future by way of Gods prophesy. I have experienced this myself. Before we even begin to investigate the whole council of God on the subject of prophecy we are cherry picking scripture and asking for simple answers. The fact is God is one and likewise His Word. We devalue the depth and completeness of God when we ignore so much of His council, such as the volume of knowledge, wisdom and understanding given in the Old Testament which is the foundation to prophecy. Instead of being dedicated to sit with God, spend the time and learn, we look for quick ear tickling fast food. Shame on us.

What a foolish quest to think we can find answers to something we hardly understand. Such as prophecy. Beware of such temptations! After spending decades learning about prophecy I still know very little. But I know enough to understand that many who think they know something about it, miss the fundamentals and know much less than what they think.  One of the fundamental keys to understanding Gods program is to understand His program for Israel. Without this piece in place they grasp at the air. Often adding error to error. Few and far have I observed men who truly hear the Lord in these matters. I have observed a lightness in the way prophecy is considered by many. A shallowness. I think it is due largely to a lack of fear.… Ps 24.14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.…   Yet so many are happy to take questions on prophecy and regurgitate what they have heard others say with little understanding... Prov 18.12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.

Learning is a progression. TRUTH LEADS TO MORE TRUTH.

There is a progression to learning truth. We learn in stages. From shallow to deep. From foundation to structure. From simple to more complex. This is the Lords way.

Heb 6. 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

We are to learn and do and keep doctrine. What we build will depend on what we are taught and believe. The worth of our lives work will depend on it…

1 Cor 3. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.

Heb 5. 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! 13 For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.…               14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

If we do not learn the basics from Him we do not progress.  We are less likely to receive greater knowledge wisdom and understanding. We are meant to mature and be able to teach others at least basic things such as righteousness. The more we are taught and obedient, the more useful we can be.

Error leads to more error.

2 Tim 3. 13 while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

I think the biggest warning given to believers is that of false doctrine/deception.  Jesus warned us of such. Apparently Paul was in prison and knew he was likely about to die when he wrote 2 Timothy. So as his last words he also chose to focus on warning regarding the mass of false doctrine he knew was to come. 

2 Tim 2. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Beware of anyone who devalues doctrine. They will cry out things like … “doctrine divides us” While this might sound “wise” or a “call to unity” it completely goes against Gods Word. … Rom 16. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

They are not “spiritual” they are deceived deceivers according to Gods word. They say doctrine divides but in fact they want you to believe their doctrine! Teaching is doctrine. Calling it by another name does not change what it is.

Doctrine is the compilation of various teaching in context to give a fuller understanding of a subject. It follows Gods pattern and process of revealing that He would have us know. Any part will most often have two or three witnesses in scripture, be confirmed by the Holy Spirit and ideally by the Body of Christ also. However as we know the Body of Christ is grossly divided. It is Gods desire for us to be blessed and to know Him and His truth and what He is doing. We are invited to take part in His work.

John 15. …14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

I think this this passage in Isaiah describes the seven fold Spirit of God. (Rev 1.4)

Isa 11. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. 3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD.

As a reflection the above verse and consider how much the Holy Spirit is associated with teaching.

Somethings are hard to grasp 

Much of the teaching Scripture presupposes we already know some basics of Scripture. But in fact we can be ignorant of them. Particularly of the Old Testament and the Jewish culture and historical context. When I read the Scriptures there is so much I don’t understand. God knows this so why pretend anything else? Be humble, admit it and ask for help. It may very well come in the form of a teacher. When the Holy Spirit brings our attention to something we do not know, ask and be prepared to wait for instruction. Beware of jumping to nonsense of the flesh. Or trying to twist scriptures to suit your ideas. Do not distort Scriptures in order to feel like you have understanding. Let Holy Spirit prompted questions be answered and confirmed by the Spirit Himself. Be patient.

2 Peter 3.16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

All scripture is profitable including the Old Testament.

Matt 13.52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Who is the Scribe? A scribe is basically a scholar. If you check your heart what is your evaluation of Scholars? Of course there are good and bad. But God has a place for Scholars in teaching make no mistake. Beware of those who warn you of Scholarship especially when their intention is to give you their own “spiritual” interpretation! This is the mark of a false teacher. They do not follow Gods pattern of truth. Though we should be discerning and weary of scribes who do not seem to know God, we should seek out those who can give to us treasure from the New and Old Testament.

It is a Jewish book 

Unless we dig deep into the culture of the Jewish context there are many things even in the New Testament that will most likely escape our understanding our entire lives. Such as these just to name a few.

The unforgivable sin

Why Jesus spat on the mud to heal the man born blind.

Why Jesus spoke in parables all of a sudden and told people to keep His miracles secret.

How wine came to be in the Passover feast

End times prophecy passages in the light of Gods plan for Israel.

As we grow in depth of the Scriptures we will greatly blessed to find teachers who are knowledgeable of the Jewish culture and context of the historical times in which God first gave His word. Of course there are also plenty of legalistic religious Jewish movements which must be avoided.

Finally I would offer a key to teaching/doctrine-

 Doctrine is to be learned to be lived.

Matt 7.24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (We should all know the rest of this parable and the implications)

The Lord promises if we keep the truth more will be given.

Matt 13.12 For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him. – Amplified Bible

A spiritual teaching from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy –

Note - Unfortunately much of the modern Church does not have a good understanding of what Scripture teaches about Salvation. Yet it is such an important and fundamental doctrine. In Deuteronomy I believe the verses about taking the land can be applied to us about overcoming sin in this life and walking in growing sanctification as we battle. They are not primarily about eternal Salvation/Justification which is past, but they are about Sanctification which is Salvation present/ Salvation working out. (Our overcoming walk and witness) They give instruction how to walk closer to God and be able to be blessed in this life. To receive more from the Holy Spirit and be used. We can see that these principles of learning and doing God’s word are the same in both Old and New Testaments.

Deuteronomy 4.1 “And now, O Israel, LISTEN to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and DO them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

6 KEEP them and DO them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding …

5. 1 And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “HEAR, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall LEARN them and be careful to DO them.

6. 3 HEAR therefore, O Israel, and be careful to DO them, that it may go well with you,

John 14. 21 Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Much Love

Brother Matt

May you be blessed and used for His Glory.

May His face shine upon you.