A 2nd look at teaching… (a.k.a. “I was wrong”)
Here are some notes on what I shared today. If any of you would like to explore further what this means and how to do it, let’s talk.
- “Teaching” in the biblical sense of the word (as it is explained and modeled) is not what we’ve made it into: long, doctrinal, monological preaching on a Sunday morning.
Titus 2 is a great example of “teaching what is in accord with sound doctrine.” It involves life-application (knowledge that leads to love), life-on-life, modeling, encouraging, and instruction.
The biblical writers assumed that many were involved in the teaching process; this was a sign of great health. More teachers is > than one “great” teacher.
Paul, as a pioneer missionary and church planter, usually spent several months on average in a city, during which he would evangelize, build up and leave a church. If teaching was the 21st century Western evangelical understanding of it, then those churches would be in some huge trouble. What did Paul know that we don’t? He had a more organic understanding of teaching in the context of making disciples and he expected everyone to be involved in disciple-making ministry.
- Who is to teach according to the bible? All of us.
1.) Every parent is according to Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (esp. vv.2, 7).
2.) Every older woman and man [inferentially] is according to Titus 2:1-8.
3.) Every Christian responsible for the Great Commission (i.e., all of us) is according to Matthew 28:18-20.
4.) Every person gifted to the church as a “teacher” according to Ephesians 4:11-16.
- Who do we teach?
1.) if a parent, our children and their biological and spiritual children (Deut. 6:1-9).
2.) if and older woman or man, “younger” men and women than us (Titus 2:1-8).
3.) if a follower of Jesus, not-yet Christians that God has placed all around us of every nation (Matt. 28:18-20) or Christians who will disciple others to reach the nations (2 Tim. 2:2)
4.) if a person with the gift of teaching, the church and other younger “teachers” in the church (Eph. 4:11-16).
When we put these together, biblical teaching in a broader, disciple-making sense becomes transmission of Jesus’ commands and obedience to them that is:
1.) trans-generational – Deuteronomy 6 and 2 Timothy 2:2 (four generations implicit)
2.) international – Matt. 28:18-20′s “nations” as the minimum unit being influenced
*** If this transmission of the way of Jesus is not carried out, the church is dead in the water.
On top of this, biblical teaching is also multi-layered:
- What do we teach? 3 layers Scripture speaks of:
1.) Layer 1 – content – truth, “doctrine,” values, relationships/causalities, spiritual realities, character and commands of God. Teacher here = “instructor.” Instructors share.
a. deductively – e.g., Paul’s epistles
b. inductively – e.g.., Jesus’ question asking in the gospels (“Why do you call me ‘good?’” “Which man was a neighbor to him?”)
2.) Layer 2 – implementation of content – skills, how-to, processes, patterns that help the disciple ingest and apply content. Most of this is modeled and coached and doesn’t happen in the classroom but in the midst of real life. Teacher here = “coach.” Coaches show/facilitate.
a. life example – little league baseball – how do kids learn which base is 1st, 2nd, 3rd and home? How do you help kids ride bikes? How do you teach them to swim? How do we learn about how to be a man? How to have a budget? How to date? How to parent? How to cook?
b. biblical example – Luke 11′s Lord’s Prayer is Jesus showing his disciples how they ought to pray. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
3.) Layer 3 – encouragement towards implementing content – This is all relationship and little content. But the teacher here = “mentor.” Mentors impart.
a. Verbal – encouragement direct or indirect, perspective-offering, highlighting/focusing on right things.
– example – if your son is being bullied at school, you call out what you see in him as a loving person who listens to God and cares for people; you believe in him, bless him and pray for him out loud.
b. Non-verbal – presence, prayer, friendships
– son-being-bullied example - show surprise and joy when he takes small steps, openly model forgiveness and love to others yourself in front of him every chance you have, walk with him and support him with your presence in this delicate time.
*** A disciple-making teacher will engage another person in all three layers. As we take seriously our God-given design and commands to teach, let’s ask God to help us grow in these three areas.
One last bit that I didn’t say directly but is an extension of what I shared earlier. The health of a church is found more in the strength of its members ability to “teach” (and their commitment to always be doing it!) more than in its figure-head’s (i.e., the senior pastor) ability to teach/preach. All of you who have grown immensely in the last year or two probably have to thank not the Sunday preacher so much as those friends you “do life” with who have modeled godliness and love to you on a regular basis and walked with you in the highs and lows. What I believe bcc needs the most in this season is not more and better professional Sunday morning teaching; we need more and godlier instructors, coaches and mentors in our lives. It is the principle of multiplication at the core; the more contagion flying around, the greater the chance of an epidemic. YOU all hold the key to the disciple-making strength of the church — not the “professionals.”
So go for it! Take your growth and transformation seriously, and seize your God-given destiny as one who will impact nations and generations.
