(James 010) The Weight of Responsibility: Understanding the Role of a Teacher
Notes
Transcript
Handout
1. The conflict.
1. The conflict.
(1)A. Scripture says everyone should be teachers.
(1)A. Scripture says everyone should be teachers.
When we hear the words “teaching” or “instruction” in church we often think about the pastor.
You aren’t wrong.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
However, scripture teaches that every believer should be a teacher.
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
Here we see every believer is to be taught then teach.
Filled with knowledge (someone who has been taught by a teacher) and now able to teach others.
Resulting in the ability to teach others.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Teaching (instruction, training) and encouragement (building up).
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Exhort… to call near… a closeness in the teaching. (Life on life)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
Here we see the church being rebuked for not be able to teach.
With a clear expectation that they should be teaching.
They author says that if they had grown into maturity they would have been passing it down to others and able to receive the deeper things the author wanted to talk about.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Instruction - to be a teacher.
We understand this to be a command to us.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(1)A. Scripture says everyone should be teachers.
(1)A. Scripture says everyone should be teachers.
Fathers/parents are to be teachers.
Does it seem clear that God expects every Christian to teach someone?
(1)B. Scripture says not many should be teachers.
(1)B. Scripture says not many should be teachers.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Our text for today.
2. The question.
2. The question.
Should everyone be teachers or not many be teachers?
Should everyone be teachers or not many be teachers?
We see clear biblical instruction that every Christian is expected to be a teacher.
If you are not teaching someone, look for someone to teach.
Or… find someone that can teach you so you can teach others.
Yet James clearly says not many should become teachers.
This seems to be a contradiction.
Which is it?
Are we all to be teachers or not many should be teachers?
Do you believe the Bible says everyone is expected to teach someone?
Do you believe the Bible says not many should be teachers?
To answer this question we need to know what James was saying.
We need to understand the authors original intent.
3. The context.
3. The context.
Jewish Christians were aspiring to public teaching.
NOT for the sake of building up.
BUT for the purpose of gaining some of the admiration they saw being given to Rabbis.
The context is public teaching.
The Jews greatly revered public teachers.
They were often seen in a class of their own rather than just another gift given by the Spirit.
James is telling them not to be in a big hurry to teach publically.
We all stumble especially with our tongues.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3. The context.
3. The context.
We all mess up a lot, especially in what we say.
Every one of us has said something we wish we could take back.
So don’t be in a hurry to use your tongue publically.
Not only was James speaking to those aspiring to become public teachers, but he was also addressing spiritual maturity.
4. The warning.
4. The warning.
The warning is NOT don’t become a teacher.
All should be teaching someone.
Some should teach more.
Depending on your gift.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
4. The warning.
4. The warning.
Teaching is no different than any other gift.
Use it to the degree in which God gave it to you by His grace.
For some that means public teaching.
If that is your gift, you must be using it.
We need to be careful because our tongue is so powerful.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
4. The warning.
4. The warning.
Teachers have great influence in the lives of others.
One of my greatest joys is seeing you do what I teach.
I better make sure I am teaching the Bible, not my own ideas.
The warning is to be careful because those who teach will be judged more strictly.
Those who teach will give a stricter account for what we have said and done.
Some say teachers are called to a higher standard.
I don’t believe that is true… we are all expected to have the marks of maturity listed for teachers.
However, we will give an account for what we taught.
I’m careful what I teach on YouTube.
This is important for those teaching in an informal manner as well as those teaching publicly.
Count the cost.
Don’t take it lightly.
Let’s look back at the next verse.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
4. The warning.
4. The warning.
Our words reveal our maturity.
James is not using the word “perfect” as without sin, but with the idea of maturity.
The real warning is to grow into it!
Should everyone be teaching?
It is ok to put yourself in a position to be taught so you can grow into maturity so you can teach someone.
5. The responsibility.
5. The responsibility.
(5)A. The responsibility of the individual.
(5)A. The responsibility of the individual.
Grow! Become spiritually mature.
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.
(5)A. The responsibility of the individual.
(5)A. The responsibility of the individual.
This verse isn’t just talking about studying for a lesson, but continued growth and maturity.
We need to handle God’s Word well so we can teach God’s Word well.
Use your gift where you can.
Even if it is with just one person.
(5)B. The responsibility of the church.
(5)B. The responsibility of the church.
Don’t throw people into teaching too quickly.
First we need to see dynamic faith like we talked about in chapter 2.
We need to see evidence of maturity.
We need to equip them to teach.
Training.
We are working on this.
Teaching them to study better.
Teaching them to be able to prepare.
Teaching them to be able to deliver.
Giving them the time to practice.
Application:
God’s clear plan is that we all teach someone.
Do not become a teacher without the proper motivation.
Do not become a teacher without the proper preparation.