Encouragement to teachers

Introduction:

There is no greater endeavor, than to teach God’s Word.

In college, I remember the passion expressed on the face of my professors as they taught the word of God to me and to my fellow students.

The majority of us were not Bible majors, but I speak the truth in saying: peoples lives were changed.

Teaching is of great importance

There’s a reason Jesus said the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, because VERY few people TRULY labor! TRULY love! TRULY sacrifice for the benefit of SOMEONE ELSE.

But it is SO encouraging to know, that there are people who behold that same fire in their hearts to teach Christ.

To Teach:

Often connected in the OT to the law / Torah… with the idea of teaching being at the very CORE of our faith to God

And refers to the ACTION… of making know the will of God

We don’t teach based on our own prowess… abilities … knowledge

But rather we teach that which does not CHANGE! The infallible doctrine… the revelation of the Word.

It is our standard and our plumbline.

And as we teach, those who hear come in conformity to the way of life God desires for His people.

Illustration

Commendation

Application

End with a personal remark

Illustration:

Person

Limbs

Tool

Stone

Why do we teach? … To change peoples lives for the glory of God

Commendation:

Teaching is not always easy

Time / Effort / Work

You prepare during the week

You say no to certain things because of that responsibility

Your Saturday evenings become the most taxing part of your week

You get to worship and either kids or adults are waiting for YOU to lead them in study

Then you pour out your heart during the lesson, often wondering if it really made a difference in their lives

But let me pause… and say that teachers are more important than we could ever know.

Based upon Gospelrelevence.com…

Almost half of all Christians were converted before age 13

By the time a a child is 9, their basic moral foundation has been formed

From ages 4-14, kids are more open to the gospel than any other time in their life

80% of church leaders participated in Sunday school when they were children

Teaching is taxing but the reward is GREAT!!!

Teaching derives from being taught

How can one ever be inclined to teach if he / she isn’t fist taught HOW to?

Sit in on a class

Learn from your elders

Study for yourself

Teaching is the greatest gift we can give

To a people who know not God

To a people who are struggling with doubt

To a people who might never otherwise come to Christ

What a gift teaching can be.

Someone… taught you the gospel

Application:

We need more teachers

We need more parents

who will teach them?

youth minister, Sunday school teacher?

spend hours in public school… but color in a picture of Noah and the ark when they come to church

2 Timothy 4:3–4 “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

We need more people that love our God

“Just how great is your God to you?” — Dan Winkler

A Personal Remark:

In my 3 years of preaching, I’ve come to understand a LOT of things… about the Church, about Christ, and about His Word.

But I’ve also come to understand something about myself too

I don’t want to be known as a theologian… although I greatly aspire to be one.

I don’t want to be known as a scholar… although I greatly aspire to be one.

I don’t even want to be known as a good man or an eloquent speaker

I want to be known, as someone who gave His life… to teach the will of God to mankind.

And I pray you’d consider that endeavor, to labor in the field until a full harvest may be presented before God

Encourage:

Those not good at speaking… i never was

Those who aren't teaching… i never was

Those stuck in teaching… i guess im stuck for right now

But step up and assists your brothers and sisters. hen a family member needs help we would drop everything in an instant wouldnt we?

We need more teachers in the Church… wont you seek to fulfill that great commission.