Kingdom Educators
Psalm 127
Verse 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Yesterday we talked about being builders of God’s kingdom using the blueprint that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19-20a, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We have discussed the making of disciples and baptizing so let’s finish up with the final layer of the blueprint.
While it is important to make disciples unless we are teaching them, they won’t grow. And neither will we. There is a well-known saying that expresses how the teacher is often the biggest learner. We can’t help but learn more when we study so that we can help others know the truth. To enjoy gaining more knowledge ourselves can’t be the only reason we study. We need to desire to teach others what we have learned. When the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to a truth we have missed in the past, we need to share it.
To learn something we need to study. This is one of the most neglected disciplines of the Christian life. We tend to be too complacent and are willing to learn only what someone else has already dug up to teach us. We are willing to feed on what someone else has already done the work on but are unwilling to do the work ourselves.
Recent polls have told the story of how few people who claim to be Christian, actually read their Bible on a regular basis. This should be something that stops each of us in our tracks. How can this be true? One of the main reasons is that Christians have been swept up into the pace of society. We fill our calendars with so many things that we think are significant that we run out of time for Bible study. What we don’t take time to think about, is what this lack of Bible reading says about our priorities.
These three portions of the blueprint to His kingdom are all needed. It isn’t that we are the one building the kingdom on our own power. Nor are we building it by our knowledge, but if we are His laborers as this verse says, we will be eager to teach others of His glory.
Making It Personal
Who has taught you about the Lord’s teachings? Who have you taught about His teachings? What has God shown you that needs to be passed on?
Making It Personal Kids
Who have you learned about Jesus’ teachings from? Have you ever shared with others what you have learned about Jesus? What is something that you have learned that you need to share?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for wanting to teach us so that we can teach others. Give us an ever-growing desire to know You. Make Your Word something that we long to immerse ourselves in. In Jesus’ name, amen.