How and why might you disciple another teacher?
Feb 19, 2021
- Why?: How and why might you disciple another teacher?
- What?: Did you know that part of your role as teacher
is preparing other teachers? There are at least 3 excuses some give
for failing at this. Let me be very frank and dismiss each of
those.
First, you might feel that you have nothing to pass on. You may not be formally prepared to teach. You may not consider yourself a very good teacher. It doesn't matter. If you are called by God and recognized by the church as a teacher and you have experience, you have something to pass on. It might be in the form of what not to do, but you have wisdom that you didn't have before becoming a teacher. Pass it on by discipling others to be teachers.
Second, you might think that it's just easier to do it yourself. It's a lot less work to do the job than it is to train someone else to do it. Let me remind you that it is not about you. It's about the church, the bride of the Christ. Honor the bridegroom by making sure the bride has every teacher the bridegroom has given her.
Finally, you might think that YOU will continue to teach your class so there's no need to train another. Well, in case no one has told you, everyone quits teaching … someday. It may be just a few days before they put your body in ground, but you will stop teaching at some point. Prepare someone to replace you while you are still functioning well. Prepare others anticipating numerical growth in the church. God is still calling new believers; likewise, He is still calling new teachers. - So What?: If you're a teacher, leave a legacy of
wisdom. Live it in your own life. Teach it to others. And, train
other teachers to do the same.
How can you do that? It starts by modeling good teaching in the classroom. Consider every lesson an opportunity to show what effective Bible teaching looks like. Then be intentional in watching those you're teaching for clues that God may be calling them to be teachers. If the clues are there, work with them to give them opportunities to teach. Don't just assign them a lesson to teach; instead, help them prepare, be there to encourage, and then follow up with feedback that can help them improve. If their teaching seems to bear fruit, recommend them to the church so that the church body can explore and confirm their gifting by calling them as teachers. - So What Now?: Rather than being satisfied just teaching those God has entrusted to you, will you seek out the longterm health of the church by discipling other teachers?