WE WILL ALWAYS FIND dynamic tension in scripture. Consider the authoritative command that “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” (Gal. 6:6) with the gentler tone of, “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” (1 Thess. 2:6b, 9)
These two texts deal with the same range of issues; the second approaches the conversation much more softly than the first. The first has a strong sense of rebuke, and implies that some disciplinary issues are being addressed. The second has a warm, encouraging tone, and suggests a fondness inherent in warm and friendly relationships. *“Tart Words make no Friends: A Spoonful of Honey will catch more flies than Gallon of Vinegar.” Scripture states more succinctly that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Pro. 15:1) All of us have been students at some point in life, and we have all had instructors that seemed either harsh or encouraging to us. If we were honest with ourselves, we might recall to mind examples of those instances, and question whether some aspect of our own behavior, some either positive or negative response or action on our part, might have been their impetus for what we perceived at the time to be the attitude of the teacher towards us.
Paul tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Jesus teaches that when the Holy Spirit comes, “he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” and also that, “ he will guide you into all truth. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:8-14) The author of Hebrews reminds us that, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:11) From a wisdom book of the bible we are told, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Prov. 1:7), and “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” (Prov. 12:1)
There is a necessary give and take between teachers and students, and a good teacher will recognize, by the nature of that interaction, how to shape the response to each student so that the student benefits from the response. This most often, for the teacher, relies not only on his or her mastery of content, but on whether or not he or she has the skill sets and the gifts sets to instruct well. “It was he who gave some to be pastors and teachers.” (Eph. 4:11) “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If it is teaching, let us teach.” (Rom. 12:6-7) That is why scripture says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (Jam. 3:1)
A good teacher can make a significant difference in a student’s life, opening the mind of the student to new worlds and new possibilities for the student in those new worlds. A good teacher of the scriptures, however, can also open up heaven for the one seeking God. The teacher cannot save the student—this remains the task of Jesus—but the teacher can, and should, introduce the student to Jesus’ discipleship. This is a high calling, and has very significant responsibilities. That is why Jesus warns against false teachers: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:1-2)
The student also has responsibilities in the student-teacher relationship. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) And students of the bible are called to be far more than those who seek knowledge; they are called to be Christ-followers, which is a call to become like him in his suffering, mission, and death—and his resurrection to new life. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
In this shared journey of Christ-likeness between teacher and student, the instruction will have worked best when both the student and the teacher are left with a positive impression of their relationship. The teacher might best say of the student: “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13) And the student might best respond, “You have been no burden to us; you have shared the gospel of God with us; you have dealt with us as a father deals with his own children.” (1 Thess. 2:9-12)
Q. As a learner, am I capable of being taught? As a teacher, am I teachable? (cf. Prov. 9:9)
*Benjamin Franklin, “Poor Richard’s Almanac” – 1744.
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