As a teacher of God’s word, I realized how daily I have to remind myself of the faithfulness that God requires from us teachers in handling His word. When the Bible says we should be obedient to Christ, what do you think leads to that? In this article I am going to address the importance of faithful teaching of God’s word in order to cultivate obedience in the lives of the disciples.

Teaching as a divine calling

The Bible teaches that teaching in the ministry of the gospel is a gift from Jesus Christ to His body, the Church.  

a) The source of the calling

The Bible teaches that teaching in the ministry of the gospel is a gift from Jesus Christ to His body, the Church.  

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-13)

We learn also that God the Holy Spirit who indwells us gives gifts to the church as He determines (1 Cor 12:11).  This teaches us that there some who are called to be teachers in the body of Christ. Not all are teachers. Now, what is it that God requires to those who have the gift of teaching to teach the body of Christ? Let us look at the next reason under this topic of teaching as a divine calling.

b) The message taught is from God and is God’s message

He (God) who calls people to teach also determines what need to be taught in order that the church may indeed be built up in accordance to God’s will. For this reason teaching is exclusive in its message. The truth that God requires to be taught to the body of Christ finds it source in God and this truth we have it today in what we call the Bible. It is an objective and absolute truth. “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, NIV).”

This excludes any philosophy of this world that people may accept as good but do nothing in regard to the transformation of the individual. “The scripture alone” foundation shows how God’s word is fully sufficient to carry out the will of God in the body of Christ. A teacher who is called by God will do well to be humble before God by speaking the truth of God alone to the people of God.

Because of the nature of teaching, a teacher needs know and understand what he is teaching so that it can be rightly applied by the leaner. A teacher teaches both through his life and his doctrine. He also has to know that he is a disciple of Jesus Christ. Since his journey with the Lord is still on, it is important for him to watch his life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if he does, he will save both himself and his hearers (1 Tim 4:16, NIV). If you as a teacher do not hold on to the truth of scripture or move away from “scripture alone” foundation you will fall into the ways of Satan for you will teach yourself to the people not Christ, you will teach lies and you will lead many astray from the living God. Never expect transformation in the lives of people who are full of your own idea not God’s truth.

Faithful teaching result in growth leading to obedience

The growth of every disciple lies in the obedience of one to Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. A teacher is to know the truth by heart and teach it faithfully in order to cultivate obedience Christ desires in the lives of the disciples. A teacher needs to know that Obedience in the midst of misrepresented truth of God is impossible to imagine.

Discipleship is a life of obedience and only those who know and understand true doctrine of scripture and are willing to follow it wholeheartedly will enjoy the fruit of abiding in Christ and bear much fruit for the glory of God the Father.

We want to make sure as teachers of the word of God that we really teach the word of God. Apostle Peter put it this way, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11 [emphasis added]).

Obedience that God desires in discipleship cannot be cultivated from the imaginations of man therefore we should not put confidence in the philosophy of man but in the LIVING WORD OF GOD AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT if we are serve God faithfully.

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