Together # 39
A Together of Spiritual Growth
A Together of Spiritual Growth
Teach One Another
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Pool your understanding of Scripture and check out one another’s comprehension of the Bible. Teach one another for the sake of spiritual growth.
Prov 9:9-10; Col 1:28; Col 3:16
God’s truth is too large for any one person to grasp. Two things make it necessary for us to teach one another. First, God is infinite – there is just too much to learn. Second, God’s ways are higher than our ways, as Isaiah 55:9 puts it. God’s “IQ” is infinite; each of ours is limited. Therefore, Christians must actively and assertively share their understanding of God and more fully teach one another the Scriptures. Christians must pool their knowledge of the Bible as well as check out one another’s comprehension of the Scriptures.
. . . we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 2:16
1 Cor 2:16
Many views of a biblical teaching fill out the truth, because only together do we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16 is plural). It is a mistake to think we can lead our lives without the scriptural input of those Christians closest to us, those most invested in the success of our lives. Various perspectives will bring out the maximum understanding of what God has said in His Word. God sees truth from every possible angle and takes every possibility into consideration when He speaks to us. We should listen to each other to learn more about God's various perspectives. Independent thinking can only take us so far. We need one another to see as much as we possibly can in God's Word.
To a limited extent, Christians can teach one another in most of the larger gatherings of the church. We can teach through official roles such as Sunday School teacher. And, certainly small group Bible studies have a place in fulfilling this command. But, while valuable for the long run, Sunday school classes and small group Bible studies are not fluid with what is happening “right now”.
This is where our closest Christian relationships can step up and most valuably fulfill this command to teach one another. Christian friends, Christians in families, and married Christians not only have contact with one another more often, they know what is going on in each other’s lives. They have the opportunity to consider what from the Bible needs to be taught for the current challenges of life.
This Together of teaching one another requires special dedication to God. He wants our conversations to not be only superficial and polite. He wants us to pay attention to two things: (1) what is happening in our friend’s life, our parent or child’s life, or our spouse’s life, and (2) what from the Bible and our experience walking with the Lord might be helpful in light of those circumstances and challenges.
Even though at first it might seem awkward, Christians in close relationship need to use conversation and dialogue instead of preaching or lecturing, which are usually rude in close relationships. And they are typically ineffective. Preaching and lecturing are necessary when there are many people and also when time is limited. And, yes, whether we want to admit it or not, preaching has its limitations. Important as it is, it does not accomplish what teaching one another in close, small relationships can. Christian Inner Circle relationships are the most powerful venue for teaching because we spend more time with those we are close to, let them know what specifically is going on in our lives, and are more invested in one another’s success and walk with God.
Sharing with one another what we are learning from the Bible is the easiest way to start relationships off in teaching scriptural principles. The next step is for Christians in their closest relationships to begin asking questions for clarification about what is being shared. This communicates openness to what God might be teaching the friend, family member or spouse. It will require acceptance of different views as well as trust in the Holy Spirit to do any correction needed. Disagreement needs to be expressed without attack or defensiveness. Friends, family members, and married couples can ask the Lord in prayer to clarify and answer any confusion.
The goal is to get to the point in our Christian relationships where we can insert teaching God’s ways into conversations about what is happening in life as it is occurring. If agreement to seek this level of helping one another live successfully for God is established, then many mistakes from a spiritual perspective can be avoided.
How often has a Christian spent significant money or committed to some activity when Christian friends and family knew the need was not there and the motive not quite in harmony with God’s kingdom? How many other decisions are made without the help of those in close Christianity with us? How many chances to store treasure in heaven have been lost because there was not adequate teaching of Scripture in Christian friendships, families and marriages?
To a limited extent, Christians can teach one another in most of the larger gatherings of the church. We can teach through official roles such as Sunday School teacher. And, certainly small group Bible studies have a place in fulfilling this command. But, while valuable for the long run, Sunday school classes and small group Bible studies are not fluid with what is happening “right now”.
This is where our closest Christian relationships can step up and most valuably fulfill this command to teach one another. Christian friends, Christians in families, and married Christians not only have contact with one another more often, they know what is going on in each other’s lives. They have the opportunity to consider what from the Bible needs to be taught for the current challenges of life.
This Together of teaching one another requires special dedication to God. He wants our conversations to not be only superficial and polite. He wants us to pay attention to two things: (1) what is happening in our friend’s life, our parent or child’s life, or our spouse’s life, and (2) what from the Bible and our experience walking with the Lord might be helpful in light of those circumstances and challenges.
Even though at first it might seem awkward, Christians in close relationship need to use conversation and dialogue instead of preaching or lecturing, which are usually rude in close relationships. And they are typically ineffective. Preaching and lecturing are necessary when there are many people and also when time is limited. And, yes, whether we want to admit it or not, preaching has its limitations. Important as it is, it does not accomplish what teaching one another in close, small relationships can. Christian Inner Circle relationships are the most powerful venue for teaching because we spend more time with those we are close to, let them know what specifically is going on in our lives, and are more invested in one another’s success and walk with God.
Sharing with one another what we are learning from the Bible is the easiest way to start relationships off in teaching scriptural principles. The next step is for Christians in their closest relationships to begin asking questions for clarification about what is being shared. This communicates openness to what God might be teaching the friend, family member or spouse. It will require acceptance of different views as well as trust in the Holy Spirit to do any correction needed. Disagreement needs to be expressed without attack or defensiveness. Friends, family members, and married couples can ask the Lord in prayer to clarify and answer any confusion.
The goal is to get to the point in our Christian relationships where we can insert teaching God’s ways into conversations about what is happening in life as it is occurring. If agreement to seek this level of helping one another live successfully for God is established, then many mistakes from a spiritual perspective can be avoided.
How often has a Christian spent significant money or committed to some activity when Christian friends and family knew the need was not there and the motive not quite in harmony with God’s kingdom? How many other decisions are made without the help of those in close Christianity with us? How many chances to store treasure in heaven have been lost because there was not adequate teaching of Scripture in Christian friendships, families and marriages?
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21
Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
a treasure in heaven that will never fail,
where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Luke 12:33
where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21
Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
a treasure in heaven that will never fail,
where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Luke 12:33
If we can escape the grip of an individualistic Christianity and realize that others can help us in hundreds of ways, teaching us to better live for God, life will blossom for us. If we can escape the grip of an individualistic Christianity and realize that we must help those Christians we are close to and really care about, life will blossom for them. Surely, we want more of God’s treasure for ourselves – and for those with whom we are close.
Let’s incorporate teaching one another naturally into our closer Christian relationships. What are each of your Christian friends, family members, and if you have one, spouse facing? What in the Bible do you want to make sure they remember?
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Let’s incorporate teaching one another naturally into our closer Christian relationships. What are each of your Christian friends, family members, and if you have one, spouse facing? What in the Bible do you want to make sure they remember?
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Emily has just moved into her third new home in seven years. Terri, Emily’s best friend of many years, has come to realize that Emily enjoys having ever more luxurious houses built and does not take enough time to help her kids with their school work or to show them much attention otherwise. Terri has noticed that Emily’s 14-year-old daughter is spending more and more time at other kids’ homes and might be getting into things she shouldn’t.
So, Terri realized that she needed to help Emily reset her Christian values and priorities. She understood that Emily needed to be taught that God wants her to place the good of others in her family higher than her own enjoyments and projects. Over the next few months Terri intentionally mentioned principles from the Bible that she and Emily needed to think about and adopt. Even though Terri was more compliant to these scriptural priorities, she dealt with each topic with the understanding that she herself could also improve. Terri was pleasantly surprised when Emily sighed and remarked, “I think that this is the house we will stay in for a long time. I need to be more available to my kids.” Terri had no need to receive recognition for helping take Emily to this realization. She taught Emily for Jesus and knew He noticed. She was completely satisfied. |
Jesus was quite a teacher. So, when we teach one another, we become more like Him. As we teach the Bible and its principles and applications, we pass on spiritual truth to God’s people about the kingdom of heaven.
We will learn, as did Jesus, that many people will hear but not be very interested. Still, if we will continue teaching the truth of God, we will develop Christ’s tolerance for those who are curious but not committed. Like Him, we will learn the attitude He expressed so clearly when He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We will not be so concerned with those disinterested in deeper understanding of the things of God as we will be committed to teaching those in our Christian Inner Circle who will be receptive.
As far as we can tell from Scripture, Jesus did not participate in debates. He taught about the kingdom and allowed people to believe or not. He did not rely on any programs or techniques. He just spoke to the people around. Of course, we are not going to have people follow us around in big crowds like Jesus did. But we can be very much like Jesus with those we are close to. We can study the Bible and come up with what God might be saying to our Christian friends as individuals, our friendship groups, our families and our spouses. Then we can just pass that along in natural conversations.
What we cannot afford to do if we are to become more and more like Jesus is resist teaching one another. We cannot settle in our close Christian relationships for just interesting topics or theological discussions. We must pick out, as Jesus did, what truth is next needed to live for God.
We will learn, as did Jesus, that many people will hear but not be very interested. Still, if we will continue teaching the truth of God, we will develop Christ’s tolerance for those who are curious but not committed. Like Him, we will learn the attitude He expressed so clearly when He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We will not be so concerned with those disinterested in deeper understanding of the things of God as we will be committed to teaching those in our Christian Inner Circle who will be receptive.
As far as we can tell from Scripture, Jesus did not participate in debates. He taught about the kingdom and allowed people to believe or not. He did not rely on any programs or techniques. He just spoke to the people around. Of course, we are not going to have people follow us around in big crowds like Jesus did. But we can be very much like Jesus with those we are close to. We can study the Bible and come up with what God might be saying to our Christian friends as individuals, our friendship groups, our families and our spouses. Then we can just pass that along in natural conversations.
What we cannot afford to do if we are to become more and more like Jesus is resist teaching one another. We cannot settle in our close Christian relationships for just interesting topics or theological discussions. We must pick out, as Jesus did, what truth is next needed to live for God.
I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
John 17:6-8
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
John 17:6-8
One more thing. Jesus’ life was consistent with what He taught. If we want to be like Jesus and effective in teaching, we need to teach what we have already implemented in our own lives. (“Do as I say, and not as I do” is inadequate teaching methodology.) Or, we can at least show that we are putting our scriptural teaching into practice, working toward full compliance. Hypocritical teaching will not make us like Jesus. If we learn something, perhaps we want to not teach it until we are having some success in obeying it.
Let’s become more aware that those we are close to will hear us, even if sometimes they don’t listen. Let’s fill our speech with the reality of God, the Father who owns us, the Son who paid for us to be able to know God, and the Holy Spirit who reveals the triune God to us. Let’s show in our concerned teaching that God is a vital part of our lives.
Opportunity to Worship God
Let’s become more aware that those we are close to will hear us, even if sometimes they don’t listen. Let’s fill our speech with the reality of God, the Father who owns us, the Son who paid for us to be able to know God, and the Holy Spirit who reveals the triune God to us. Let’s show in our concerned teaching that God is a vital part of our lives.
Opportunity to Worship God
Chad talks regularly with the Lord in prayer, asking what is the next thing he needs to teach his wife and each of his three children in order to take them to the next improvement in their faith. When he has some idea, Chad spends time in the Bible and commentaries learning more about what needs to be taught. Then during informal times, Chad talks about the truth he has learned. Usually, Chad is learning and teaching about four different aspects of faith, one for each family member.
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God has come to us with knowledge about Himself and his kingdom. The whole Bible spans centuries of God telling his people things and then waiting for a while and then telling them more.
Therefore, it is like God and thus worship when we consistently teach one another truth from the Bible over time, not just haphazardly once in a while. This long, watchful, patient, tailored teaching must be done with those whom we are have a relationship that is more transparent and lasts over years. Watching and seeing what the people in our Christian Inner Circles need to know is critical for their walk with the Lord. And, it is great worship.
This kind of godly teaching requires ownership in another’s spiritual development and success. Just as God has always had his people’s needs in mind, so we who want to offer important worship through teaching one another must commit to the spiritual progress of our close Christian friends, our Christian family members, and, if we have one, our Christian spouse. This is not a casual interest in these people. Thank God that His interest in us is not casual. And this responsibility is not an easy commitment either.
Let’s have the “long view” regarding those Christians close to us. Let’s recognize the truth they need to be taught that will set them free, now and down the road.
Therefore, it is like God and thus worship when we consistently teach one another truth from the Bible over time, not just haphazardly once in a while. This long, watchful, patient, tailored teaching must be done with those whom we are have a relationship that is more transparent and lasts over years. Watching and seeing what the people in our Christian Inner Circles need to know is critical for their walk with the Lord. And, it is great worship.
This kind of godly teaching requires ownership in another’s spiritual development and success. Just as God has always had his people’s needs in mind, so we who want to offer important worship through teaching one another must commit to the spiritual progress of our close Christian friends, our Christian family members, and, if we have one, our Christian spouse. This is not a casual interest in these people. Thank God that His interest in us is not casual. And this responsibility is not an easy commitment either.
Let’s have the “long view” regarding those Christians close to us. Let’s recognize the truth they need to be taught that will set them free, now and down the road.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Matt 8:32
Matt 8:32
God has given us together sufficient knowledge to teach one another in community. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him that He is the ultimate teacher and the Truth itself.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Selma and Gerrard are smarter than most Christian couples. They know that the devil would like to take them far off course in their living for God and his glory. So, they have given each other permission to voice their concerns whenever they see the other might be vulnerable to Satan’s scheming. They have worked it out so that they will not get defensive if the other teaches some biblical truth because of concern that they might not be strong enough to resist the devil and send him fleeing. As a result, the evil one has trouble sneaking up on Gerrard and Selma.
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We can use teaching one another to fight evil and defeat the devil.
And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive,
I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
in order that Satan might not outwit us.
For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Cor 2:10b-11
I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
in order that Satan might not outwit us.
For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Cor 2:10b-11
In the above case, Paul forgave the Corinthian church to thwart the devil because he knew the evil one was trying to undermine them through tolerance of an unholy relationship in their midst. The important point is that we can do many things to defeat Satan because we know what he is up to in our sphere of contacts and influence. We are often not aware of what Satan’s scheme is regarding many Christians we care about but with whom do not have a close relationship. But we do, or can figure out, what the devil can do to destroy the lives of those of whom we have more knowledge.
I hate to admit it, but because I am still a sinner, even though saved, I can all too easily see what specific evil can defeat others. My new self still remembers the schemes of my old self. And, I am not blind to how people hurt others. Therefore, when I purposely think about each of my close Christian friends, my Christian family members, and my Christian spouse, I can guess with a bit of accuracy what would take them off their path of faith.
Because of this ability to predict, it is a mistake to wait to teach Scriptural truth until a problem confronts a friend, family member, or spouse. Why wait when perhaps the problem can be avoided? Proactive rather than reactive teaching is most valuable. It can become quite natural in close Christian relationships where sharing the Bible in light of present circumstances can become a habit. Otherwise, it can seem contrived or be misunderstood as judgment. When a person brings up Scripture or biblical truth abruptly or unnaturally in conversation, it can feel like a rebuke when it is merely intended to be of help.
We Christians need to be aware enough of this Together as instructed by God so that we (1) agree to make pre-emptive biblical counsel something desirable to be given and received often, (2) expect one another to study the Bible for everyone’s good, and (3) give one another permission to bring up biblical truth that just might be of help in light of what life is presently putting on our plates. We need to be able to look forward to teaching from one another and feel rejected if it is not forthcoming very often.
Teaching in friendships must be made higher priority. If Christian friendships are just for fun, they don’t need to be high priority. Christians should never see a friendship as merely for fun. Friends are always traveling a road of faith together, with attacks from a sinful culture and challenges from God both requiring one more step of faith. Sure, there are times when life is pleasant and smooth-going. But if there are not occasional challenges, we have to wonder from a perspective of growing faith if things are “going so well as to not be going well”.
A friend takes a new job. She is excited. We think, “No problem here. I am glad for her. She will do okay. She knows how to do that work.” Such an attitude is okay for the members of her small group Bible study or the pastor and other acquaintances at church. But, a close friend might know that her marriage is not satisfying. What if a man at the new job finds her attractive? Can she be fortified for this understandable and predictable temptation from Satan? Should there be a conversation about some biblical truth and God’s great love?
The same applies to family relationships. Looking ahead is critical in order to protect our children. Especially in this culture that is so dismissive of living within the bounds of God’s will, much more needs to be talked about long before temptations present themselves. Reacting to sexual permissiveness, for example, is not going to work. Proactive preparation for living in a world that thinks nothing of early sexual experimentation, abortion, “hooking up”, and all sorts of sexual activity must happen. For example, teens, both girls and boys, can be asked before it is too late, even though the warning has already been taught, is, “How can you keep from becoming pregnant too soon?” Kids can be asked, “What is the best way to handle a friend asking you to do something illegal?”
Husbands and wives need to give each other permission to help with the other’s success in living for God. With agreement for such an arrangement and an understanding that they are both sinners not completely prepared for most of the challenges of life, they can teach biblical truth to each other.
Let’s learn to use teaching one another to defeat Satan and his evil plans for us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
I hate to admit it, but because I am still a sinner, even though saved, I can all too easily see what specific evil can defeat others. My new self still remembers the schemes of my old self. And, I am not blind to how people hurt others. Therefore, when I purposely think about each of my close Christian friends, my Christian family members, and my Christian spouse, I can guess with a bit of accuracy what would take them off their path of faith.
Because of this ability to predict, it is a mistake to wait to teach Scriptural truth until a problem confronts a friend, family member, or spouse. Why wait when perhaps the problem can be avoided? Proactive rather than reactive teaching is most valuable. It can become quite natural in close Christian relationships where sharing the Bible in light of present circumstances can become a habit. Otherwise, it can seem contrived or be misunderstood as judgment. When a person brings up Scripture or biblical truth abruptly or unnaturally in conversation, it can feel like a rebuke when it is merely intended to be of help.
We Christians need to be aware enough of this Together as instructed by God so that we (1) agree to make pre-emptive biblical counsel something desirable to be given and received often, (2) expect one another to study the Bible for everyone’s good, and (3) give one another permission to bring up biblical truth that just might be of help in light of what life is presently putting on our plates. We need to be able to look forward to teaching from one another and feel rejected if it is not forthcoming very often.
Teaching in friendships must be made higher priority. If Christian friendships are just for fun, they don’t need to be high priority. Christians should never see a friendship as merely for fun. Friends are always traveling a road of faith together, with attacks from a sinful culture and challenges from God both requiring one more step of faith. Sure, there are times when life is pleasant and smooth-going. But if there are not occasional challenges, we have to wonder from a perspective of growing faith if things are “going so well as to not be going well”.
A friend takes a new job. She is excited. We think, “No problem here. I am glad for her. She will do okay. She knows how to do that work.” Such an attitude is okay for the members of her small group Bible study or the pastor and other acquaintances at church. But, a close friend might know that her marriage is not satisfying. What if a man at the new job finds her attractive? Can she be fortified for this understandable and predictable temptation from Satan? Should there be a conversation about some biblical truth and God’s great love?
The same applies to family relationships. Looking ahead is critical in order to protect our children. Especially in this culture that is so dismissive of living within the bounds of God’s will, much more needs to be talked about long before temptations present themselves. Reacting to sexual permissiveness, for example, is not going to work. Proactive preparation for living in a world that thinks nothing of early sexual experimentation, abortion, “hooking up”, and all sorts of sexual activity must happen. For example, teens, both girls and boys, can be asked before it is too late, even though the warning has already been taught, is, “How can you keep from becoming pregnant too soon?” Kids can be asked, “What is the best way to handle a friend asking you to do something illegal?”
Husbands and wives need to give each other permission to help with the other’s success in living for God. With agreement for such an arrangement and an understanding that they are both sinners not completely prepared for most of the challenges of life, they can teach biblical truth to each other.
Let’s learn to use teaching one another to defeat Satan and his evil plans for us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Verna has always wanted to be a teacher. It was never possible. She got pregnant when she was a teenager and became a single mom with no time or money for college. Eventually, she got married and divorced twice and ended up with five children to raise as best she could. When her youngest was five, she learned that God had come down to earth and died to pay the penalty for her sins. Through Jesus Christ’s sinless life, undeserved death, and resurrection from the dead she began a new life of joy. For a few years now, it has been easy for her to know that success and happiness does not come from material possessions and social status.
Verna learned many things about God and tells everyone she knows. She can’t help it. She wanted to be a teacher, remember? Verna will find out when she gets to heaven that she will be a teacher for all eternity. That position of service will be her reward. |
When we leave our bodies behind in death and awake in heaven, we will have a lot to learn. Earth is far more limited than heaven and the universe. The list of old things to learn more about will be dwarfed by all the new things to learn about.
It seems to make sense that some of us will be those with the developed ability to learn new things in heaven and pass them on. Those will be the saints who in the sinful environment of the fallen earth took seriously the need to learn about God and his ways and then accepted the task of teaching others.
Don’t we want to enter heaven with an accelerated curiosity to learn about God and all that there is in eternal life? Everyone will enter heaven with bulging eyes and will take an interest in comprehending all that surrounds them. But, some will be more ready to pounce on the opportunity to learn. They will come to heaven with a head start.
It does not seem likely that God would steal from us the joy of discovery (the “ah-ha!” experiences) by having us automatically understand everything once we step through the Pearly Gates. Before death, God did not have us automatically understand Himself, salvation, and the Christian life instantaneously upon accepting Christ. Instead, He gave us the Bible to spend years learning and discovering more and more amazing truth. And He made it so that we would need to teach one another. Since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, we will most likely learn in heaven little by little. More important than the learning will be the continual awe-struck praise that we will feel each time we learn a little more. Each such moment will be part of the worship of heaven.
But, there will be things to learn and teach that have their glory tied to life in the sinful culture before death. For example, Psalm 23:4 will have no parallel in heaven, but it will be truth about God that some in heaven will not have paid attention to when such knowledge would have been experiential.
It seems to make sense that some of us will be those with the developed ability to learn new things in heaven and pass them on. Those will be the saints who in the sinful environment of the fallen earth took seriously the need to learn about God and his ways and then accepted the task of teaching others.
Don’t we want to enter heaven with an accelerated curiosity to learn about God and all that there is in eternal life? Everyone will enter heaven with bulging eyes and will take an interest in comprehending all that surrounds them. But, some will be more ready to pounce on the opportunity to learn. They will come to heaven with a head start.
It does not seem likely that God would steal from us the joy of discovery (the “ah-ha!” experiences) by having us automatically understand everything once we step through the Pearly Gates. Before death, God did not have us automatically understand Himself, salvation, and the Christian life instantaneously upon accepting Christ. Instead, He gave us the Bible to spend years learning and discovering more and more amazing truth. And He made it so that we would need to teach one another. Since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, we will most likely learn in heaven little by little. More important than the learning will be the continual awe-struck praise that we will feel each time we learn a little more. Each such moment will be part of the worship of heaven.
But, there will be things to learn and teach that have their glory tied to life in the sinful culture before death. For example, Psalm 23:4 will have no parallel in heaven, but it will be truth about God that some in heaven will not have paid attention to when such knowledge would have been experiential.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Ps 23:4
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Ps 23:4
There will be a need for those who came to heaven with much teaching experience to teach others what they overlooked before death. Those who had not been aware of God’s protection when traveling through dangerous times previously, will not be able to experience it in heaven because there will be no dark valleys and no evil. But they will be able to learn of God’s protective nature, and who better to teach them than those who traveled dangerous life paths beforehand and were apt to teach?
We can draw an example from another Together - “Test the Spirits Together”. Now, amidst a sinful culture, obedience to this Together will give more knowledge of the devil’s work and God’s ways of deliverance. Learning about this first hand will be impossible in heaven where there is no sin and no demons. But, those who discerned the spirits before death will be able to teach those in heaven who did not - if they also obeyed the Bible’s instruction to “Teach One Another”. When others learn from them the historical drama of discerning the spirits, they will be able to praise God for what they did not pay attention to but for which He deserves much praise.
So, wouldn’t we want to be qualified to teach in heaven? If so, let’s get busy teaching truth over time, in depth, with patience and the words that the Holy Spirit will give us. And, don’t forget, this kind of teaching one another is not satisfied by only teaching Sunday school or leading a Bible study. It needs to be up close and very personal with those in our Christian inner circles. Committed, dedicated teaching focused on the needs of others, not on our need to teach, is required.
So, let’s prepare ourselves to be assertive learners who then teach others in heaven. Let’s get into our Bibles and in prayer listen to what God is saying to us. Then, let’s pass that truth on in our closest Christian relationships.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
We can draw an example from another Together - “Test the Spirits Together”. Now, amidst a sinful culture, obedience to this Together will give more knowledge of the devil’s work and God’s ways of deliverance. Learning about this first hand will be impossible in heaven where there is no sin and no demons. But, those who discerned the spirits before death will be able to teach those in heaven who did not - if they also obeyed the Bible’s instruction to “Teach One Another”. When others learn from them the historical drama of discerning the spirits, they will be able to praise God for what they did not pay attention to but for which He deserves much praise.
So, wouldn’t we want to be qualified to teach in heaven? If so, let’s get busy teaching truth over time, in depth, with patience and the words that the Holy Spirit will give us. And, don’t forget, this kind of teaching one another is not satisfied by only teaching Sunday school or leading a Bible study. It needs to be up close and very personal with those in our Christian inner circles. Committed, dedicated teaching focused on the needs of others, not on our need to teach, is required.
So, let’s prepare ourselves to be assertive learners who then teach others in heaven. Let’s get into our Bibles and in prayer listen to what God is saying to us. Then, let’s pass that truth on in our closest Christian relationships.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
Antonio rose from poverty in a run-down neighborhood in New York City because a few of the unemployed men told him about Jesus and encouraged him to do well in school. He became an entrepreneur and is a street vender, selling hot dogs and chicken on a stick from his own cart to businesspeople on their lunch break.
When Antonio was not busy keeping his grill and small kitchen on wheels clean, he studied a Bible he was given by an aunt. As he learned things about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, he taught his customers. Everyone tolerated his teaching because he was so friendly and affirmed them. But a few were Christians also and actually bought lunch from him more often just to learn something more from the Bible. Now Antonio is in heaven. He has been rewarded with a position teaching others about how to build one another up in the faith through affirmation. And he gets hot dogs and hamburgers from street venders who did not teach others before coming to heaven but who can grill one mean heavenburger. |
This is one of the few Togethers of Scripture that occurs in heaven. We will teach one another there in heaven just as we do now. Those whose spirit is prone to teach and be taught by those in their Christian Inner Circle will learn more about God, His holy nature, His ways, His home heaven, and many other aspects of God’s physical and spiritual universe. Now, before death, a little about these things can be learned if we put our heads together, but in heaven what we can learn will explode into infinity.
It will be great to enter heaven with the spiritual skills developed earlier by teaching truth to one another. First, we will hit the ground running with the propensity to seek out new things about God and his heaven. Second, we will have a deep desire in our spirits to show others what we are finding out.
Needless to say, those now who do not now pass on spiritual truth to other Christians and do not diligently seek to learn from others, will go to heaven with spirits weak in the ability to take in all there is in heaven about God and all He has to reveal to us.
Some may think that when we get to heaven we will know everything. But, when the fog of sin is gone in heaven, we will not know everything but finally be able to see things clearly. We will not know everything – that belongs to God alone.
However, God will take great joy in revealing things to us, just as He does now – just so much more in heaven. We all know the joy of revealing something exciting to our children or our spouse or our friends. Now is the time to expand the sense of joy in our spirits in passing on things we learn about God and spiritual life with Him.
Most importantly, teaching one another is essential to our attaining a mature faith.
It will be great to enter heaven with the spiritual skills developed earlier by teaching truth to one another. First, we will hit the ground running with the propensity to seek out new things about God and his heaven. Second, we will have a deep desire in our spirits to show others what we are finding out.
Needless to say, those now who do not now pass on spiritual truth to other Christians and do not diligently seek to learn from others, will go to heaven with spirits weak in the ability to take in all there is in heaven about God and all He has to reveal to us.
Some may think that when we get to heaven we will know everything. But, when the fog of sin is gone in heaven, we will not know everything but finally be able to see things clearly. We will not know everything – that belongs to God alone.
However, God will take great joy in revealing things to us, just as He does now – just so much more in heaven. We all know the joy of revealing something exciting to our children or our spouse or our friends. Now is the time to expand the sense of joy in our spirits in passing on things we learn about God and spiritual life with Him.
Most importantly, teaching one another is essential to our attaining a mature faith.
He is the one we proclaim,
admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Col 3:16
admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Col 3:16
It will be great to enter heaven with the spiritual skills developed earlier by teaching truth to one another. First, we will hit the ground running with the propensity to seek out new things about God and his heaven. Second, we will have a supernatural desire to show others what we are finding out.
Before death there was so much to learn about God. More than any one of us could cover. So, we each are drawn by God’s Spirit to some small part of God’s revelation. We can settle for just that one peek into the glory of God. But, why would we want to do that? It would be so much better to gather with our Christian friends or with our Christian family members or with our Christian husband or wife – and see what portion of God’s wonder the Holy Spirit has directed to their attention. Instead of one peek into the nature, glory, grace and mercy of God, we would have 3 or 10 views of things to which we otherwise would pay less attention.
And, this would be great preparation that would make it really good in heaven.
A person who was a florist and saw the intricate details of God’s creativity in flowers will run up to beauties that God created just for heaven. With great excitement, she will call her friends over and show them more of the creative hand of God than they ever before imagined. Sadly, a florist not so used to teaching one another will have the first joy, that of discovering the beauty of one of heaven’s unique flowers. But, the second joy of exhilaration in showing someone else will not be what it could have been.
The joy of showing others something about God in heaven will be magnified a thousand times over the joy in doing so now. Those listening will not be sin-distracted by pride (“I know that!”), from competition (“I’ve got to know more than that person.”), or self-focus (“I’m not interested in that.”). Nothing will distract us from the joy of telling about God. There will be no questions aimed at challenging us in order to build self-esteem. Others might add observations, and we will be thrilled to have such contributions. Yes, in heaven, teaching will be pure joy.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
Before death there was so much to learn about God. More than any one of us could cover. So, we each are drawn by God’s Spirit to some small part of God’s revelation. We can settle for just that one peek into the glory of God. But, why would we want to do that? It would be so much better to gather with our Christian friends or with our Christian family members or with our Christian husband or wife – and see what portion of God’s wonder the Holy Spirit has directed to their attention. Instead of one peek into the nature, glory, grace and mercy of God, we would have 3 or 10 views of things to which we otherwise would pay less attention.
And, this would be great preparation that would make it really good in heaven.
A person who was a florist and saw the intricate details of God’s creativity in flowers will run up to beauties that God created just for heaven. With great excitement, she will call her friends over and show them more of the creative hand of God than they ever before imagined. Sadly, a florist not so used to teaching one another will have the first joy, that of discovering the beauty of one of heaven’s unique flowers. But, the second joy of exhilaration in showing someone else will not be what it could have been.
The joy of showing others something about God in heaven will be magnified a thousand times over the joy in doing so now. Those listening will not be sin-distracted by pride (“I know that!”), from competition (“I’ve got to know more than that person.”), or self-focus (“I’m not interested in that.”). Nothing will distract us from the joy of telling about God. There will be no questions aimed at challenging us in order to build self-esteem. Others might add observations, and we will be thrilled to have such contributions. Yes, in heaven, teaching will be pure joy.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
In heaven Judy decides to go on a stroll in a hilly area scattered with huge oak trees. When she sees a group of friends gathered on a hill, she runs up to them. Everyone can see that she has something on her mind. They look at her, signaling by their silence that they are ready for whatever she has to give. From previous encounters over the last two-hundred years, Judy’s friends know that her focus is usually on the relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
Sure enough, Judy has learned something new and exciting, this time about what happened between Father God and Jesus when Moses received the Ten Commandments. Then, right in the middle of teaching her friends, Jesus shows up and whispers in her ear, “Just like I taught my disciples. I like that.” And, He disappears. Judy cannot continue until she wipes the tears of joy from her cheeks. |
While Jesus may want to walk and talk with us on the trails of eternity about His joy of teaching His people in the safe environment of heaven, he will likely cherish more the recounting of the more difficult and daring teaching he did in the hostile environment of Roman-occupied Judea and Galilee. It would a great conversation if we had also risked teaching unpopular truth and faced rejection back before death in a sinful culture.
Those of us who take teaching one another seriously to the point of planned, intentional sharing of truth with those close to us will have a special bond with God. We will know through empathy what Jesus felt like when people listened to him as well as when they ignored what he had to say. We will have experienced similar joy and disappointment.
Think of how much fun it is to go someplace new with a friend and you each excitedly point out to each other every new things you see. It takes a spirit in a believer that is curious, appreciative of God’s creativity, and apt to teach in the sense of pointing things out. Those who grow in obedience to the Scriptures telling us to teach one another will be those who will be able to do this in heaven. They will enrich everyone’s life they touch. But, they likely will seek out others with the same strengths in their spirits.
Praise & Prayer Regarding this Together
God of All Truth, help me to not shy away from speaking of You and Your truth with Christians with whom I come in contact often, especially those in my Christian Inner Circle, but also strangers on the road of my life. Empower me to let the Holy Spirit give me gentle, non-judgmental words of wisdom to season my speech.
Provide more and more opportunities to do this so that I can relate, however little, to what you have done in trying to get your point across to me.
And, please help me to look forward to what others have to teach me in the way of truth. Help my Christian friends, my Christian family members, and my Christian spouse to seek truth to teach me and others, and not to be shy about it.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to consistently search the Bible to learn additional truth and then pass it on those in their Christian Inner Circles. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we pass around Your truth.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus by teaching one another what we know and how we understand Your truth in the pages of Scripture. Jesus, You realized that not everyone who heard Your words would truly listen and at times prefaced what You had to say with, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”. Therefore, help us to be tolerant of those who do not go as deep into Scripture as we would like them to when we try to teach them.
May our lives worship You more because we teach Your truth from the Bible consistently over time, just like You have. We want to reflect back to You as worship Your way of teaching with patience, aligning with our needs different aspects of biblical truth. As You are committed to our growth in knowledge of the truth, let us also be committed to the spiritual growth of those in our Christian Inner Circles.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by making sure his efforts to twist the truth to turn us away from God, as he did in the Garden of Eden, do not work. Give us discernment about what we hear other Christians say so that when something or someone has twisted the truth, we can recognize Satan’s hand and defeat him by teaching Your truth to one another.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming more habitual in teaching one another the truth about You and Your ways as revealed in the Bible. Get us ready to teach one another in heaven, when sin no longer clouds truth, all the new and wonderful additional things there will be to learn. We want to enter heaven with heightened spiritual teaching skills developed earlier before we die.
Those of us who take teaching one another seriously to the point of planned, intentional sharing of truth with those close to us will have a special bond with God. We will know through empathy what Jesus felt like when people listened to him as well as when they ignored what he had to say. We will have experienced similar joy and disappointment.
Think of how much fun it is to go someplace new with a friend and you each excitedly point out to each other every new things you see. It takes a spirit in a believer that is curious, appreciative of God’s creativity, and apt to teach in the sense of pointing things out. Those who grow in obedience to the Scriptures telling us to teach one another will be those who will be able to do this in heaven. They will enrich everyone’s life they touch. But, they likely will seek out others with the same strengths in their spirits.
Praise & Prayer Regarding this Together
God of All Truth, help me to not shy away from speaking of You and Your truth with Christians with whom I come in contact often, especially those in my Christian Inner Circle, but also strangers on the road of my life. Empower me to let the Holy Spirit give me gentle, non-judgmental words of wisdom to season my speech.
Provide more and more opportunities to do this so that I can relate, however little, to what you have done in trying to get your point across to me.
And, please help me to look forward to what others have to teach me in the way of truth. Help my Christian friends, my Christian family members, and my Christian spouse to seek truth to teach me and others, and not to be shy about it.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to consistently search the Bible to learn additional truth and then pass it on those in their Christian Inner Circles. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we pass around Your truth.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus by teaching one another what we know and how we understand Your truth in the pages of Scripture. Jesus, You realized that not everyone who heard Your words would truly listen and at times prefaced what You had to say with, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”. Therefore, help us to be tolerant of those who do not go as deep into Scripture as we would like them to when we try to teach them.
May our lives worship You more because we teach Your truth from the Bible consistently over time, just like You have. We want to reflect back to You as worship Your way of teaching with patience, aligning with our needs different aspects of biblical truth. As You are committed to our growth in knowledge of the truth, let us also be committed to the spiritual growth of those in our Christian Inner Circles.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by making sure his efforts to twist the truth to turn us away from God, as he did in the Garden of Eden, do not work. Give us discernment about what we hear other Christians say so that when something or someone has twisted the truth, we can recognize Satan’s hand and defeat him by teaching Your truth to one another.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming more habitual in teaching one another the truth about You and Your ways as revealed in the Bible. Get us ready to teach one another in heaven, when sin no longer clouds truth, all the new and wonderful additional things there will be to learn. We want to enter heaven with heightened spiritual teaching skills developed earlier before we die.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.