See You In Class

II Timothy 2:23-26

I recently gave my students an assignment in which they had to prepare and teach a lesson to their peers. I heard several of my students say, "I am not going to be a teacher". This prompted a discussion in which I told them that everyone teaches. Of course they protested, to which I shared multiple examples including parenting, training pets, training new employees, training bad co-workers, etc. I told them that in the workforce there are always people who do not do their jobs. We have two choices: we can teach them and maybe solve the problem, or we can fuss, and nothing changes. No matter where we find ourselves in society, we should all strive to teach others on some level.

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”But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

II Timothy 2:23-26

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There is a difference in teaching and fussing or arguing. How we go about trying to present information makes a big difference in how it is received. I wish I had learned this many years ago! A person can be very right in what they are saying, but very wrong in how they say it. If we do not present what we are trying to say "seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6), we will probably only have been successful at causing more strife.

Paul tells Timothy that he should not argue, or quarrel, but be gentle, teach and be patient. Gentleness is hard. When we know for a fact that what we are trying to say is correct, we often do not understand why the other person doesn't already know this. So many times we want to state a fact and be done, but Paul follows the command to be "gentle" with the command to teach. Teaching involves time. It requires someone being presented with information multiple times and then having time to think through what is said. The information has to do more than go in their ears, it has to take root in their brain and maybe even their heart. This requires patience. If being gentle and teaching are difficult, patience is nigh impossible for many of us. It is kind of like the man who prayed "God give me patience and give it to me right now."

The King James Version translated the word "humility" as the word "meekness". I have heard meekness defined as "power under control". I think that is fitting here. As those who understand a concept, we have the ability to condemn and criticize those who do not understand, but just because we have the ability to do something does not mean we should do it. We show restraint with the hope and prayer, that God will grant them repentance. We present the information, but changing hearts is God's business. We obey by teaching and then leave the results to Him.

Finally, we have our purpose in teaching. So many times we present information for the sake of being right. However, as Christians, we should present information for the sake of drawing people to God, or back to God. It is not about being right, but restoring right. We want to see our brother or sister restored to a right relationship with God because they know Him better. Yes, they got off track, but we don't look down on them. We are humbled by the fact that God allowed us to be a part of his restoration process in the life of that individual.

Father, so many times I argue for the sake of being right. Help me to not focus on being right, but restoring people to You. May I be humble, gentle, and patient when I teach. Then, may I always remember that I may sow seeds, I may water seeds, but the outcome is up to You.