Teaching Others

Now that you have obeyed the gospel of Christ and are a faithful member of a local church, you need to be impressed with the great opportunity and responsibility you have to teach another person the word of truth that you have learned. God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). How will that happen? Since it is by the preaching and teaching of the gospel, God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16), that people are saved (1 Corinthians 1:21), Christ wants all of His disciples to be teaching it to others (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Why You Should Teach Others

• You are a Christian. You have been created in Christ Jesus for good works (Titus 2:14). As a matter of fact, you are to be “zealous” for them. If you are not accomplishing them, of what value are you to the Lord? Every Christian is expected to bear fruit (John 15:1-6).
• One of the greatest joys a Christian can have is that of teaching and converting another person (3 John 4).
• You will be following the example of Jesus. He loved people (John 15:13). One of the ways He showed that great love was by personally teaching men and women the truth (Luke 19:10).
• Christ commanded it in the great commission given in Matthew 28:18-20. Those who have been taught and baptized are, in turn, to teach others.
• You will be following the example of the first century Christians who “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Not even persecution stopped them from reaching out to those in need of Christ.
• You will be considered a faithful Christian because faithful children of God are to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Self-preservation. Teaching others is vital to your growth and development as a child of God (Hebrews 5:12-14). By constantly teaching others you maintain an interest in spiritual things.
• You can increase the teaching power of your local congregation. Though members might differ as to knowledge and/or ability, all should be actively teaching (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). At the present time, though, you may feel your knowledge is too limited and that you cannot possibly teach someone else. If you knew enough to become a Christian, you know enough to tell others what you did and why you did it.
• It is the greatest work in the world-saving a soul (Matthew 16:26). Nothing else you can do lasts forever. Your efforts in teaching others can have an eternal impact on their lives and yours.

What Attitudes Do You Need?

• You need to follow the “golden rule.” It is found in Matthew 7:12: “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.”
• You need to be gentle when teaching others. 2 Timothy 2:24-25: “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.”
• You must speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15: “But, speaking the truth in love.”
• You must be ready to give an answer to any who would ask about the hope within you. 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
• You should walk in wisdom and know-how to answer every person. Colossians 4:5-6: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Who Can You Teach?

Prospects abound. They are all around you every day. You need to heed the instruction Jesus gave to His disciples in John 4:35 and “lift up your eyes.” Below is a very small list of some who need the gospel.