Category Archives: Training

Bible, Commands, Law, Scripture, Teaching, Training

HOW DO WE TEACH OTHERS?

ROMANS 2:20

“a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth—”

Often when we try to teach others a new skill, they will not cooperate. I can remember being taught some basic woodworking skills by my dad. My dad was a master carpenter. He could look at something and then build it. He taught my brother and I some of these skills, but we wanted to jump ahead and start sawing and nailing. Oh no! That was not the way. My dad was deliberate and painstakingly tedious to us boys. But I still recall some (not all) of those skills he patiently taught us.

Paul addresses the Jews’ responsibility as corrector and teacher since they had the law. Since they had the knowledge, they were supposed to share it, right? The problem was they didn’t. They only barked out laws for others to follow without actually teaching them why these commandments were important. Knowing the why behind the what was important to understand. The same applies to us as we instruct others in following Jesus.

APPLICATION

Paideutés is the Greek word translated as “corrector” in today’s verse. It “appears twice in the New Testament: Romans 2:20 and Hebrews 12:9. In both places the word stands at the intersection of training, correction, and responsible authority—whether misused by self-confident religious leaders or rightly exercised by loving fathers and, supremely, by God Himself. (Topical Lexicon) In Hebrews 12:9 we see this, “Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them;” The word “discipline” is paideutés where it is referring to more about training. It’s not a punitive thing. It’s an instructive idea.

The word “teacher” is didáskalos. It’s “a teacher, an instructor acknowledged for their mastery in their field of learning; in Scripture, a Bible teacher, competent in theology.” (HELPS Word studies) In contrast to paideutés, this word is used 59 times in the New Testament. It’s the common word used to describe someone who has the knowledge to teach and passes it along.

What knowledge and skill do you possess which the Lord has taught you? Shouldn’t you be showing others? All around us are fellow followers of the Lord who struggle with their walk because no one has taken the time to correct and teach them. I will be in the Dominican Republic this weekend doing just that through our ministry to men. Why don’t you look around your church and see who could use your expertise in walking the walk?

Father, thank You for allowing me to share what You have shown me through Your Word.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Body, Equipping, Kingdom, Scripture, Training

PROPER EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING

EPHESIANS 4:12

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;”

To do any job properly and well, you need the proper equipment and training. You wouldn’t send a lumberjack into the woods to cut down trees without a sharp ax or chainsaw and the knowledge of how to use those tools. You definitely would not send a soldier into war without the necessary weapons to protect himself and others and the training to handle those weapons safely and effectively. Equipping and training people for the task they are assigned is essential. Paul discusses that today.

Verse 12 begins with “for the equipping of the saints.” The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. It is only used right here in this verse. HELPS Word studies defines the word this way, “exact adjustment which describes how (enables) the individual parts to work together in correct order.” That’s more than just equipping. It’s making sure the equipping is a good fit and works with the other parts well.

APPLICATION

This definition in HELPS makes sense when you look at the rest of verse 12. It reads, “for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” That’s why you need to make sure the equipment fits and works well. A saint is not alone in this effort. Every saint is connected to every other saint. If we are not working well together, the “machinery” of the body of Christ is not all it can be.

I have told this story before, but it fits well here. There was the old stone chapel in the hills of Scotland that had no electricity. The only way it had light for evening services was by the lanterns each member of the church brought with them. Every member knew that if their light was not present for the service, the chapel would be less bright. Their light was needed.

Listen, beloved, our equipping by the Lord of our gifts and skills is done so that we can be a part of something bigger. It is not about us. It is all about the body of Christ. We are equipped to help others. We are trained by the Holy Spirit to build up His kingdom. So, put it out there. Be bold. Let God use you in whatever way He chooses. Your light is needed.

Lord, I praise You that You have given me gifts to give to others.

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