Do We Have The Wrong Goal Of Teaching?

[This is the fourth post in a series about how Christian leaders are commanded to be teachers as well. In the first post, we looked at the actual command to be teachers. In the next post, we discussed what it means to be a skilled worker, correctly handling God’s Word. In the most recent post, we looked at being a godly example. In this post, we will determine our GOAL for teaching.]

Learning From Paul

We have been looking at Paul’s second letter to Timothy to find out what it says about how we as Christian leaders are to teach others. Today, we are going to discuss exactly what our goal should be – and what it should not be!

Here are the verses we are studying today:

But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:23-26

What Is The Goal?

Before we get into the HOW of teaching others in my next post, we first need to agree on the overall goal for teaching. We also need to fully understand what is NOT our goal. While this may be a bit backwards, I think you will understand my reasons for this in a minute.

If I ask my wife what her goal is for her teaching her second grade students, she would tell me that the goal is for the students to learn, retain, and be able to apply the information she is teaching them. I think most of you would agree that is a reasonable goal.

Just as important as knowing the goal is knowing if you have achieved the goal. In my wife’s case, teaching success is measured by having the students take standardized tests at various times during the year. The stress around our house during those times is a good indicator of the importance of those tests!

What Is Your Goal?

You are probably thinking that this is pretty obvious to most people. Granted. However, if I ask you to tell me the goal for you as a teacher of God’s Word, how would you answer?

Some might say that the goal would be for the “student” to recognize the truth of the Word. Others would argue that the repentance of the “student” would be the goal. A third group might say that simply getting up the courage to teach would be their goal!

Surprise!

Guess what? I think the third group is closer to the truth than the other two groups! Seriously! Let’s take a look at why I say this. You can then decide if you agree or not.

Look again at this part of the passage:

Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 2:25

Big Deal!

That is a huge statement! If you don’t immediately understand what I am saying, don’t worry. It just clicked with me as I was preparing this post:

The responsibility for the repentance of the “student” is not ours! It is God’s!

We Are Only To Teach

That’s right. It is our responsibility to teach the truth. We are to teach others all that Jesus commanded us. We are responsible for being skilled with the Word of God so that we are correctly teaching the truth. We are even responsible for living by example all that we are teaching.

At the same time, we are NOT at all responsible for how the “student” responds. There is nothing at all we can do to force or convince someone to accept God’s word and repent. There is nothing we can do to push anyone into a salvation experience.

Unlike my wife’s situation, we are not held responsible for the “student’s” acceptance, retention, or application of the information we give them. We are solely responsible for teaching them and we are to leave the rest to God.

So What?

Do you realize why this is so important to know? Folks, this takes all of the pressure off of us! We are not to be stressed about how our teaching is received. We are not to get aggressive with our teaching (and risk stepping outside of the guidelines we are given) simply because it does not appear we are getting through!

No. We are to teach. We are to follow the guidelines Paul lays out for us. We are certainly to do this out of love for the “student” and with the hope that they will heed our instruction. And yes, there should be passion in your teaching.

Now We Can Enjoy It!

And because we know that God is responsible for the results, we should be free to enjoy the teaching. We should allow His love flow through us to the “student” so that they are drawn to Him. We should cause them to want what we have.

If we will do this, and do it frequently, then we will provide God with ample opportunities to lead people to repentance. He is not depending on us to do the repentance work, but He does want us to do the teaching that points them in that direction. And we should be thrilled for the part He allows us to play in this awesome process!

Have you ever felt the pressure to lead someone to God?

Do you see how the pressure should be eliminated?

How will this affect your teaching?

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