> General Discussions

What exactly is wrong with teaching?

<< < (2/5) > >>

EKnight:
Kent,

I am with you.  I, personally, am not equipped to try and debate anyone.  However, I don't see the problem if someone is comfortable enough in their knowledge and understanding.

I recently went on vacation with family members and one in particular brought up God and hell and I could not pretend I was of the same belief so I explained to her where I was at.  She wasn't argumentative but didn't agree with me either.  She asked me why I didn't take my questions to the Catholic church and I simply told her, they had 12 years of Catholic school and 45 years of my life at church on Sundays to teach me and I never learned anything like I have learned here.  In fact I couldn't even find a Catholic church that offered bible studies (good thing too otherwise I may have never ended up here).

So for now I struggle to be living proof of the Good News.

Eileen

Dave in Tenn:
There's nothing wrong with teaching.  Paul said 'woe is me if I do not preach the gospel'.  

But there are scriptural warnings and admonitions that apply to those who want to be or are considered 'teachers'.  I certainly recognize that there are ones among us who are able and willing to do this.  Though I am not (yet) one of them, I honor that.  That doesn't stop me from warning and admonishing those who do.  

Too much of my life I have externalized the scripture and what truth God has shown me.  I was teaching a sunday school class when I was 21 years old, about half the age of the other teachers.  The first thing that came to my mind when reading scripture wasn't 'how do I apply this to my life' but 'how can I convince other people to apply this to their lives'.  That's so unbelievably wrong-headed and I've had that beaten out of me to the greatest extent...so much so, maybe, that I am TOO timid.

My spirit is with Joe right now.  I don't want the name of God to be blasphemed because I'm a hypocrite.  It's not an intellectual thing.  I know enough now to share some of it.  But I'm not actively looking for 'oppurtunity'.  Maybe one day I will...in the meantime I have plenty of scripture to back up where I am.  There is plenty as well to back up those God has prepared to actively go out.  We arebrothers, just not operating the same way.

I agree with you that reluctance to share based on fear of rejection is not a very Godly attitude.  Peter's defense of the Lord was also not Godly and Christ had to do a miracle to repair that soldier's ear cut off in Peter's zeal.  

It's a good measure of Spiritual maturity that people are willing to risk all to preach the Gospel, but it's also a measure of Spiritual maturity to know when to speak and when to keep silent, to not cast pearls before swine, and to recognize one's own lack of faith and fruits as a hindrance to the Gospel we believe.

I pray for those of you 'teaching', and it isn't that you'd shut up, believe me.   :D  

And if it makes you feel any better, I'll never let the Hell lie go unchallenged.  I'm just not ready to go out and find new 'forums' to challenge it.  I'll know I'm ready when God calls me to do it and makes it possible.

  

      

psalmsinger:
Maybe the following excerpt from the book "We are not Afraid"  the story of Coalwood WV, is relavent or maybe not, but it gave me much to consider about
2 Tim 1:7-9
7   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8   Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9   Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
(KJV)

I Jn 4:18
18   There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(KJV)

"The key to being able to stand up for yourself is to first be certain of what you believe.  It's hard work, sorting out all your experiences and education and what you see and hear to figure out what you think about things.  Read, talk to people and really pay attention to what they say.  Don't be fooled by the easy answer.  Make sure you understand why you think the way you do.  If you work hard to have an opinion, you're much more likely to fight for it.  You will have the courage to tell others what you believe, and when you do that, you defeat fear."

Of course it is the Holy spirit that teaches us about the heavenlies and about how to cast out fear or "defeat fear" , but perhaps the process and the end result is the same.  If you are to "teach", the Lord will send the Word through your mouth.  I think that surprisingly, it will not be you at all, but the Christ Spirit in you.  He is the only Teacher.

Rest in the Lord,
Barbara

Kat:

I think there is an obvious difference in seeking to witnessing or teach and defending the truth.  I do not look for an opportunity to jump in with my beliefs to my family and friends.  But then again if one presents itself, I would not ignore it and turn a deaf ear.  I would not hesitate to speak up if someone was saying something I strongly disagreed with.  I guess it all depends on how you look at a particular situation and should judge each by it own merits.

And yes Barbara I agree, it will not be you at all, but the Christ Spirit in you.  He is the only Teacher.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

OBrenda:
Great Post Kent!

And an Amen to everyone!
 ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page