One teaches - two learn

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Robert Half told us that 'when one teaches, two learn.' I couldn't agree more! In order to teach, one must learn first what one is teaching, but within the teaching, additional learning actually occurs. It is kind of like a tiny embryo of knowledge begins to break into two, then four, and so on. Half also put a question out there for us to consider today: "When your future arrives, will you blame your past?" Too many times, we blame our past, but did we have the opportunity to learn from whatever it was in our past that we blame today and just didn't heed that opportunity?

If you ever get into the scripture and find there is 'new meaning' in a passage you have likely read time and time again, you are just seeing it from today's perspective. The scripture didn't change - your perspective did! The 'relevance' of the scripture is based upon the issues you are encountering at this moment. If you didn't realize it, you were learning something from that passage with each time your present perspective changed. What you 'learned' in an earlier season is not 'unlearned', it is 'added to' by your present season. Scripture is powerful that way - it teaches those who are willing to learn.

The past can be blamed for a bunch of stuff, but your present isn't going to benefit from blaming something or someone in the past for your present perspective. Instead of playing the 'blame game', embrace your present perspective, take it to Jesus, get his perspective on the matter and then let the learning begin. One teaches, two learn. Take what you have learned and use it to help another. In so doing, you are using the knowledge you have received to create a new perspective in someone else's life. Sadly, some feel what they learn at the feet of Jesus is 'just for them', but in truth, God's plan was always to have one learn, then teach, then learn again. 

Go out and make disciples of all men - that is one learning, then teaching, then coming back to learn again. Sometimes our greatest learning comes in those times when we stop blaming the past and take responsibility for the present. Just sayin!

Strong in faith

You, however, must tell everyone how to live in a way that agrees with the true teaching. Teach the older men to have self-control, to be serious, and to be wise. They must be strong in faith, in love, and in patience. (Titus 2:1-2)

You might say the Apostle Paul left Titus in Crete to help establish the churches there, knowing the region well himself, and being commissioned to develop the leadership within those churches. Titus was commissioned to appoint 'elders' to help lead the people - men of good reputation, solid beliefs, and with upright hearts. Titus was also called upon to help the New Testament churches know when a man was teaching wrong doctrine, trying to mislead people with some other 'gospel message' other than grace. It was an important role, but we hear very little of Titus. That might give many of us a little hope, because we don't need to have the 'important roles' in life to contribute in a very positive way!

As Paul commissioned Titus, he told him to look for men who had self-control and wisdom. They were to teach the younger men coming up in the faith to live with similar self-control, determined to live for God in all areas of their lives. It has always been a biblical principle - the elder teaching the younger. From generation to generation, wisdom was passed down and the teachings of God were impressed upon hearts. It is no different in the New Testament churches today. We are to share our knowledge, warning each other against all manner of worthless things and teachings that do nothing more than mislead people. The characteristic of self-control is important as it helps one to stop long enough to consider the wisdom of one's choices. Teachings may seem 'wise', but when we stop long enough to consider them against God's Word, we might see the error in those teachings.

Strong in faith, able to love one another with Christ's love, and exemplifying patience with one another - these are outlined as some of the characteristics of one who is to help the next generation develop in their faith. Their devotion to Christ must be evident - something we might overlook with just a casual look into one's life. It may seem strange to some that Paul would tell Titus to 'scrutinize' the lives of the men and women who would help the next generation of believers develop in their own faith, but one who wavers in their own faith is hardly able to help another who is struggling with faith! Women weren't to go around gossiping about one another - because family gets divided by gossip. Men were to live upright lives - in business or personal affairs, always revealing a positive example of God's love. Women were to exemplify purity, goodness, and grace. No matter what - God was to be central in their work, homes, and friendships. In other words, we are to take care of each other and help each other to mature in God's love, grace, and goodness. A calling we can each embrace. Just sayin!