The Divine Path of Teaching and Learning
Our Spiritual Journey
Teaching and learning is not a lecture..
is there a way back to the informal?
is there a way back to the informal?
This article is part of the "Vitalize" pack
In the tapestry of believer's life, teaching and learning are woven threads, strongly connected yet profoundly distinct from mere lectures and rote memorization.
The teachings of Jesus Christ, the process of imparting knowledge transcends the mundane, becoming a sacred endeavor. Or - rather - challenge.
The teachings of Jesus Christ, the process of imparting knowledge transcends the mundane, becoming a sacred endeavor. Or - rather - challenge.
One way or peer to peer?
The postmodern culture has a one way {consumerism or entertaining} culture. You can see the model: The person who's entertaining and the Audience who listens. In other words this is the Lecture culture or TED talk culture.
Unfortunately this misleads us keeping our lives, hearts in the unilateral communication which is far far away from the peer to peer developing relationship during the {original} teaching.
In the ancient culture the sages, seers and prophets or the prominent person of the knowledge always had a personal circle of disciples. It is no different in rabbinic culture. Every person with the slightest knowledge of the Old and New Testaments has heard something about discipleship, the rabbinical school, or the personal spheres of Jesus Christ. Curiously, however, the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist communities practice the original personal form of teaching. But why?
The following text is an overview of the biblical doctrine on teaching.
Unfortunately this misleads us keeping our lives, hearts in the unilateral communication which is far far away from the peer to peer developing relationship during the {original} teaching.
The following text is an overview of the biblical doctrine on teaching.
Wisdom Beyond Material Wealth
The ancient collection of Proverbs, in Pro 16:16 reminds us that wisdom and understanding are treasures far more valuable than silver or gold (aka material aims). The divine wisdom is not gained through mere words (lectures) only by profound personal teachings ("understanding") that shapes the life of the believer – beyond the visible.
Lecture uses time-spot. Understanding takes time. It takes effort, energy. Uses time-frame.
Lecture uses time-spot. Understanding takes time. It takes effort, energy. Uses time-frame.
The divine wisdom is not gained
through mere words
Proverbs 16:16
Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
it is preferable to silver.
Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
it is preferable to silver.
Meditating, Practicing, Training
This is the the everyday routine for the believer. These 3 are inseparable!
Training is a form of teaching: The Way. Even Jesus had a progress in his earthly life. The exercises in body and soul and spirit brings character into our lives.
Whether we are looking at an athlete's personal training plans or a coach's methods of corporate leadership, we find essentially the same ancient knowledge and wisdom without which personal character development is impossible.
Postmodern preaching is hardly helpful to walk this path. That's a one way message - not an interaction or practice.
Wisdom begins with the realization that we are all just children before God Almighty.
Jesus called the children (and the persons who has this mindset) and confronted the disciples:
..whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, meditate /dwell in these things.
What you have learned and received andheard and seen in me —practice these things.
Phil 4:8-9
Learning is observing, questioning, following. Learning is the way where both side - teacher and learner - have benefits. What you have learned and received and
Phil 4:8-9
Training is a form of teaching: The Way. Even Jesus had a progress in his earthly life. The exercises in body and soul and spirit brings character into our lives.
Whether we are looking at an athlete's personal training plans or a coach's methods of corporate leadership, we find essentially the same ancient knowledge and wisdom without which personal character development is impossible.
Postmodern preaching is hardly helpful to walk this path. That's a one way message - not an interaction or practice.
Why children?
The lifelong training of wisdom starts in childhood. The elementary and advanced behaviours must be implanted from the beginning. The Always Experimenting Mindset – in the childhood – learns new things by trying and making mistakes. This is the way of the young kids, but also, the eyes of the researcher or the simple and innocent honest thinker.Wisdom begins with the realization that we are all just children before God Almighty.
Jesus called the children (and the persons who has this mindset) and confronted the disciples:
Mark 10:13-16
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; butthe disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God . Assuredly,(amen,amen) I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but
..of such is the kingdom of God
Let's catch a few things here!
First. Children were brought to Jesus. Presumably the parents brought them to him, hoping that a blessing would come from the encounter.
But who wanted to block the blessing? Hmm.. And how? Hmmm..
Secondly. Jesus resets the spiritual situation and immediately points to the Kingdom and its spiritual mechanism: namely, the childlike mindset.
Thirdly, the blessing was conducted. This is a personal encounter with the Christ, isn't it?
First. Children were brought to Jesus. Presumably the parents brought them to him, hoping that a blessing would come from the encounter.
But who wanted to block the blessing? Hmm.. And how? Hmmm..
Secondly. Jesus resets the spiritual situation and immediately points to the Kingdom and its spiritual mechanism: namely, the childlike mindset.
Thirdly, the blessing was conducted. This is a personal encounter with the Christ, isn't it?
Wisdom based on this beginning (eg. childhood) escorts us through the life.
The child's learning model and the evolving moral model gives lifestyle: shapes a life long development, rooted in the nurturing environment of the Wisdom.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
This way of teaching and paternal wisdom is embraced in love. Love is unimaginable without personal touch, encouraging discipline and escort.
Our heavenly father is a compassionate person, He does not separate theory, test/training and relationship.
Our heavenly father is a compassionate person, He does not separate theory, test/training and relationship.
Psalm 119:64
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
Our heavenly father is a compassionate person.
He does not separate theory,
test /training & relationship
The way
As I mentioned: The way of life depends on the way of learning.
The scriptures affirm that the Lord, Who is Our Father, directs us in the way we should go (Isaiah 48:17), emphasizing the significance of personalized, purpose-driven education:
The scriptures affirm that the Lord, Who is Our Father, directs us in the way we should go (Isaiah 48:17), emphasizing the significance of personalized, purpose-driven education:
Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
In the New Testament we see a somewhat complex list of things to do and part of it is a two-way process... As Paul says to Timothy – it's a progress, to be evident to all:
1 Tim 4:11-15
Jesus to the crowd – Jesus to the disciples
The way the Lord has distinguished between two forms of communication is extremely characteristic: speaking to the disciples and speaking to the masses...
(coming soon..)
(coming soon..)
Jesus was going all over Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the good news of the kingdom,
and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria..
Mt 4:23-24
teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the good news of the kingdom,
and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Mt 4:23-24
Heritage: The apostolic mindset
The apostolic mindset is very much focused on the model/pattern function of the teaching. This is what we have been entrusted with. We are its guardians. But do not be humanist: The whole process is unthinkable without the help of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:13-14
What you heard from me,keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
What you heard from me,
We are Guardians
by the Holy Spirit
Towards the maturity and authority
Knowledge, teaching and Authority walks together. Matthew describes Jesus' teaching when he underscores the authority inherent in true teachings, that brings obedience.
Matthew 7:28-29
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law.
.. he taught as one who had authority..
Obedience
Obeying the Authority of the teaching brings freedom. In the beginning Gd created the Eden and the man had authority over it's beings, because he was obedient or rather: trustful. He had a total unity, a trustful co-existence with Gd Almighty. This idea is quite alien in today's individualist and sinful world. But it's a spiritual teaching for us: the source exists in the Heaven, and our trust has nothing to do with the old carnal and psychikos nature.
Romans 6:17 echoes the abovementioned sentiment, emphasizing that obedience to the form of teaching entrusted to us brings liberation from the bondage of sin.
Romans 6:17 echoes the abovementioned sentiment, emphasizing that obedience to the form of teaching entrusted to us brings liberation from the bondage of sin.
Romans 6:17
...thanks be to God
that, though you used to be slaves to sin,
you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching
to which you were entrusted.
...thanks be to God
that, though you used to be slaves to sin,
you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching
to which you were entrusted.
The entrusted teaching..
brings liberation
Equipped for Every Good Work
Teaching, rooted in the approach described Colossians 1:28, is not merely the impartation of knowledge but the equipping of souls to be perfect in Christ. In this humanist and relativistic world Gd says: "perfect". "τελειον" in Greek means: "having reached its end, finished, complete, perfect, entire, without blemish". It's quite obvious that this apostolic perspective of perfection takes time, through our transformation.
Colossians 1:28
We proclaim him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.
We proclaim him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.
Transformative power
Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes the transformative power of the teaching, the shaping power of the God-breathed scriptures, which prepare and convert us. This transforming power prepares us to be God's servants on the Way:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The end of the transformation
Since we have a perfect firstborn in the family, we have a clear Prototype which perfectly represents the offspring raised up by heaven. Jesus is the new form of the Word, a perfect elder brother.. plus, He has The Throne at the right hand of the Majesty.
Heb 1:3
The Son is the radiance of the glory of God,
the exact imprint of his nature,
he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
The Son is the radiance of the glory of God,
the exact imprint of his nature,
he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
The pastor
One of the key role in the transformation is the life of the pastor.
Pastoral Responsibility and tasks consist of teaching. In Mark 6:34, Jesus exemplifies the pastoral duty of teaching, displaying compassion for those lost in the vast expanse of ignorance.
Pastoral Responsibility and tasks consist of teaching. In Mark 6:34, Jesus exemplifies the pastoral duty of teaching, displaying compassion for those lost in the vast expanse of ignorance.
Mark 6:34
(Jesus) saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
(Jesus) saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Pastoral work, as we can see in Psalm 34:11, is not merely guiding the flock but instilling the fear {respect} of the Lord through profound teachings.
Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
The Apostles’ Vision and Real-Life Application
The 12 apostles had a clear vision about preaching and Teaching, the unique but inseparable role in both area.
As we can see in Acts 15:35, they recognized the importance of teaching through both word and action. And action means that we are to represent the incarnate message.The Word became flesh, (John 1:14) forever – and we are not to restore principles based on mere words and orders.
As we can see in Acts 15:35, they recognized the importance of teaching through both word and action. And action means that we are to represent the incarnate message.
Acts 15:35
Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many otherstaught and preached the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others
The Apostles Care about Practical Implementation
(repetition)
There's no learning progress without putting the theory into practice. Example is the keyword here.
Philippians 4:9 underscores the necessity of practice, bridging the gap between theory and reality in the pursuit of knowledge. Observe the diversity of learning in Paul's letter. Note the list:
There's no learning progress without putting the theory into practice. Example is the keyword here.
Philippians 4:9 underscores the necessity of practice, bridging the gap between theory and reality in the pursuit of knowledge. Observe the diversity of learning in Paul's letter. Note the list:
Philippians 4:9
Whatever you havelearned or received or heard from me, ot seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Whatever you have
The Apostles Follow Jesus, the Master Coach
The full complexity of the Heavenly Way or Doctrine is seen in Jesus. For the Christian, it is not simply the cliché: "the life of Jesus" or "the teaching of Jesus." It is Jesus himself, the message incarnate. It's worth considering how one of the best-known Bible verses brings us closer to knowing Jesus:
John 1:3-4,14.
All things were made through Him...
In him was life...
The Word became flesh..
All things were made through Him...
In him was life...
The Word became flesh..
John and the other apostles are directly referring to the fact that their message is addressed to humanity in the flesh, i.e. through their whole being. In fact, we still do not seem to have grasped the significance of this in the "modern" Christian times......
Paul says:
Paul says:
Philippians 3:17
Join with others in followingmy example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Join with others in following
To be continued ...
Recommended articles:
· Stage: Action - Reaction
· Our Incarnate Word
· Faith and knowledge
· Unity, Maturity, Diversity
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