TEACHING AND LEARNING

2 Timothy 2:2
You heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them onto others.


When our Pastor first approached me about leading a devotion session before Sunday service, I was initially hesitant and unsure of myself and the challenge. However, after some contemplation, I decided to accept the responsibility. This was her way of teaching me that I had the potential to do this. She knew I had the capabilities, even though I didn’t know the first thing about devotions or how to write them. She was teaching me not only to read my Bible but also to understand its message. She wanted me to pull from the message to unravel my own story and make a connection between the words I was reading and the words I wanted to write. To share my devotion with the members of the church that were attending each Sunday, encouraging them to share their own stories and thoughts on the message I was sharing.

As I sit and listen to everyone, I realize we all share many of the same issues. We’ve all experienced heartbreak, battled our own struggles, and endured hardships. But one thing we have in common is our faith. We’ve all had the best teacher there is, guiding us through life’s lessons and tests. Some we pass with flying colors, while others require us to keep trying until we get it right. I believe that’s why we’re often referred to as “a work in progress.” No one is perfect, and there’s always room for improvement. The Lord keeps teaching us, and we keep learning. We’re never too old to learn, and we still make mistakes in life. But he continues to guide us back on track.

If you know someone who needs an encouraging message, whether it’s from one of my devotions or from somewhere else, share it with them. Be the teacher and show them that you’re not only there for them but that God is too. Who knows, you might be the one they’ve been waiting for—a gentle nudge to encourage them to open up and let God in.

My favorite teacher in high school was my English teacher, Mrs. Nichols; I actually had her for Freshman and Senior English class. She was the teacher who encouraged me to read books and I do, every single day I read. And now I’m writing! Praise the Lord for auto-correct and word processors or this would be full of red markings showing all my errors. Needless to say, she would be proud of “her reader girl”.

If reading becomes challenging due to poor eyesight, there are large print Bibles available. In our modern technology-driven era, the Bible is also accessible in an audible format. And as the saying goes, there’s an app for everything, and there’s one for the Bible as well, which you can download on your phone or tablet. The word of God is now literally at your fingertips. There is no valid reason for not being able to read the Bible except for your own lack of effort.

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the message about Christ in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to him to God the Father.