"Teaching"
Daniel Valles

READ I Timothy 2

As Christians, we are given an example of how we are to relate to others in spreading the truth.  Firstly, teaching must be keep to precepts that are profitable (vs.23).  There are many tangents that can be discussed, but mostly without profit or fruit.  Secondly, as teachers, we must not strive (vs.24).  Today we would say that we should disagree without becoming disagreeable (in character and testimony).  Thirdly, we must be gentle (vs.24).  We cannot expect truths hammered down someone's throat to be swallowed with sincerity. 

Fourthly, we must be apt for teach (vs. 24).  We cannot live our lives in our own little cocoons of silence expecting everyone to teach themselves.  If someone is erring or void of teaching in some area of doctrine, we need to take it upon ourselves to offer assistance in teaching and explaining.  We cannot wait around for the pastor or leaders to discern a void in everyone churchgoers life and address it.  Be apt to teach.  This also implies that you, yourself, have looked into certain matters and are ready to properly teach or instruct on that matter.

Fifthly, we must be patient.  Sometimes you just want to scream 'Why don't you understand?!"   We need to think of the patience that Jesus showed when He taught His disciples.  He knew they would deny Him, and that their faith would roller-coaster, but they were teachable. 

Finally, (and most importantly) we must teach in meekness.  I heard the illustration once of a teacher asking her class to define what meekness was.  One student raised his hand and said, "Meekness is giving a soft answer to a hard question."  Teaching Scriptural truths should not be an opportunity for haughtiness or loftiness, and certainly not pride.   If it is was not for God's Word and Truth, we would be completely ignorant of truth ourselves.

We should not only be open to teachings, but apt to teach.