Key Verse: Verse 20 – "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Key Words: Teaching them
In Matthew 28:19-20 we read, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” There is no way a genuine believer can misunderstand this portion of Scripture. Evangelize - baptize - disciple! We win people to Christ by telling them the Good News of the Gospel; then we baptize them as converts; and then we teach them. None of us are exempt from carrying out any part of this Great Commission. Just as soul-winning is not a choice, neither is discipleship a choice. Whether we are parents, pastors, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, Christian school educators, or lay people, we all have the command to disciple.
John Milton Gregory says, “True teaching is not that which gives out knowledge, but that which stimulates pupils to gain it. One might say that he who teaches best teaches least; or that he teaches best those whose pupils who learn most without being taught directly. Two meanings of the word teach are involved: one, simply telling; the other, creating the conditions for real learning.”
Dennis H. Dirks states, “God has chosen teachers to be the instrument for promoting change.” The root meaning of the word educate means to be drawn out, rather than filled with facts. It may be compared with the role of a nurse assisting in the birth of a baby. The nurse does not merely tell the mother all she needs to know about the birth process, but the nurse helps make the birth possible. This is the word for teaching, to draw out what’s already there. This is also called mentoring or discipling. God called and has commanded us as believers - all of us - to grow and mentor others. So I close by asking you, “Who are you mentoring?” Think about it.
What to do:
✞ Ask God to direct you to others who need mentoring.
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