Listen to TEACH

David Platt wrote the following in his book Radical:

We are, by nature, receivers. Even if we have a desire to learn God’s Word, we still listen from a default self-centered mind-set that is always asking, What can I get out of this? But as we have seen, this is unbiblical Christianity. What if we changed the question whenever we gathered to learn God’s Word? What if we began to think, How can I listen to his Word so that I am equipped to teach this Word to others? ….When we realize that we have the responsibility to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word.

Right on David. This principle has impacted my life…and it would majorly impact every Sunday School class and worship service if Sunday School members and worship attendees would listen not to learn some great thought from a teacher but to listen to gain an insight that they can teach to others. Can you imagine how the conversations at lunch on Sundays would change. The conversations could center on What did you learn this morning? That’s really interesting, I

didn’t catch that thought, tell me more. Who are you going to share what God has taught you today? All of us become teachers and disciplers of each other.

Recently, I had the honor to listen to my friend Keith Flippin teach the Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson on Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5, 6, and 7. The lesson reminded me that I am His ambassador and as his ambassador, I am his representative and my authority and my mission comes from Christ. May I live my life in such a way that people see Christ in me and know that I am his ambassador.

Getting people involved the lesson becomes easy when the student’s mindset changes from What’s in it for me to What can I learn so that I can teach someone else.

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Mark Miller is the State Sunday School Director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention