UPHOLDING KINGDOM VALUES Pt.5

THE VALUE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

One thing that stands out in discipleship is learning. The call to Christian discipleship is the call to learning. When Jesus told those that are heavy laden to come unto Him and to bear His yoke, He made a vital statement saying "learn from me". Some versions of the bible used the phrase "I will teach you". We learn through teaching, they are related. The believer in Christ cannot grow into the image and stature of Christ without being taught. True disciples are lifelong learners not just mere followers. In fact you cannot follow well if you haven't learnt well. It took Jesus three and half years to teach and groom His disciples on how to be good followers of Him. Jesus Himself was their bible study teacher, they attended His theology school.

I want you to observe how vital " teaching/ learning" is in the great commission verses: "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. TEACH these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT). The disciples are to be taught to obey. There's a nexus between "learning" and "obedience". You cannot obey a command you don't know about. You cannot be a good disciple if you're not willing to be educated about Christ and His kingdom. In the kingdom, learning is of great value that is why the scriptures is full of teachings. If God places premium on learning we have no excuse. You must grow to love learning.

Do not be like some who love jamboree meetings and sensationalism but ignore avenues to learn about Christ. As a Bible teacher, I have noticed a sad trend among some Christians, in places where deep teachings of the kingdom are taught, often responses are low but when people hear themes on "relationship, marriage, prosperity & miracles" or may be you call for a "prayer meeting" with funny themes like: "this witch must die" and the likes, you'll likely have a full house. Some people want the branch but not the root whereas scriptures emphasized that our rootedness in Christ is a function of learning the word: "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. THEN YOUR FAITH WILL GROW STRONG IN THE TRUTH YOU WERE TAUGHT, and you will overflow with thankfulness."(Col 2:7NLT). Did you notice the word "taught"? When last did you attend bible study meeting/Sunday school in your church to be taught scriptures? When you hear bible teachers, do you despise them by calling them boring? If you have a negative attitude towards learning, you need to repent quickly. I've always said, the believer can only grow in Christ through teaching. If you place a great value on your spiritual life, you will value learning.