To Serve: Tell, Teach, Practice

My business career has taken me to be a teacher in the corporate and business world. Everyone is different in their style of learning, and it is my job to determine those styles and guide the learning for every individual in the classroom. As you can imagine, there are a lot of factors that aid me as well as get in the way of determining the style of each person. Therefore, I have to provide a method where I can reach all regardless of style and that is to:

• Tell the learners about the material
• Teach them how to use the material
• Have them practice the material

Paul provides a similar process in three verses in his letter to Timothy that guides him in his education of the people.

“⁶If you put these things before the brothers…¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹⁵Practice these things, immerse yourself in them…” – 1 Timothy 4:6, 11, & 15 (ESV)

As a young man, Timothy did not have years and years of experience and Paul provided detailed guidance on the process of leading and instructing the even younger in the faith. Paul was not there to give daily guidance and therefore, he trained Timothy on the grand process and what the final outcome should be. When followed, the job could be done with the final outcome in line with what it should be.

I only shared the beginnings of verses 6 and 15 above. There is more to them that give provide even more direction as to why Timothy should take this approach and what can/should result.

“⁶…you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and the good doctrine that you have followed…¹⁵…so that all may see your progress.” – 1 Timothy 4:6 & 15 (ESV)

When I read the full verses and the passage itself, I am reminded that I have been told of the right path to take. I am responsible to learn more about what I have been told. I have to continue to practice so that they become a habit and so that others may see those in me.

When you learn, what does your process look like? Are you aware that you have been told, taught, and should be practicing? In your service, are you telling, teaching, and practicing?