PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 15:30-35
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.” (Acts 15:35)
In the model of church I grew up in, there is usually one preacher/teacher.
The role of the professional preacher/teacher has replaced home grown ones.
Following Jesus’s equipping model, the early church trained up many preachers/teachers.
In fact, it was expected that disciples would eventually become teachers.
“Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.” (Hebrews 5:11?-?12)
Jesus did not set up a hierarchy of clergy and laity.
Jesus trained disciples who trained disciples to train disciples, and so on.
In my experience, many disciples do not see themselves as “teachers”.
Even after years – even decades – of sitting in church, they still can’t teach.
Nor do we let them, because we have assigned this role to the paid professional.
The church has lost it’s voice; the Enemy has silenced the witnesses.
In my opinion its time to raise up disciples as preachers/teachers.
May there be “many others” who can teach and preach the word of the Lord in our church!
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for silencing the voice of your church. May your Spirit inspire every disciple in our community to teach and preach the message about you!
“many others taught and preached the word of the Lord” The church in Antioch grew and budded – it was not just the leaders that taught. Are we too dependent on preachers and elders and teachers? Everyone can bear witness to the hope they have when they find Jesus. Lord help us to be open to sharing what knowing you means – that we know we are not lost – that death is not the end – that we can be bold in the face of struggle and persecution. We need not be anxious – yet Lord I know I often am! Help me trust you more and more – help me to help others to share and encourage them to share! Help me to be a Barnabas!
Those who are His followers share the Good News. Those who have heard are His messengers. They by their words and deeds are His messengers. We all need to proclaim that our Saviour lives. He is alive. That is what I too need to proclaim. We are all messengers of the King.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love,
Where there is injury let me sow pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
And where there is sadness, joy…