How the Teacher Teaches the Teacher

God is portrayed throughout the Bible as the ultimate teacher, and we, as His followers, are called to mirror His teaching style. The foundation of all teaching comes from reverence for God, as seen in Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." The word for "fear" in Hebrew, yare (יָרֵא), suggests awe or deep respect. This kind of reverence goes beyond simply knowing about God; it involves humbling ourselves before Him, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours. To truly teach others, we must first have a reverence for God and recognize His wisdom as the foundation. When we teach, it should come from a place of awe and respect for God's ways, not simply from rote knowledge. This idea is echoed in Psalm 111:10, where it says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding." Teaching rooted in God’s wisdom carries a depth that cannot be acquired by human effort alone.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." The Greek word for "learn" (manthano) implies an active process, not just passive reception. Learning from Jesus is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing relationship. Jesus exemplified how we should teach—through His actions, humility, and patience. God teaches us by demonstrating gentleness and humility. When we teach, we are called to guide others with the same gentle heart, helping them to rest in God’s truth. His teaching style was not about coercion, but about inviting others to His ways and offering a path to peace. Jesus' invitation to "learn from me" challenges us to reflect His character in the way we guide others.

God also gives clear instructions on how we should teach others. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we read, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." The Hebrew word for “impress” is shanun (שָׁנוּן), meaning to sharpen, suggesting that teaching should be intentional, consistent, and sharp—like a well-honed tool. Teaching isn't a one-time event but an ongoing process. It should be part of everyday life, not limited to formal lessons (rote), but woven into the fabric of our conversations and actions. In this way, teaching should become a natural part of daily living, demonstrating God’s wisdom in all aspects of life. This idea also aligns with the New Testament instruction to teach “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2), showing that teaching is not limited to specific moments but is meant to permeate every moment of life.

The teacher of Israel, Moses, exemplified the importance of teaching through example and the passing down of wisdom. Moses, having received God’s law, entrusted it to Joshua, who was then responsible for leading the people into the Promised Land. This mentoring process is seen in the relationship between Moses and Joshua. Moses took the time to teach and prepare Joshua to be the next leader, demonstrating that teaching goes beyond the individual and reaches into future generations. In the same way, Paul mentored Timothy, emphasizing the responsibility of passing on teaching to others. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." The Greek word for "entrust" (paradidomi) means to pass on or share responsibility. Teaching involves handing down what we have learned to others so they can continue the work. It’s a generational process: we receive wisdom, and then we pass it on, entrusting others to do the same. Through this, we see that one of the roles of a teacher is not only to educate but to raise up other teachers who can continue the cycle.

God's Word is central to teaching. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." The Hebrew word for "lamp" (margéa) refers to a portable light, suggesting that God’s Word is a constant guide, always with us. To teach effectively, we must first be guided by the Scriptures, walking in their light. The Scriptures are described as "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12), and through them, we are equipped to teach others. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Greek word for "useful" (ophelimos) means beneficial or advantageous. Scripture is our ultimate teaching tool, guiding us not just in knowledge but in action, correction, and preparation for doing good works. It is through engaging with God’s Word that teachers grow in wisdom and understanding, and through this same Word, we can effectively teach others.

Jesus, as the ultimate teacher, didn’t just teach with words but through His actions. In John 13:13-15, Jesus says, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." The Greek word for "example" (typos) means a model or pattern. Jesus showed that teaching is not just about words; it’s about living out what you teach. We are called to lead by example, serving others with humility and love. It’s not enough to teach about humility; we must demonstrate it in our actions. Our lives should reflect the truth we share.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also emphasized teaching by example. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Paul modeled his teachings in a way that invited others to see Christ through his life, making him not just a teacher of doctrine but a teacher of character. Similarly, in the book of Titus, Paul speaks to Titus about teaching others by showing them how to live in a manner that reflects the gospel. In Titus 2:7-8, Paul encourages, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned." The integrity of a teacher is just as important as the content being taught.

When we teach, we should follow God's example: being rooted in His Word, teaching with humility, leading by example, and entrusting others to continue the cycle. God’s teaching methods involve more than passing on information; they are about transforming hearts, helping others grow in wisdom and understanding of His truth. The heart of teaching, then, is not simply knowledge transfer but a process of guidance, correction, and love, as we share the wisdom God has given us. True teaching leads to transformation, and as we pass on the knowledge and wisdom God has given us, we contribute to the spiritual growth of others. It is a continuous process of planting seeds, nurturing growth, and reaping a harvest of lives transformed by God's truth.

Although I have studied the Bible so many times over the past 60 years, I STILL don't remember ALL the "where it is" of the verses, nor do I remember all the translations of words. If someone were to ask me, I would have to get my book... so "rote memory" doesn't always work. I have come to realize that my memory isn't always perfect, and I am okay with that. The reality is that even after decades of immersing myself in Scripture, it’s not always possible to keep every verse or translation at the forefront of my mind. At times, when I’m having a conversation about the Bible, I may have the general idea or the message of a passage, but recalling the exact chapter and verse is sometimes elusive. When I am asked about something specific, instead of trying to pull it from my own memory, I would much rather keep the books with me, and be able to show, than risk embarrassing myself by quoting something incorrectly or relying on a half-remembered verse.

It’s not that I don’t value memorization—on the contrary, I believe there is great value in knowing Scripture deeply. However, I’ve learned over the years that the truth of God’s Word is not dependent on perfect recall. What matters is the life-changing power of the message, not how accurately we can quote a verse. Often, in the journey of teaching or sharing with others, it’s not about impressing someone with how much we know, but about pointing them toward the truth and letting God’s Word speak for itself. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of being able to open the Bible, find the verse, and share it with others in context. There’s a humbling joy in knowing that we don’t have to have it all memorized or perfectly understood in order to be faithful in sharing it. I’d rather admit, "Let me find that for you," than give a shaky reference or misquote something in an effort to appear knowledgeable. This way, the focus stays on God’s Word, not on me.

In the end, God’s truth isn’t diminished by human limitations. Even in my imperfections, the Bible remains a source of wisdom, and God’s Spirit continues to guide and teach me. Over the years, I’ve realized that the essence of teaching isn’t in the flawless recitation of verses, but in the authenticity with which we live out the truths we’ve learned. My greatest desire is to point people to Christ and show them the love, grace, and truth that He has revealed to me, even if I have to consult my Bible to get the verse right!

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025