You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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.  2 Timothy 2:1, 2

This admonition of the Apostle Paul shaped my life’s ministry – in a word, teach disciples to teach other disciples.  There are many callings in our pilgrimage of faith but one of the strongest and most urgent is this one.  I find this a compelling reminder of the importance of sharing with others what I am learning and of the task of teaching them so that they cannot only be faithful disciples themselves but so that they can teach others to teach others and so it goes.  That is God’s plan.

Of course, teaching in the Christian sense is not simply passing on information or data.  Teaching is the ability of sharing with others what we, as persons, are learning in our own pilgrimage that is meaningful to us and that might be meaningful for others.  The best teachers are those who are in the heat of the battle, learning to lean on Jesus in all situations.

Paul had no teaching curriculum to give to Timothy.  We share what we are learning.  Of course, we share the learnings of others well, but all teaching should arise out of actual life experiences, life learnings, in walking with Jesus.

In my lifetime I have taught thousands of disciples all over the world.  As I look back I praise the Lord for that fantastic door of opportunity.  I have found that is not only important to learn but to teach!  If teaching would cease, the Kingdom would be seriously weakened.

I praise God that I am called to teach.  I want to do that all my life.