Today we looked at our identity as people who are taught by God (see John 6:45, Isaiah 54:11-13). It’s a privilege to be called God’s people, and this gives us access to a personal relationship with God whereby we can learn directly from Him (see also Jeremiah 31:31-34).
To be taught by God is not to belittle human teachers (including our parents, family members, other believers, church pastors, apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers, who can all have a massive influence on our lives.) It is, however, the privilege of all believers to be known personally by God and to be taught in ways that are meaningful to us (since there are so many different learning styles.) Jesus Himself (known as ‘Rabbi’ or teacher) taught in different ways:
- using stories or parables (Matthew 13, Mark 4:2)
- using illustrations or examples (Luke 7:31-32)
- by having them work alongside Him, watching Him and then doing what He did (Luke 9:1-6)
- by looking at current affairs and drawing spiritual lessons from these (Luke 13:4-5)
- through questions (Luke 18:8)
- through proverbs (Luke 7:45)
- through metaphors, particularly in John’s Gospel with the ‘I am’ statements, John 9:5, John 14:6)
- through sermons and lectures (e.g. the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7, Matthew 24)
- through provocative language (e.g. calling Herod ‘that fox’ in Luke 13:32)
- through one-to-one conversation (e.g. with Nicodemus in John 3 or the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4)
Generally speaking, now He teaches us through His word (Heb 4:12, 2 Tim 3:16-17), through life’s circumstances (which often seem so contrary to us!) and through His Spirit (1 Cor 2:10-14). There are many things He teaches us, but perhaps the most important lessons involve:
- loving God and other people (Matt 22:37-40)
- trusting Him (Prov 3:5)
- following Him (Matt 4:19)
- obeying Him (Matt 7:24-27)
God is that perfect parent and teacher and so we can learn vital lessons of love, trust and obedience as you follow Him and walk with Him every single day of your lives.