The Lord Jesus Christ spent much of His time teaching others. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching” (Matthew 9:35). Especially in the Temple and in the synagogues, Jesus expounded the Old Testament Scriptures. “I sat daily with you teaching in the temple” (Matthew 26:55). “I ever taught in the synagogues and the temple (John 18:20).  The last commandment to the disciples was to “go” and “teach” (Matthew 28:20).

The Apostle Paul also was impelled to teach others. “As I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17). He clearly presented the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile “warning every man and teaching every man” (Colossians 1:28). Paul knew his calling in Christ “that by my voice I might teach others” (1 Corinthians 14:19).

In turn, Paul urged his coworkers to continue the process of teaching. “These things command and teach… these things teach and exhort” (1 Timothy 4:11; 6:2). Paul understood that his way of life must mirror the words of life that he was communicating. “And the things that thou hast heard of me… commit… to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). The effective teacher must be “fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25), “dedicated” (Romans 12:7) and “studious” (2 Timothy 2:15).

All believers are exhorted to teach by sharing what God has done for them through salvation. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another” (Colossians 3:16). To be prepared for life and service, the believer needs to be taught by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. “The Holy Comforter… the Holy Spirit… will teach you” (John 14:26).

As believers sit under the teaching of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will make the teaching practical for daily living. “Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received… the Spirit which is of God. Which things we also speak… in words… which the Holy Spirit teaches” (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). After salvation, in order to produce good works in service that will honor and glorify God; the Christian must listen and learn from the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

In order to build up the church, God grants the gift of ‘teaching” to some of His children (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11) and with this gift comes great responsibility. Rob Zapotoski, SMS Interim Director, is grateful to God for opportunities that develop to teach in the Slavic countries. These opportunities include seminars for leaders in the church, classes in the seminaries and colleges, and sharing “face to face” with believers who desire to serve the Lord in full-time service.

Pray that the SMS Interim Director, as well as the SMS missionaries who are pastors, will allow the Holy Spirit to teach them through the Word in order that they may teach others the Word. Some SMS missionaries are also given opportunities to teach classes in the seminaries and colleges, and seminars to various church groups. Please intercede before God for these missionaries that the practice of their Christian faith be consistent with the proclamation of their preaching and teaching.