Many of us who teach have seen modeled, even been taught that our responsibility is to prepare and teach. We take pride in stepping before our audience (whether that be a small group or a mega-church) to “proclaim.” I must confess, throughout my years as a pastor/teacher/communicator I often left/leave the event wondering if I have done well. Oftentimes my talks are well-received, even spoken well of (at least by those who wanted a word with me after the sermon, the ones who didn’t like it, probably a majority of those in the room, avoided the conversation). I hear statements like, “Thanks for giving us a chance to laugh today.” or “I sure am proud to have someone in our pulpit who is authentic and honest about their own journey.” or “Thanks for giving me a pick-me-up. I can make it through the week now.”
I long for so much more. I long for people to know that God’s hand was on me and that they were hearing from Him. Ezra 9b – 10 should sound an alarm for all of us who lead a Bible study or preach sermons. It says of Ezra, “…the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
Oftentimes I am at fault. I devote myself to study and I teach what is in God’s Word, but I have not lived out what I am about to teach, “observance” was overlooked.
If we’re going to be teachers who have God’s gracious hand on us when we teach it seems we must 1) devote ourselves to studying God’s Word, 2) be living what we’ve learned, and then 3) teach.
In so doing, we are never hypocritical, always aware of the possible outcomes, and have dynamite and real illustrations to tell as we teach.