Introduction to teaching and learning:

A case study of awise effective Christian teacher

Paulpart 2

Prepared by A. Gibson 2012

Wise teaching is reciprocal and responsive with right relationships with learners Vs 1:9-11

Epaphras … ‘declared unto us your love in the Spirit.’

The relationship between teachers and learners is important but vulnerable. The power between teacher and learner must be managed in a godly, professional manner, not exploited or abused.

‘…For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire • that you might be filled with the knowledge

of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…

• that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, (not to please the teacher)

• being fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God (life-long learning)

• Strengthened…according to his glorious power, (God’s power is ‘empowering’)

Paul, also emphasizes high expectations (filled… all… every), moral-values (patience, longsuffering with joyfulness) and being real with his learners… (not entertainment or prosperity but being resolute, the fruit of the Spirit).

Why are these three things important to

‘Christian teaching/learning?

As a wise teacher Paul was concise, coherent and centred on God the Father and his Son.

‘Giving thanks unto the Father, who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light

…who has delivered us from the power of darkness,…

… and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son…

… in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ Colossians 1:12-14 KJV

Daily, personal, family and societal circumstances wax and wane… we need to be reminded to ‘set our affection on things above’ (Col 3:2) to see our lives in the light of God and his promises…

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Thinking questions: As a wise and effective teacher Paul knows who he is teaching (as best as he can from prison) what and why he is teaching, and

how to teach. Why do you think these aspects of teaching are so inter-related?

What might happen if one is strong and the other areas weak?

Wise and effective teaching provides challenging and meaningful learning – concepts that need further research and reflection. vs 1:15-20.

• ‘Who is the image of the invisible God.’

Man was created in the image of God but that image became marred by sin. Christ is the image bearer and image restorer for those who believe (1 Corinthians 15:47-49). He is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person…’ See Hebrews 1:3. He was God (John 1:1) and was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 KJV).

• ‘… the firstborn of every creature’. Firstborn or first begotten from the dead verse 18 compare with Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7; and Revelation 1:5. As such the firstborn has the birth right to inherit all that pertains to the Father. See Romans 8:17.

Audio sermon available via http://blb-ra.blueletterbible.org/stedman_ray/Col/4021.mp3

Something to ponder: Difficult passages of scripture need to be carefully considered and compared with

other spiritual teachings (John 5:39; 1 Corinthians 2:13). Jesus as ‘the firstborn of every creature’ has been used by various

cults to falsely teach that Jesus is a created being. Verse 15 does not say he was

created in the image of God neither does it say he was created as firstborn. I believe it is emphasizing his pre-eminent place in

creation as first born from the dead.

Teaching in all wisdom affirms ‘creation’ not evolution. Verses 1:16-17

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him…

… he is before all things and by him all things consist.’

Humanism and naturalism are not wise. ‘Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.’ Colossians 2:8.

All of creation consists in the way it does and is held together or upheld (Hebrews 1:3)by the Lord Jesus and the word of his power. The Lord Jesus is the one by whom God made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2).

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Some things to ponder: As creator Jesus had to pre-exist before his incarnation- he is from everlasting (Micah 5:2 KJV; Isaiah

9:6; Hebrews 7:3).Can you give examples of Jesus in

the gospels of the N. T., demonstrating his creator-power?

Teaching in all wisdom acknowledges Christ as the head of the church Verses 1:18-19

‘… he is the head of the body, the church…’

Sectarianism is not wise (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

He is the first raised to life incorruptible and eternal, he is the resurrection and the life (John 14:6)… there is no other saviour. ‘For there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12) As such he should have the ‘… pre-eminence in all things.’

‘… for it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.’ (KJV)

Some things to ponder:Colossians 2:9-10 ‘For in him dwells all

the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in him…’ What does

this mean to you?Can a church or gathering of Christians meet in a home? Why do people call their church Saint ______ church?

Wise Christian teaching acknowledges the transformational work of Christ.Verses 1:20-22

‘Peace by the cross…’

‘You who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled…

… in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.’

A wise teacher occasionally exhorts the learner and takes a position of servant‘If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope

of the gospel… whereof I Paul am made a minister.’ vs 1:23 What does the word minister mean? The Greek word is diakonos. See above.

A wise Christian educator speaks out of the authentic self. ‘Suffering’ for Christ is normative.Verses 1:24

‘Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you…’

This epistle is recognised as one of the prison epistles, letters that Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome. The others are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon.

We teach out of all of who we are, whose we are, where we have been, where we are at now and our hope for the future.

See Colossians 4: 18‘The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds…’

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Thinking question:Why does God allow his servants to suffer?

Can you think of other examples of people in the Bible who endured suffering? Have a

look at Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Peter 2:21. What does suffering for Christ mean in your context?

Wise Christian teaching requires sound biblical literacy.Verses 1:26-26

Paul understood the mystery ‘…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’

That Christ, the Messiah to Israel should also dwell in Gentiles is testimony to the ‘riches of this glory’…

A hidden mystery from time past…

Cross reference with Galatians 3:26-29‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’

‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live

by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’

Galatians 2:20Discuss what this means for you as a

teacher and the way you view the children you teach?

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Finally… A teacher, teaching in all wisdom Verses 1:28-29

• uses a repertoire of teaching approaches,

‘Whom we preach…warning every man… and teaching every man in all wisdom.

I believe Christian education requires at least all three approaches… in order to convict, exhort and help grow disciples of God who is holy. • has a vision for teaching and the

learning outcomes, ‘That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.’ (The ultimate goal for wise Christian teachers).

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Wise Christian teachers recognise it’s hard work but… there is help ‘… I also labour according to his working, which works in me mightily.’

Let’s recapThe wise teacher’s view of himself and a sense of calling to the profession…The wise teacher’s manner of addressing his learners…The wise teacher’s response to student learning achievement…The wise teacher’s source of motivationFruitful teachingWise teachers give credit where credit is due to other teachers.

High expectations, moral-values and being real Wise teaching involves reciprocal, responsive and right relationships with learners Wise teachers provide challenging and meaningful learning.Concise, coherent and centred on God the Father and his Son.Illuminates the pre-eminence of the person and work of Christ Christians teaching in all wisdom affirms ‘creation’ not evolution.

Acknowledges Christ as the head of the church Wise Christian teaching affirms the transformational work of Christ.Exhorts learners and takes a position as ‘servant’.A wise Christian educator speaks out the authentic selfWise teaching has sound biblical literacy.

Uses a repertoire of teaching approachesHas a vision for teaching and the learning outcomesRecognizes it’s hard work but…