LOL - Living Our Legacy (Part 8)

LOL - Living Our Legacy (Part 8)

(To see other posts in this series, click Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7)

Here's another gift for our housewarming party.  The gift of TEACHING. Live a legacy of teaching. From the time we build our house until the day we leave this world, we should live our lives teaching others.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Every day you encounter someone, you are teaching something...in some way. Maybe it's in the way you respond to the checker at the grocery store. Maybe it's how you conduct yourself when your boss or co-worker criticizes you. Maybe its how you respond to a family member. Someone is learning something from your attitudes, your actions, and your words.

But in our spiritual homes, we must be teaching about Jesus. We must be showing Jesus to others.

Let's talk about teaching others for a moment – outside of the home. Many believe they can not teach or that they don't have the talent to teach. Nowadays, with the Internet, there are so many free ideas about how to teach children and teens. But, maybe you don't feel comfortable teaching. The only way you will get over that uncomfortable feeling is to just do it. Get out of your comfort zone. Start out in a little kid's Bible class. Start with a children's beginner's Bible and learn the stories you may not be comfortable with or maybe even know.

What if you want to teach a ladies' class? How do you start? First, pick out a book that interests you. If you don't like the topics or theme – you won't enjoy teaching it. Read the lesson. Does the book teach truth? Some may not. You can still get ideas and lessons for it, but you need to know the truth so, be sure to read the scriptures and make sure it's truth.  As you study in this way, you are learning, yourself, but will also be able to teach what you've learned to others. Write down some thoughts of your own. Maybe even search the Internet for other lessons – even sermons – about that same topic. Sermons make great lessons!

In a ladies' class, it's great to get the ladies to talking. So ask them questions! Be a moderator, where you just get the topics started and let the ladies discuss the topics.  Ladies seldom have trouble talking (do we???) Use the Bible study time as a time to learn more about your Christian sisters and become closer. Of course, you need to know the material you are teaching, but don't be scared of not knowing something either. Many times the teacher learns just as much as the students.  I know I always do!

The Bible is the best teaching tool you have to teach others.

Books can be helpers, but the Bible is the only true source of what is true and right. Don't neglect it or put it above other books you may use. Remember that the Bible is inspired by God. Books are written by uninspired men and women.

Being remembered for teaching others would be a great legacy, wouldn't it? And there are so many ways to teach others.

In teaching others, don't neglect those in your own home – your own family. If we fail to teach those who are directly in our care, we've failed.

Right now, my children are my most important students. It's fine to come teach you all and share with you about Jesus. But, if I neglect the four precious young souls in my care right now – I'm going to be held accountable for that.

Grandmothers – be sure to teach your grandchildren. You may be the most influential person in the life/lives of your grandchildren. I know that my grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life as a Christian. I wanted to live up to her standard – not just to please her – but to be like her as one of God's servants.
Use every day life to teach your children.  Use the Bible as a huge part of your every day life.  Life's lessons learned through comparing them to God's Word is the very best way to teach your children about what is right (acceptable in God's eyes) and what is wrong (what is sinful in God's eyes). 

Let the Bible be your instruction book and your self-help book when teaching others!

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children."

Deuteronomy 4:9-10

Live a legacy of teaching.