Why Do We Teach So Much at Church?

Colossians 1:9-12 | Why Do We Teach So Much at Church?
Each week, people file into churches to learn from Sunday school lessons, sermons, and small group discussions. Why? Are they all academics? Do they just love education? Why do we do so much teaching at church? This passage sheds some light:

 

Paul and Timothy have a shared desire so strong that it fuels ceaseless prayer. What is it? Their unceasing-prayer-inducing desire is that the recipients of this letter be filled with knowledge.

 

…and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…

Why do Paul and Timothy desire this so passionately? Because the mind feeds the heart and the heart is the well-spring of life.

 

I'll prove it to you; but first, note that Paul is writing to Christians (those who place their hope and faith in Jesus alone for acceptance with God and obey him as their Lord). Before one becomes a Christian, he has a stone heart (Ezekiel 36:26). Once a heart transplant has taken place, it is important to feed the new, soft heart well.

 

Proverbs 4:23 says Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Our words, actions, reactions, emotions, etc. flow from our hearts. Jesus teaches this as well*. What you sew into your mind germinates in your heart and blossoms into your life. Garbage in, garbage out. Scripture in, fruit of the spirit out.

 

Just look at what Paul expected knowledge to accomplish:

 

1. The ability to obey

 

2. The ability to please God

 

3. Fruitfulness

 

4. The capacity to learn more

 

5. Supernatural strength

 

6. The ability to remain sturdy and sure

 

7. Long-suffering

 

8. Gratitude

 

Because the mind feeds the heart and the heart is the well-spring of life. To put it another way, good Scriptural teaching tosses seasoned logs in the fireplace where the flame of the Holy Spirit burns hotter and hotter.

 

One quick, but vital note: prayerful dependence upon God's power must precede the teaching of God's word. Remember this whole passage began with ceaseless prayer. So must our teaching and learning at church.

 

Discussion Starters: (Read Colossians 1:9-12 first)

1. How many Dulins Grove Church attenders do you believe are new heart bearing Christians (few, half, or most)?** What are the indicators that lead you to your answer? (Matthew 7:15-27 is a good place to start)

2. Which is harder for you to control: words or emotions? Why do you think this is? (Keep Matthew 12:34-37 in mind)

3. How does Colossians 1:9-12 effect the way you think about how people change (i.e. how Christians grow in holiness, obey the Bible, and stop sinning)?

4. Read verses 10-12. Which of these benefits of knowledge do you desire most? Why?

5. What has been the most effective means of gaining knowledge in your life? In other words, what teachers, preachers, and methods of learning Scripture have been the most helpful to you that you might recommend to the others in your group?

6. Why do you think Paul wants specifically for his readers to be filled with the knowledge of His will? (Romans 12:2 might help)

7. How can your group pray for you?

 

*In Matthew 12:34 he explains that words come from the heart. In Matthew 6 he tells worried people not to worry but to consider God's provision (thanks to John Piper for pointing this out!). This connection between thinking and anxiety is seen in Philippians 4 as well. Right after encouraging his readers not to be anxious, Paul gives them a list of good things to think about (4:8). In John 8:32, Jesus explains that to be freed from slavery to sin, you need to know truth, which is Scripture (John 17:17).

**Do not name names… Unless you're talking about yourself.