Finding The Right Teacher

Finding the Right Teacher

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

I love history. My favorite trips have been to places where there is a profound connection to ancient history, like Israel or Greece. Similarly, I love to read biographies of people like Teddy Roosevelt or Winston Churchill because of what their stories reveal about the past.

But don’t count on me when it comes to solving math problems. That’s just not my thing, which is why I can relate to Pastor Jim Cymbala’s self-described struggles. “I took geometry,” he says, “during my sophomore year in high school, and for the life of me, no matter what that teacher said, I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t know an isosceles triangle from a bagel with cream cheese. None of it made sense. Then about two months into the semester, the teacher got sick and a new teacher replaced him. Under her tutelage, suddenly, the light went on for me. For the first time, I understood triangles, angles, and parabolas. (Well, maybe not the parabolas.) I had to give credit for my newfound understanding to the new teacher. It was the way she explained things that helped me understand geometry.”

Cymbala goes on to say we need the best possible Teacher when it comes to reading Scripture and applying it to our lives. This means that whatever our bent, whether we love reading this ancient book or not, we all need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who makes Scripture come to life so we can understand and apply it.

As Paul says, Scripture “corrects us when we are wrong,” which is another way of saying it brings us to a place where we can experience more of God’s peace.

Lord, I want to read your Word with understanding, applying it to my life in the ways you want me to. Help me to make space in my life to read the Bible daily. As I do, send me your Spirit to guide me into the truth.