The Teaching that Transforms

He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye” (Luke 6:39-42).

In the last few lessons we have seen that Jesus was preparing His disciples to transform the world. He had already exhorted them to confront and change hearts and minds by loving their enemies. Today we learn that He also expected His disciples to lead others to become disciples of Christ through the teaching of His Word… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). But Jesus prescribed a peculiar kind of teaching. He exhorted His disciples to become teachers that imitate their Teacher, apply the truths they teach to their own hearts, and rely on the power of His truth to work in the hearts of their students. Today disciple-making disciples learn about the teaching that transforms.

Transformational teaching comes from a transformed teacher. With the words “everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher“, Jesus revealed His definition of education. It is all about producing disciples that look like Jesus. Christ-like teachers are to be a living illustration of His truth that may be imitated by their students. The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to be a successful heart transforming teacher and to exhort true disciples to imitate him… “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). What an intimidating truth! But we discover the encouraging secret to becoming more like Christ in the promise He included in the Great Commission, His presence with His disciples… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to echo this important truth… “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Successful heart-transforming teachers spend much time in the presence of Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ.

Transformational teaching finds a home in a transformed heart. The study should produce a change in the heart, not just an impact on the mind. While the mind stores up information, we do not act on it unless we believe it in our heart because it is the heart that directs the course of our life… “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). That’s why Jesus taught to transform hearts, and to fill them up with the truth from God’s Word… “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Successful heart-transforming teachers help students develop a love for God’s truth in their hearts.

Transformational teaching trusts the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Because transformational teaching works on the hearts of students, the successful teacher must trust the Holy Spirit to implant God’s truth… “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). Transformational teachers are humble disciple makers who trust the Holy Spirit to teach God’s Word through them… “The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you” (1 John 2:27). Successful heart-transforming teachers rely on the Holy Spirit’s work, shaping the hearts of students as they become Christ-like disciples.

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective disciple makers as we learn to share…

The Teaching that Transforms.