– (didasko) teach
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
This one of those “and” instances paired with the phrase “one another” We have previously covered the word “admonish” as we discussed instructing or cautioning one another. Now let’s take a look at how we can teach each other.
Are we not constantly learning from each other? The power of observing a good model should never be underestimated. People do watch you! When you are extraordinary things in the Christian community, folks notice.
I use the following story to point out how we are so different from each other. It illustrates how we are uniquely driven to respond to the needs we see around us.
You are in a crowded church fellowship hall for a evening meal. You are sitting around a table with several friends and you notice that one of volunteer servers is brand new and is having a rough time.
The new server comes out of the kitchen with a huge tray filled with four or five full plates. You hear the crashing sound of dishes and see food flying everywhere. He had tripped over something and went crashing to the ground.
What happens next?
One person jumps up to comfort the server.
One goes down on the floor to immediately start picking up broken dishes.
Another stands up and gives orders, “Tell the kitchen they need another tray of food. Somebody get a mop! Is anyone hurt?”
Still another goes into the kitchen to find out who overloaded the new volunteer with more than he could handle.
And someone also prays! Yes, prays!
We need each other. I need you to be you and you need me to be me. Does that sound too simplistic? Well, it’s true. At some point, in life’s unexpected moments, we all become teachers. At other times, we are learners.
I’m positive there is something I need to learn from you. Will you teach me?
Prayer: God, I may not see myself as a teacher but I know you have taught me some amazing lessons along the way. Help me to simply pass on those valuable truths to others. It may help them as well.