It is inter
esting to study the giving of the laws at Mount Sinai and to take note of how many times God commanded the people to teach these laws to the next generation. God distinctly told the people to “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” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Only a few chapters later the Lord again stresses to the people, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates” (6:6-9).
Why was this so important to the Lord, and did the people follow God’s commands? Sadly, we read that at the time of the judges only a few Israelites still knew who the Lord was: “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Author Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis writes: “How long does it take to lose a culture, from a Christian perspective? It takes only one generation. The devil knows this, and of course God warns us about it. Over and over again in Scripture, God instructs His people to make sure they train up the next generation.”
God has placed a tremendous responsibility on Christian parents. Proverbs tells us to “train a child in the way he should go” (22:6). That means parents should become bold, thorough, and persistent teachers within their own homes. Yet many parents feel awkward and unqualified for such a job. After all, few have been trained in the profession of teaching. Where can they go for guidance?
The book of Acts tells us of a well-educated Alexandrian Jew who offers us a good example of what it means to be a teacher. He was an orator and later became an apostle. Martin Luther speculated that he may have been the author of the book of Hebrews. When we first meet Apollos he is sorely in need of tutoring by Aquila and Priscilla who “invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26).
As we read the account of Apollos, we gather some wonderful insights into what makes a great teacher. Consider these comments by Luke:
- “He was a learned man, with thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.” (18:24; Apollos studied Scripture and knew it before he taught it!)
- “He spoke with great fervor.” (18:25; Apollos kept his listeners’ attention!)
- He “taught about Jesus accurately.” (18:25; Apollos knew his subject matter!)
- “He began to speak boldly.” (18:26; he taught with conviction!)
- “He vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate.” (18:28; he was action oriented and stood up for his beliefs.)
- “Proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” (18:28; he knew the basis for his beliefs!)
Apollos’ teaching became so influential that the Corinthians often preferred his teaching to that of Paul. Here was a man who took teaching seriously, just as we should. Hopefully one day Christian parents everywhere will rejoice and proclaim, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
Lord, let me be a faithful student, always anxious to learn more about your marvelous ways. Amen.
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