Articles
Leading By Teaching
In our previous bulletin we examined how God’s word teaches us to lead by example. Example is not the only way God’s word teaches us to lead though. At times one demonstrates godly leadership by teaching. Let’s explore how we can lead by teaching in different leadership roles mentioned in the Bible.
Elders are leaders in a local congregation of God’s people. They lead by their example (1 Peter 5:3) but also by teaching. Elders are required to be, “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2, NKJV), and are to be, “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9, NKJV). Such qualifications are given because they teach us something about the sort of work expected of elders as they oversee the church of God. Elders lead by teaching sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 5:17 speaks of elders, “who labor in the word and doctrine,” teaching they are worthy of double honor or paid for the work they perform. Hebrews 13:7 seems to certainly address our attitude toward elders and perhaps other leaders as well. It says, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (NKJV). Hebrews 13:7 expects, “those who rule over you,” to be speaking, “the word of God to you.” Leadership within a local congregation of God’s people obviously involves teaching.
Parents are leaders within the home. God gives parents authority or a leadership role in the home when He commands children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20). Parents lead by their example (2 Timothy 1:5) but also lead by teaching or instruction. Lois and Eunice had done a great job in making sure Timothy from childhood knew the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15). The way to make sure our children know the Holy Scriptures is by teaching them (Deuteronomy 6:7). God commands fathers to, “not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NKJV). Parents need to lead their children in the way they should go by providing them with the proper teaching they need from God’s word.
Husbands are given a position of leadership in the home. Ephesians 5:22-24 says, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the lies be to their own husbands in everything” (NKJV). 1 Peter 3:1 also teaches wives to be submissive to their own husbands. Husbands should lead their families by their godly example. Part of the responsibility God places upon husbands in their leadership capacity though is that of teaching. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church” (NKJV). Leadership places one in a position of responsibility of leading others through one’s instruction and teaching. Let’s make sure the things we teach are sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
Jesus certainly is a wonderful example of godly leadership. Jesus possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18) and is head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). Jesus set a good example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21) but He also leads through teaching. One of the impressive things about Jesus was His skill and the manner in which He taught. Matthew 7:28-29 tells us, “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (NKJV). When people were sent to arrest Jesus, instead of arresting Him they return saying, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:32, 45-46). Jesus is a great leader and a wonderful teacher. Let’s seek to imitate His example of leadership by being the type of teachers we need to be!
