Why teach?

This week's verses are 1 Timothy 1:3-7:

  As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings, nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith. But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

These verses challenge our attitude towards sharing the Bible with one another and teaching one another. What is our goal in sharing with others? To spread knowledge? To be respected? To train others in love?

In Paul's time there were a lot of false teachers. These false teachers wanted to gather followers (and tithe money) to themselves, or to be seen as authorities on a subject, or to show everyone how much they knew. They taught in order to edify themselves. "How many followers will this get me? How much will I earn? How much fame or respect can I build for myself?"

Instead of building each other up as God's church, they were puffing themselves up with empty knowledge so they could feel important. People nowadays speculate about the end times, or memorize bits of Bible trivia that may or may not be true, or argue abstract theological constructs, because those things make them stand out as knowing something nobody else does. But not everyone tries to help others navigate life as Christians.

But Paul has a really important question here: "why talk about the Bible together if it doesn't produce something of value?" Is there going to be a Bible Quiz championship while we're assembled before God in judgment at the end of the world? Is there a cosmic leaderboard somewhere that ranks us by theological excellence? Why not instead invest in people so that they can better represent God before others?

Paul says his goal from teaching is a love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Is that our goal too?

How might we use scriptures to help someone develop a pure heart? Maybe we might discuss holiness and devotion.

How might we teach a good conscience? Maybe we might teach the law or some of Jesus' parables.

Or what about a sincere faith? We might talk about Abraham's life or some of the miracles that took place.

And what about love? How do those things produce love? Can we love someone fully with divided motives? Can we care for someone selflessly when we have a weak conscience? And can we help someone connect with God if we ourselves have weak faith?

So when we find ourselves ready to teach others or discuss the Bible, we should ask ourselves why we are doing it. What value are we producing in the other person? Are we just making more theologians and tithers, or are we leading people to God's kingdom through our words and actions?

I remember one time after college, a few of us were debating some tiny point of end times theology, and we asked a more experienced Christian friend to break the tie and tell us who was right. His answer still sticks with me: "Is it relevant to your salvation?" Some things matter, and some things don't. Endless genealogies and speculations don't.

So, when you share the Bible, try to share what matters. Teach people how to navigate life as Christians and to become more Christlike through a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. If you focus on that, I doubt you'll have time to worry about the rest.