Certainly we want our teaching ministry to impact students’ lives. How much more exciting it is when they use what they have learned to teach others! Realistically, however, that ministry of multiplication won’t happen with all students. Before getting discouraged, remember that even Jesus’ teaching didn’t impact everyone in this way. Some remained in disbelief. One of His twelve closest disciples, in whom He had heavily invested, even betrayed Him.
Why Multiplication Won’t Happen with All Students
Take note of the Apostle Paul’s instruction that Timothy entrust what he heard to “reliable people” (2 Tim. 2:2). The Greek word for reliable, pistos, signifies belief, being persuaded or convinced of the truth. So, these are people whose hearts truly receive what’s been taught.
Reflect on Jesus’ parable about the different kinds of soil (Matt. 13:1-23) which represent different kinds of hearts into which we plant the seeds of God’s Word. Some hearts are so hard they can’t even receive the Word at all. Others are rocky so the seed never firmly takes root even though they appear to at first believe. Some ground is filled with thorns so though the seed may start growing, it gets choked out. A ministry of multiplication won’t happen in students with those kinds of hearts. Only a heart with good soil can bear fruit.
Implications for Bible Teachers Desirous of a Ministry of Multiplication
God alone truly knows people’s hearts. Yet, we can perceive indications of people’s spiritual condition (Ps. 27:23). We must be diligent in getting to know our students and pay attention to the whole of their lives, not just what they “say” in class.
What’s in the heart tends to come out (Prov. 4:23; Lk. 6:45) but isn’t always immediately evidenced. So, wholeheartedly teach all students and fervently pray for each one. As you observe those who truly seem to soak in God’s Word, those whom 2 Timothy 2:2 refers to as “reliable people”, further invest in them. As you entrust what you’ve learned to them, they will become “qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2) and so it multiplies.