I taught for ten years at our local university. And if you’ve ever taught a class, you may agree that there is a need, or even a responsibility, to become an expert on your subject. You may have endeavored to have an elevated grasp on the material, even beyond what might be necessary, so that you can accurately and thoroughly teach what you’ve prepared. But what does in mean to be an “expert”? How much training does one have to have before they can be considered an authority on a subject? Does one have to earn a degree or certification to prove their expertise? I’m sure a degree helps, but I would suggest that anyone can become an expert on a topic by basically teaching themselves. This can be true for anything; from building your own recording studio, to discipling others in the way of the Lord. Apollos, a Jewish believer mentioned in the book of Acts, knew this to be true because it says in chapter 18, verses 24 and 25:
“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.”
Apollos may have been instructed by other theologians, or he may have only been instructed by the Holy Spirit. But I wanted to mention his story to highlight the truth that you don’t have to earn a doctorate in theology to teach others about the scriptures. You don’t have to be a pastor of a congregation to lead others to Christ. Just like you don’t have to be a master carpenter and electrician to build your own recording studio. I have a friend who taught himself how to build his recording studio by watching YouTube videos and volunteering as a sound technician at our church. He didn’t have a degree. He only had the drive. And that was enough to motivate him to become an expert in what it takes to build a studio. Now he records albums for music artists across the region. The same idea can be applied to the scriptures. I’m not suggesting that by watching YouTube videos someone can become an expert on the Bible. But you, and I, can study the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us so that we can share what we’ve learned with others. I pray that God will give you, and me, the passion that Apollos had for the word of God. It says that he had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, and as a result, he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately. Let us do the same.
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I know of several individuals who have never taken a college course in Christianity, theology, or public speaking, yet they are teaching the scriptures with authority. And I know there are scores more around our country and the globe who are doing the same. This isn’t to say that there isn’t a place for institutional learning. As a matter of fact, that is a huge benefit. But God has called us all to make disciples. And to do that we need to understand his word; we need to be Holy Spirit taught so that like Apollos, we can teach about Jesus accurately. You don’t have to be a pastor to teach and disciple others. You can do it, and I can do it. I would encourage you to become a scholar of the Bible. I encourage you not only to read the Bible, but to study it. Allow the Holy Spirit to educate you and lead you in what to say as you share about him to others.
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