Born to Teach: Why Your Life is a Lesson for Others
- Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
- May 25
- 3 min read
Some people absolutely love teaching. They naturally thrive in front of a whiteboard or a classroom. Others? Not so much. Many people pass up opportunities to teach because of fear, a lack of confidence, poor people skills, or just an overflowing schedule.
If that is you, let me offer some encouragement: Whether you accept it or not, you were born to teach. And I don't just mean inside a classroom—I mean in every single room you walk into.
The Universal Call to Teach
God explicitly calls parents to invest heavily in the lives of their children (Proverbs 1:8, 4:1). Jesus also commissioned all Christians to pass along the truth they have received through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). The truth is, all of us play a vital role in shaping the people around us.
Think back to your own development: teachers, parents, coaches, and mentors all left a lasting impression on who you are today (Proverbs 4:11–13). Because we are constantly being observed by others, we are constantly teaching. This is why we must take our example, our speech, and our daily Christian walk seriously. Since we are all teaching someone, we have to ask ourselves a crucial question: What exactly are we teaching?
5 Powerful Examples of Teachers in the Bible
When we look at Scripture, we find incredible examples of individuals who stepped up to teach, changing history in the process. Consider these five remarkable examples:
1. Bezalel & Aholiam: Pass on what you know
These two men were master craftsmen, gifted and called by God to teach others how to construct the tabernacle (Exodus 35:3–35).
The "What If": What would have happened if they had kept their talents to themselves? The tabernacle simply wouldn't have been completed.
The Lesson: Pass on the good things, skills, and wisdom you know.
2. Samuel: Stand up for what is right
As the last of Israel’s judges before the reign of King Saul, Samuel taught the people "the good and the right way" (1 Samuel 12:23). He was one of the last moral leaders of his era, influencing the nation through both his explicit teaching and his daily lifestyle.
The "What If": What if Samuel had refused to lead and teach? A generation of people would have been completely lost.
The Lesson: Boldly stand up for what is right.
3. Ezra: Always speak the truth
Ezra was a scribe and a priest who committed himself to two things: keeping God's Law himself, and teaching it to others (Ezra 7:10). After years of cultural sin and idolatry, Ezra used teaching to lead the people back to God, a wave of influence that was felt all the way up to the time of Christ.
The "What If": What if Ezra had chosen to keep quiet? An entire culture would have been left in the dark, starved of God's Word.
The Lesson: Speak the truth, even when it's hard.
4. Paul: Be a witness wherever you go
Perhaps the early church's most gifted teacher, the Apostle Paul taught throughout the Roman world, from the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1) to the school of Tyrannus at Ephesus (Acts 19:9).
The "What If": Think about the massive ripple effect of Paul's ministry. What if he had never shared his conversion story or taught the early churches? The world would look entirely different today.
The Lesson: Be an active witness to everyone around you.
5. Priscilla & Aquila: Encourage the next generation
This dynamic married couple took a talented, passionate young orator named Apollos under their wing and taught him the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). Just as Paul had influenced them, they passed that knowledge right along to Apollos.
The "What If": What if Priscilla and Aquila had stayed silent? Apollos may never have reached his full potential as a leader in the early church.
The Lesson: Embrace the cyclical nature of teaching—learn from others, then immediately invest in someone else.
The Ultimate Teacher
We can praise God for these remarkable individuals, but they all point to the Master Teacher: Jesus Christ. His profound insights revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and brought the good news of salvation to light (John 13:13, Ephesians 4:20–21). What if Jesus had refused to teach? And what if men like Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had never written down His words? We would be hopelessly lost.
Investing in the future of another person is one of the most praiseworthy activities you can do with your time on earth. So, what will you teach the people in your life this week? Have a great week, and happy teaching!
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds
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