Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. ~ 2 Timothy 1:13-14
What is sound teaching?
I've been a part of many different congregations in my lifetime, with all different levels of Christian Education or Faith Formation. And teaching is important.
What we learn about God and our faith is important.
But I've also seen how sometimes what we learn can be lost in minutia. It can become an intellectual exercise that sometimes seems to be an end unto itself.
And while the WHAT that is being taught is important and even sound, the WHY might get lost in the shuffle.
Here we learn what the "why" is.
The faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
WHY we learn is because of faith and love centered in Christ.
Teaching without faith and love is missing the point.
And honestly, that's sometimes hard for me to remember. Hard because I love intellectual stimulation. I love learning new things just for the sake of it.
Learning about "sound" theology has always excited me.
But that sound theology is more than just doctrine or dogma or correct thinking.
If it is sound, it is bound up in the faith and love of Christ.
And that is a treasure: that we have a God who can both tickle our brains AND our hearts.
Lord, in all I teach and learn, help to faithfully seek your love first before all else. Amen