I trust that you remember your favorite teachers from your school experiences of those years of mandatory education. I can recall the many very good teachers and those who were the worst, but for the life of me I cannot recall those who were just sort of middle-of-the-road in my learning experiences. I can give you names and nick-names of each one nestled in my memory banks.

If the truth be told, the learning process always resides with the student, because we can and do learn something from everyone and each encounter. The fact is that each of us fulfills the role of teacher in many lives—like it or not. We read of the addressing of this issue in Exodus 18.19-20: ‘Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.’ Teaching is ours to do.

The role of teacher is seldom a formal one, except those within the profession, but more often than not it is a casual one. What we share with others is a clear form of instruction. Our role as Christian witnesses, however, is very specific: ‘You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.’ We must understand the need to be rightly related with God as we share with others.

And, we are to be specific in what we share—to give evidence of a right way to do all things, as over against accepted or common practice. Moses concludes: ‘Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.’ We can only impart what we actually know, no matter if in the areas of fishing, or dressmaking, or walking with God. TEACH THE TRUTH!