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“Competence, the Result of Teaching One Another”

Thoughts for Today:

How complete is your knowledge and understanding? Want to test it? Try teaching someone. It has always been a great mystery to me that what I think I know, I find I don't know very well, when I try to teach it. Teaching is one of the most important steps to take when it comes to mastery of information because it reveals the holes in our understanding -- which aren't always apparent in our role as student only.

I do this with my daughter Amanda regularly -- we teach each other. This morning I reviewed a worksheet she had completed with a number of incorrect answers regarding the Parable of the Sower from Luke 8. I asked her to tell me the story. Then I inquired, "What do you think the seed represents?" She answered, "Us." I said, "Let's read the verses again. So what does the seed represent?" "The word of God," Amanda answered. "But Dad, I don't get how the seed can be bad and not grow. It doesn't make sense to me." I said, "Because our heart is the soil, not the seed. If we are rich and deep -- the good soil ('those with a noble and good heart') -- the seed will produce a plant. Then if we water and care for it, fruit will come. What fruit do you think we can expect in our lives from the Word of God?" Amanda thought for a minute then said, "I think that's from Galatians, right?" "Very good!" I said. Galatians 5:22-23a to be exact: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Questions to Ponder:

I am a firm believer that competency comes as a result of both testing and teaching -- not just study. Too often we find ourselves in the role of student only. Do you have a favorite Bible story? Teach it to your children or a friend. What is the lesson to be learned? How can it be applied in our lives today?

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There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.