I said yesterday that the closing words of New Testament letters are sometimes interpreted in a highly individualistic way. We saw then that Paul’s instructions in the verses we considered there could not be applied individualistically, and the text before us today (1 Thessalonians 5:23–28) makes a similar point. Paul writes, “I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.”
Clearly, Paul’s burden was not that only a subset of the disciples in Thessalonica be discipled but that everymember hear, receive, and obey the teaching that he offered. Godly instruction in the context of a church is vital to the wellbeing of the individual and the body. Since Paul put the leaders of the church “under oath” to see that the letter was read to “all the brothers,” he clearly considered it vital that the entire church be instructed. God’s expectation of churches has not changed.
The church is not a place that should tolerate a theological free-for-all. While we are certainly charged to receive one another without quarrelling over opinions (Romans 14:1ff), there must be room within the church for instruction. But what does this look like? How do we create an environment in a church that lends itself to godly instruction? Consider four ways to help develop a culture of instruction in a church.
First, a culture of instruction is formed by the recognition and appointment of gifted teachers. We saw yesterday the need for the church to recognise and respect its leaders. The Bible gives several qualifications for church leaders, among which is the ability to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). A church leader must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Qualified instructors are essential to a church that is prepared to be instructed in the word.
Second, a culture of instruction is formed when the church is committed to receiving instruction. We saw earlier in our time in 1 Thessalonians that the Thessalonians “received the word in much affliction” (1:6) and that, when they received it, they “accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God” (2:13). This church was eager to be instructed, so Paul was confident that they would receive the instruction that he gave to them, if indeed the leaders were committed make the instruction available, as he put them under oath to do.
Third, a culture of instruction is formed when space is given to teaching. Paul had a game plan when he entered a city. He made a beeline for the synagogue, where he knew he would have opportunity to teach. When people believed, he gathered them regularly to give instruction. In this way, the early churches gave themselves to the apostles’ teaching (see Acts 2:42). Paul ensured that he found space to do this. If he was driven from the synagogue, he would find a place where he could gather the saints for teaching (see Acts 19:9–10). While we don’t want to overburden church members, churches must set aside time for instruction if they will function as a churches in which their members are, in fact, instructed.
Fourth, a culture of instruction is formed when a clear understanding is formed as to the purpose of instruction. Biblical instruction is about more than disseminating information. Biblical information can be disseminated in a plethora of ways today: books, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. If instruction is simply about disseminating information, there are many ways as effective as the local church of doing so. But biblical instruction is about more than disseminating information. Biblical instruction is about equipping saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11–16). Biblical instruction both tells what the text says and how the saints should respond, within the context of community, to the teaching of the text.
God still expects churches to be places of instruction today, with gifted instructors, willing learners, learning opportunity, and purpose-driven instruction. As you meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 this morning, as God to help you to be a part of creating that culture in your church.