What's God Been Teaching You This Week?

132 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Timothy is holding the fort so to speak until Paul is able to come to him. Kind of what the church and it's pastors are to do until Jesus comes! Hold the fort! Timothy, (and we) are given three areas in which to give out attention to. Last on this short list is “doctrine.” The word simply means “instruction.” First and foremost in the matter of doctrine is that “doctrine that is according to godliness.” This doctrine is found in 1 Tim 3:16 and we have covered it extensively in previous prime time devos. This doctrine of Christ is summed up nicely in the creeds of the early church and in the creeds we use today. (The Apostles, the Nicene, and the Athanasian) Instructing the saints on these basic teachings is a great way to combat false teachings that rise up about Jesus. Of course the Word of God contains even more instruction for the saints, as it says in 2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Further every believer has been gifted with the indwelling of the perfect teacher the Holy Spirit: Joh 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” It is good to ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read God's Word, and it is good to share what you learn from Him with others. One of my favorite ways to start out a group Bible study is to ask the simple question, “What has God been teaching you this week?” This communal sharing of God's Word is pleasing to Him as we read in Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. My brothers and sisters, give attention to times of mutual instruction!