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The Amish Voice 4
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58).
Note the motive for not fainting: the student shall reap in due
season. The day of reaping is coming. God is going to reward
the pupil (believer) who serves and works by the side of his
teacher.
“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these
little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a
disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose
his reward” (Mt. 10:42).
3. WHEN TO SERVE WITH A TEACHER: AS WE
HAVE OPPORTUNITY (v.10).
When is a believer to serve with his teacher? Very simply, at
every opportunity. He is to join right in and do good every
chance he can. The idea is that he is to...
stay alert to opportunity
keep his eyes open to make opportunities
rush to all opportunities
When a teacher goes to meet a need, the believer must not
miss the opportunity to join his teacher and minister with him.
No chance to minister should ever be missed. With each
missed opportunity, a believer can miss the privilege of
ministering and of being more greatly rewarded in the
glorious day of redemption. Therefore, he must stay alert and
not be weary if he wants a full reward.
Note to whom he is to minister: to all men (unbelievers), but
especially to believers. A person is responsible for his own
family first; then he adds on the burden of the world. God has
placed us all within a family, and we are the ones who are first
responsible for that family. Others may help us, but we are the
ones who are primarily responsible. The same is true with the
family of God. A Christian brother is the one who is
responsible for the family of God. Therefore, we must always
meet the needs of our Christian family before moving on out
among unbelievers.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be
great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for
he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke
6:35).
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth
it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
ILLUSTRATION:
How willing are you for His will? This is a question that
every believer must answer whenever opportunities to
minister are made available. God has provided plenty of work
to do. The key is this: be ready to serve when He opens the
door. Sometimes, that open door comes at a great personal
sacrifice:
“You are going out to die in a year or two. It is madness!”
That is what a tutor in Oxford University, England, said to a
brilliant student who was giving himself under the auspices
of a missionary society for service in Africa.
QUESTIONS:
1. How often do you skip regular times of Bible study with
your teacher? What kinds of things cause you not to
attend?
2. Do you have a role in your teacher’s ministry? Are you
fulfilling it?
3. Are you comfortable with your level of commitment to
your teacher’s ministry? What changes do you need to
make?
4. When is the best time to serve with your teacher?
5. What is the priority of ministry? Who comes first? Why?
QUESTIONS:
1. What kinds of things have you sown that will reap a bless-
ing?
2. If you sow bad things, can you expect to reap life? Explain
your answer.
3. What would cause some Christians to look for a blessing
after they have knowingly sown to their flesh?
4. What kinds of things do you need to do in order to firm up
your commitment to your teacher’s ministry?
SUMMARY:
Contrary to popular belief, your teacher is not required by God
to do all the work of the ministry. He or she is called to equip
other believers for the work of the ministry. The responsibili-
ties of the student are clearly outlined:
1. How to do good to a teacher: by sharing in the ministry
of the teacher.
2. Why do good to a teacher.
3. When to serve with a teacher: as we have opportunity.