The Church Is To Teach One Another

When we think of a teaching church, we normally think of the preaching in corporate worship and/or the teaching on our Sunday School classes or small group Bible studies. While all of these are important elements in a church, there is one that seems to be neglected and that is teaching one another. The Apostle Paul wrote:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16)

This verse was written to a church, not one individual. The church is to teach one another. How can a church do that? Look at the beginning of Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." The "you" is plural in the verse. Yes, the word is to dwell within each individual Christian, but it is suppose to dwell within a church body.

We teach each other the word of Christ, the gospel, through exhortation, rebuke, and even in counseling one another. We can also teach through the songs we sing, which is why a church need to discern the theology of the songs they sing. Worship leaders need to really think about the songs they lead.

To teach one another does not require a master's degree or for you to be a skilled theologian. It requires the word of Christ. It also requires thankfulness as the end of Colossians 3:16 tells us. Teaching one another does not require the pastor or elders at all times, it requires the body having the word of Christ dwell with them no matter where the location is. You can have lunch after church and the teach one another.

It is the duty of the whole church to teach one another with the word of Christ.