Who Is Your Teacher – MEDIA LIBRARY

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Sermon Notes: Who Is Your Teacher?

Summary

This video introduces a new series titled “Rabbi,” which aims to explore the identity of Jesus, particularly in his role as a teacher or “Rabbi.” The message emphasizes that understanding Jesus as more than just a savior, but also as Lord and Master, is crucial for true faith. It highlights the distinction between simply accepting salvation and actively becoming a disciple, a process of being taught and shaped by Jesus himself. This discipleship, unlike the world’s focus on ethical self-improvement, is presented as a journey of becoming who one already is in Christ. The core idea is that through following Jesus, believers learn how to live out their true identity as his followers. The video draws a parallel between the disciples of ancient Jewish rabbis and the followers of Jesus, emphasizing the total immersion and commitment expected. Just as a disciple would stay close to their rabbi, listening intently to their teachings and documenting them meticulously, so too should followers of Jesus prioritize his words and allow them to shape their lives. This intensive, personal education system underscores the importance of Jesus as the ultimate teacher, guiding his disciples into a deeper understanding of God’s truth and their own potential in Him. The series intends to delve into some of Jesus’ more challenging teachings to foster a deeper engagement with his wisdom and authority.

The message further elaborates on the concept of following, asserting that everyone inherently follows someone or something, whether consciously or unconsciously. In contemporary society, the rise of social media influencers highlights this innate human tendency to be guided by others. While acknowledging the potential for misuse of influence, the video underscores the importance of discerning who or what holds sway in one’s life. It encourages self-reflection on the sources of influence and whether they align with Christian values. A personal anecdote about parental guidelines on social media followers serves to illustrate the intentionality required in choosing one’s guides. The standard presented is to follow those who themselves follow Christ, emphasizing the importance of aligning oneself with godly influences. Ultimately, the question posed is who has the prevailing voice of teaching and the final authority in one’s life, advocating for God and the teachings of Jesus to hold that supreme position. Choosing to be a disciple of Jesus means consciously submitting to his authority and allowing his word to be the ultimate guide in all aspects of life. This conscious decision is framed as an opportunity to move beyond self-reliance and embrace God’s superior wisdom.

The second key point emphasizes the necessity of being a learner to become a disciple. This requires humility, a willingness to set aside one’s own preconceived notions and knowledge to embrace the teachings of Jesus. The video poses a direct question: are you a learner? Do you approach life with a teachable spirit, open to what Jesus wants to cultivate within you? Drawing on the analogy of disciples of ancient rabbis, it explains that a teachable spirit involves putting down one’s own “books” of knowledge and understanding to absorb the rabbi’s teachings. This signifies a posture of receptivity and a recognition that Jesus, as the ultimate Rabbi, possesses unparalleled wisdom. The willingness to learn necessitates a humble acknowledgment that there is always more to understand and that Jesus is the primary source of truth and knowledge. An example from the speaker’s early career illustrates the contrast between ambition and the need for a teachable spirit, suggesting that true growth and opportunity are best realized when approached with humility and a willingness to learn from others, especially from the ultimate teacher, Jesus. This openness to learning is foundational to the discipleship journey, enabling believers to continually grow and become more effective in their faith.

In conclusion, the introduction to the “Rabbi” series lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus not just as a savior, but as the ultimate teacher whose life and words provide the model for discipleship. The message underscores the importance of recognizing who we follow and consciously choosing Jesus as the primary influence and authority in our lives. This commitment requires a teachable spirit, a willingness to learn and grow by setting aside our own understanding to embrace his. The analogy of the ancient rabbi and his disciples serves to illustrate the depth of commitment and immersion that following Jesus entails. Ultimately, the series aims to guide believers in becoming true disciples, reflecting the image of Christ by learning from him and allowing his teachings to shape every aspect of their lives. The call to follow the Master is an invitation to a transformative journey of becoming who we already are in Christ through the continuous learning and application of his wisdom.

Quote: “God wants to put something into your life today to put something into the soil of your heart today so that you would grow you would get better that you would um become more like Jesus which is ultimately the goal for every single one of us as Believers in Christ.”

Key Scriptures

Luke 5:1-11: This passage recounts the calling of Jesus’ first disciples, Peter, James, and John, after a miraculous catch of fish, illustrating their initial encounter with Jesus’ authority and their subsequent decision to leave everything and follow him. View NIV Version
John 9:1: This verse sets the scene for a story where Jesus encounters a man blind from birth, and his disciples refer to Jesus as “Rabbi” when questioning him about the cause of the man’s blindness. View NIV Version
Mark 10:51: In this verse, a blind man calls out to Jesus as “Rabbi,” asking to regain his sight, highlighting the recognition of Jesus as a teacher with the power to heal. View NIV Version
John 14:6: Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” emphasizing his unique role as the ultimate source of truth and the path to God. View NIV Version

Key Takeaways

The new series “Rabbi” will focus on Jesus as a teacher and master.
True faith involves not only accepting Jesus as Savior but also following him as Lord.
Discipleship is a process of becoming who you already are in Christ through learning from Jesus.
In Jesus’ earthly ministry, he was recognized and operated as a Jewish Rabbi.
“Rabbi” means teacher or master, someone with expertise in the law and profound insight.
Following a rabbi in ancient Jewish culture was a lifelong commitment of learning and immersion.
Everyone follows someone or something, and it’s crucial to discern who or what influences you.
As Christians, God and Jesus should have the final authority and be the greatest source of truth.
Becoming a disciple requires being a learner with a teachable spirit and humility.
A teachable spirit involves being willing to set aside one’s own knowledge to learn from Jesus.

Questions To Consider

Reflect on who or what currently holds the most significant influence in your life. How does this align with your desire to follow Jesus?
In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to adopt a teachable spirit and set aside your own understanding?
Consider the distinction between accepting Jesus as Savior and actively living as his disciple. How can you move deeper into discipleship?
How can you practically immerse yourself in the teachings of Jesus in a way that resembles the commitment of a talmid to their rabbi?
What “hard sayings” of Jesus challenge you the most, and how can you approach them with a willingness to learn and understand?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before you today with a desire to not only know you as my Savior but also to follow you as my Rabbi, my Teacher, and my Lord. Help me to cultivate a truly teachable spirit, one that is humble and willing to set aside my own understanding to fully embrace your wisdom and truth. Just as the disciples of old followed their rabbis with deep commitment, I pray for the grace to immerse myself in your teachings and to allow them to shape every aspect of my life. Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. I ask for your guidance to become more like you, to grow in your likeness, and to live out the identity I have in you. May your word be the ultimate authority in my life, influencing how I see the world and how I interact with it. Help me to discern the voices I allow to influence me, aligning myself with those who follow you. Grant me the strength and the wisdom to not just hear your words, but to put them into practice, becoming a true disciple, a talmid who follows closely in your footsteps. Amen.

Action Steps

1: Reflect on Your Influences

Task 1: Identify Your Key Influences

Step 1: Make a list of the people, media, and philosophies that significantly impact your thoughts, decisions, and actions.
Step 2: For each item on your list, consider what values or beliefs they promote.
Step 3: Evaluate whether these values and beliefs align with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Task 2: Prioritize God’s Influence

Step 1: Commit to spending dedicated time in prayer and Bible study each day.
Step 2: Seek out Christian resources (books, podcasts, sermons) that deepen your understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
Step 3: Consciously make decisions based on biblical principles rather than solely on personal feelings or worldly advice.

2: Cultivate a Teachable Spirit

Task 1: Approach Learning with Humility

Step 1: Recognize that you don’t have all the answers and that there is always more to learn from God’s word.
Step 2: Be open to new perspectives and interpretations of scripture, while always grounding them in sound doctrine.
Step 3: When encountering challenging teachings, approach them with a desire to understand rather than immediate dismissal.

Task 2: Actively Seek Understanding

Step 1: Take notes during sermons or Bible studies.
Step 2: Ask questions when you don’t understand something.
Step 3: Reflect on what you’ve learned and how it applies to your life.

Task 3: Put Knowledge into Practice

Step 1: Identify one key insight from your Bible study or reflection.
Step 2: Determine a specific, actionable way to apply that insight in your daily life.
Step 3: Review your progress and make adjustments as needed.

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Conclusion

This study guide has explored the introduction to the “Rabbi” series, emphasizing the crucial understanding of Jesus not only as Savior but also as the ultimate Teacher and Lord. We’ve highlighted the significance of discipleship as a journey of becoming who we are in Christ through continuous learning and immersion in his teachings, drawing parallels with the deep commitment of ancient talmidim to their rabbis. Recognizing and prioritizing godly influences, while cultivating a humble and teachable spirit, are essential steps in this journey. The actionable steps provided encourage self-reflection on current influences and practical ways to deepen one’s commitment to learning from and following Jesus. By consciously choosing Jesus as our greatest teacher and allowing his word to be the final authority, we embrace the opportunity to grow in his likeness and live out our true identity as his disciples.

Test Your Understanding

The new series introduced in the video is called __________.
In Jesus’ earthly ministry, he was often called __________, which means teacher or master.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus requires being a __________.
Everyone inherently follows __________ or something.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the __________ and the life.”

Quiz Solutions

Rabbi
Rabbi
learner
someone
truth

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