Being a teacher is to pass on the knowledge‚ to give lessons‚ and to settle doubts -- that is one of the Chinese classical sayings regarding teachers‚ which has been handed down from generation to generation for about one thousand years. Of course‚ there is a certain truth in this saying. Even today in North America a similar philosophy can still be seen. However‚ it is more complicated to teach today than in the past. Our knowledge may be very rich‚ yet the old philosophy of teaching may be neither fit‚ nor adequate. It is so in the school and in all the sectors of society today‚ as well as in the church life.

It is quite common in the world that instead of teaching people how to fish‚ we just give them fish. This is certainly not good enough for the long run. Many examples can be singled out‚ including some policies of various governments. Similarly‚ we should teach people how to till the land‚ sow the seeds‚ care for the fields‚ reap the harvest‚ and all other essential skills related to farming‚ and not merely hand out bread or rice for them to eat. Equally‚ we may instruct gold-miners all the necessary techniques concerning the art of mining‚ instead of just passing on to them some pieces of gold.

Any disaster‚ distress or any kind of emergency may happen anywhere in the world, especially before the Lord's coming back. Certainly offering relief assistance is absolutely needed. But it is of little use as a temporary help to the poor and needy (please remember that we still need to give and help the poor since this is the Lord's teaching). Rather‚ they should be educated and taught how to earn a living --- an honorable living‚ a decent living‚ not a "begging" living.

In the church life‚ on one hand‚ we need minister or supply Christ to others; on the other hand‚ we should educate and train the saints such that they may seek the Lord‚ pursue Him‚ enjoy Him‚ and experience Him‚ all by themselves. Each and every one of us must grow in life unto maturity no matter what we are‚ where we are‚ who we are‚ young or old‚ male or female. Instead of continuously drinking milk‚ we should be able to advance to solid food gradually (I Cor 3:2; Heb 5:12). Only then can we go on to fight the good fight‚ to run the race‚ and to keep the faith (2 Tim 4:7).

All of us need to be trained and taught so that we may experience the Lord in a subjective and personal way. Moreover‚ the Lord should be our own Lord‚ and God our own God‚ not just our parents' or someone else's.

I am not looking down upon ministering or supplying Christ. Not a bit. Absolutely not! Rather‚ I would like to emphasize the importance and significance of training and educating the saints to go forward furthermore unto maturity and to bring the Lord back. May our Lord grant us sufficient grace so that we may realize the present and urgent need of training and educating the saints in our church life and put it into practice.

Bro. Joseph