Stewart Mba
Digest!
The words, Teaching and Training are often used interchangeably, which erroneously implies that they simply connote the same thing. But untill we are able to understand the difference between these two integral and chronological concepts we may never be able to exploit the concept of training in a learning process and system. And of course this lack of understanding is greatly affecting the skills development of believers in service or in the Ministry work of the church.
Now, the two of the four profits or benefits of the scripture which include the first and the last as captured in 2 Tim 3:16 are: teaching and training (NIV, NASB). Both of which are not same as God never plays with words. While teaching imparts knowledge, training bestows skills or wisdom (the right application of knowledge); knowing and doing respectively.
Truly, imperical research, observation and experience reveal that many believers and leaders alike don’t really know the practical difference between both. Hence, most times what we do is to teach: impart knowledge alone, and the learner is able to know, but can’t do or perform what he or she knows for an outcome. And this is what makes some believers to know virtually every thing about evangelism for instance, and yet lack the wisdom or skills in practical terms to be able to win souls to Christ, and this informs why the Bible emphatically says, he that wins soul is rather wise(skilful). The same applies to us knowing everything about grace, faith, love, etc. and yet can’t translate them to service.
Often times this is ascribed to hypocrisy; while this may be true in some instances it can also be as a result of deficiency in skills. When believers are just taught, but are never trained, the doing capacity will be lacking. We “know to do,” and it’s only in the latter which is a product of training that we can be armed and be happy or blessed (Gen 14:14; Jn 13:17).
Thus, it doesn’t matter how much we are taught and know, the doing may never be accomplished until we are trained to do what we’ve known through a pragmatic approach that differs from that of teaching, indeed.
Again, that is why the Church should besides Sunday School department create a training unit so as to reduce the gap between knowledge and skills: seating members and sending disciples in our local churches: there seems to be too much knowledge with less of skills and performance. It is well…
Shalom!
Prof. Stewart Mba, Pastor
