Are You Teaching One?
One time my daughter did a photography workshop with some famous guy. He hired models, set up his shots, and took pictures. Then he had his mentees photograph the same subjects, critiquing what they did. They did it again. And then again.
A couple of days later, she sees me taking a picture of my granddaughter. She stops me cold and teaches me a whole different way to take the picture. A much better way.
Watch one, do one, teach one.
It’s what Jesus did. In the beginning, He told his guys to follow Him . . . “learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” They learned by watching. What He did. What He said. They watched as He hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes. They watched as He explained and applied Scripture, and as He went off to talk with His Father.
Then Jesus moved to the do one stage. He started giving the apostles assignments. They were sent out to heal people or cast out demons. Jesus gave direct feedback. Sometimes He encouraged. Sometimes He criticized their failures and lack of faith. He loved them, and they knew it. He’d earned a voice into their lives by the moral authority of having lived a life they admired. A life they wanted to emulate.
Isn’t this how we should roll?
Watch one means living a reflective life. Objectively examining and learning from your life . . . what you’ve done right and what you’ve messed up. It’s watching others’ lives. It’s reading. Listening. Praying. It’s being a learner and follower of Jesus, getting to know God’s ways and God’s voice. You’re doing one as you live your life, applying what you’ve learned, making new and different mistakes.
But the point here is the teach one piece.
We have the opportunity to share our experience with those coming behind. It takes four things . . .
Availability – The best lessons are taught along the way. That means you have to be intentional about connecting with and being available to high potential next-generation leaders. Reach out. Buy them coffee. Get to know them. Offer to help. Give them more than they ask for.
Courage – You’ve got to be transparent. Be willing to own your mistakes. Let younger ones know what you’ve done, both good and bad. Be safe for them. It takes a lot of guts and humility to say, “This is a mistake I made. Do something else. Make a new mistake.”
Patience – You have to slow down if you’re going to let younger people in your life to teach one. It’s messy. They won’t understand everything. They’ll ask dumb questions. At times, they’ll do exactly opposite of what you tell them. They’ll get ahead of you. Question you. And take you for granted.
Gratitude – The only thing that sustains selfless behavior over time is gratitude. To teach one requires selflessness. And only when you’re grateful for the mercy and grace of your Heavenly Father will you consistently extend mercy and grace by teaching others.
If you’re mature and have been walking with the Lord for a while, you have a lot to give. Are you teaching one? Jesus did it. And so should we.
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