Spiritual Education

For 3 years, Jesus taught His Disciples who became Apostles after His death. What kind of education did Jesus gave them? Reading all of the New Testament, I have come to conclusion that Jesus taught them Spiritual matters. The only Apostle that didn't follow Jesus was Paul however, Paul did have extensive education background regarding Jewish Laws that were very useful for God to use Paul when He wrote the letters of the New Testament. Through Paul's letters, we have learned GREAT doctrines who was very educated and at the same time very spiritual.

A lay pastor can be useful in a local church. Accountability involves "one anothers" that every members are encouraged to be actively serving and ministering their gifts. The writer of Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." In Ephesians 4:11 the words "pastors" and "teachers" may be joined together due to the nature of the Greek phrasing in that sentence as gift of pastor-teacher. "Pastor" refers to one who has a pastoral oversight over others as a "Shepherd". This position often requires by many Churches that pastors are to be "ordained". It is based upon the idea of shepherding and looks back to the pattern of Jesus, who described himself as "the good shepherd" (John 10:11) and is referred to as "the great" (Heb. 13:20) and "Chief Shepherd" of the sheep (1 Pet. 5:4). Many will have this gift who are not ordained that falls under the category as "lay person" are evangelists, elder, deacon and Sunday school teachers. Another form of teaching is listed in Romans 12:8 "exhortation" follows immediately after teaching. The learned disciples are to encourage others to follow them as they follow Christ through their spiritual "wisdom" and "knowledge." Wisdom and knowledge are gifts particularly associated with the evangelistic, pastoral and teaching ministries.