As the academic dean of International Christian College of Manila in the Philippines, I am responsible for choosing lecturers for each class. It’s an awesome task I take very seriously. Whom to choose? What qualities are needed? Does the college need an academic? Is it more important that a lecturer be well prepared or popular? There are many things to consider. This is a third-world country where bribery and corruption are common. So, having Christlikeness and integrity are key elements I look for.

I have four degrees from colleges and universities, I have been preaching and teaching for more than 25 years, and I am constantly amazed at Jesus, the master teacher.

Questions for discussion:
1. What are the most important traits for a Sunday school teacher?
2. What is your favorite teaching of Jesus? Why?

There are many good reasons Jesus is such a master teacher, but Luke 4:32 describes one reason in particular: Jesus’ message had authority. The Jews recognized it, especially because of his power to cast out demons (Luke 4:33–37). We know Jesus was able to do this because he is God. But just how much authority do we give the teaching of Jesus in our lives?

Questions for discussion:
3. In practical terms, how do we show that Jesus’ teaching has authority in our lives? Give an example or two.
4. Why is it important to examine ourselves to see if there are any areas of our lives where Jesus’ authority is missing?

Next, Jesus has a conversation with the Jewish religious authorities—elders, teachers of the law, and chief priests. By modern standards, it is as if he were conversing with Bible college and university professors, presidents of the North American Christian Convention and National Missionary Convention, and megachurch preachers. They have one question! “By whose authority” does he do these things? In other words, “Who said so?”

You see, you can have all the wisdom in the world and still miss it! Years ago, I was a freshman at the University of Queensland in Australia. I had a professor who knew the Old Testament extremely well, but he doubted its author. As a result, he had absolutely no sense of the authority of the Bible and of Christ. He knew the Bible but he did not know Christ as Savior.

Question for discussion:
5. What leader really inspires you because he lives by Jesus’ authority?

Jesus answered the Jewish religious leaders with a question because he knew it was no use arguing with them (Luke 20:3, 4). They said they could not answer his question, but the truth was, they would not answer.

And so it is with us. We know Jesus is the master teacher. We know he has the authority. We can answer Jesus’ question in Luke 20:4—“John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”—and every other question that Jesus asks. But will we? Do we choose to submit to the authority of the master teacher? Or do we keep a little tucked away, reserved just for ourselves?

This week, please pray:

Sunday—For people in our Bible colleges around the world. Pray that they might have God’s guidance and wisdom. Pray for them by name.

Monday—That God’s authority might have first place in your life.

Tuesday—For your preacher, that he may continue to be directed by the authority of Christ.

Wednesday—That you may continually be open to Jesus’ teaching.

Thursday—For your church’s Sunday school teachers and youth leaders.

Friday—For the person to whom you desire to share the gospel.

Saturday—For the nation’s leaders, that they may not doubt the authority of Jesus.

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.