John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Modern Pentecostals and Charismatics are quick to think of the Holy Spirit in terms of power and spiritual gifts, but here Jesus is expressing another essential function. When you think about it, it is really rather remarkable that John in particular was able to remember so much of Jesus’ teaching to put it down on paper. Linguistic analysis shows that the other Gospel writers used collections of Jesus’ teachings that doubtless circulated from soon after Pentecost, if not from even before the crucifixion, but John obviously did not, and he wrote decades after the others. However, that does not make what he wrote any less reliable, because of precisely what he quotes Jesus as saying here. Holy Spirit (to refer to Him as the Person He undoubtedly is) is the ultimate Teacher. It is helpful to learn about the geography, customs, and culture of when the Bible was written, but other than that, the ultimate theological education comes from the Scriptures and Holy Spirit. We need to “attend class” every day, with the Bible as our textbook and Holy Spirit as the teacher. The better we internalize the Scripture, the more material Holy Spirit has to work with. However, just memorizing the text doesn’t cut it; we need to learn to apply it. Daily living is the practicum, but we need the classroom hours in order to know what to do. Rather than a subject like Philosophy, it’s much more like Music Theory or even Auto Mechanics. If we aren’t doing it, we won’t really grasp it. However, if our heart is in the right place, Holy Spirit is ready and waiting to coach us in the details, as well as teach us the principles.

Having been a teacher for the past 42 years, this really clicks with me. Everything I have taught has required practice on the part of my students for it to be a useful part of their repertoire. Even with something as mundane as English Conversation, I have told my students consistently, “If you don’t speak you can’t speak.” Being afraid to make mistakes is no way to learn! In deeper subjects, I have taught Medical English to nurses and therapists, and Vocal Production and Pronunciation to speech therapists. Those students all had Practicums to deal with after my classes, and some of them wanted to come back to class after their experiences in the practicum! They didn’t grasp the importance of what I was teaching them until they encountered actual patients. I have experienced the same thing myself many times, as I have had to come back to the Word and to Holy Spirit for “refresher sessions” time and time again. I am grateful for how much of the Word is in my heart and mind, but I am very aware that I need more, and more skill in applying it. However, Holy Spirit is always available to give me the further teaching and coaching I need, so I need to stay in constant communication with Him.

Father, thank You for this clear exposition. Help me be effective in sharing it with people on Sunday. May I be an effective “teaching assistant” for Holy Spirit so that all the believers may grow in knowing and applying Your Word and Your will, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!