Why You Need a Teacher | Nehemiah 8:8
Devotional
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”
The Bible is a profound book that rewards careful study. But if we misunderstand its meaning, we can misapply God’s Word and miss what He intends to teach us. Without guidance, we could easily wander off into our own thoughts and overlook the core message of the gospel.
In Nehemiah 8:8, Ezra and the other leaders read from the Book of the Law and provided explanation so the people could understand. By explaining the text, they helped the people understand God’s Word correctly. This is not unfamiliar to those of us who work out.
How many times have you started a new program and seen an exercise that you didn’t know how to do or even what it was? This could lead to injury or, at best, an ineffective exercise.
Just the other day I was looking for ideas for a workout and saw “Side Loaded Kettlebell Hinge (Suitcase Style)”. Come to find out, this was a word-vomit way of describing side-bends with a kettlebell.
Having a teacher accelerates understanding. A good teacher can help us avoid mistakes, answer questions, and shorten the learning curve that would otherwise take years to navigate alone.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek instruction. It may cost a little pride to admit that we lack understanding, but as we’ve mentioned before we must have humility.
Whether in the gym or in God’s Word, guessing is a poor substitute for understanding. Seek wisdom from faithful teachers, ask questions, and pursue the truth with humility.
Workout
A good teacher helps us avoid unnecessary mistakes, and the same is true in training. As you work through today’s workout, focus on learning the movements, applying good technique, and improving with each set. Understanding leads to better results.
Conditioning Circuit
3 rounds; 1m rest between rounds
5m row machine cooldown after the circuit
Kettlebell Goblet Squats: 10 reps
Kettlebell Swings: 20 reps
Pull-up: 8 reps
Dips: 12 reps
Farmer’s Carry: 1 minute