“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God [a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:14-16
After I gave my life to Christ at 15, I started being discipled at Grace right away. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, but I had glimpses into what it looked like to live as a believer from my grandparents. When I went to college, I got plugged in right away with some Christian groups on campus and was faced very quickly with a group that was teaching another gospel.
From that encounter, I realized that I needed to know scripture, not just depend on hearing about it from others. I joined a Bible study and began to grow in knowledge and understanding of scripture. One of the InterVarsity staff recognized the spiritual gift of teaching in me. He tried to get me to lead a Bible study, but I said no. He then persuaded me to just go through the training to be a Bible study leader.
I learned how to write and lead inductive Bible studies and how to facilitate a group. Asking who, when, where, why of the passage and then looking for application for daily living. I still didn’t want to lead a study, but I agreed to co-lead with this leader. He had me lead a couple lessons with him here and there and then by the end of the semester I was leading because he couldn’t be there. I don’t know if it was his plan all along or not, but by the end of the semester I was excited to be helping others learn and know scripture, and it ignited a flame and passion for it in me. I had learned the great responsibility that you take on in teaching, I had learned to lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction.
After I graduated from college and came back, Pastor Gordon Smith also saw something in me and made sure I knew I was invited into some studies the church was doing on theology and deep dives into different scripture. He encouraged me to lead and write some studies. About that time, my grandparents had passed away and my dad asked me if I wanted to go through my grandmother’s books.
What a treasure she had in commentaries and Bible history and Bible dictionaries! I had heard her give the children’s message several times at her church, but I never knew until I saw her books how thorough her studies for it were. I wonder now if she also had the spiritual gift of teaching. As my kids are maturing in their faith, I can see this gift in a couple of them.
Thinking about how I began to see this gift in me and my growth in it, I will be forever grateful for those who saw something in me and then also helped me to develop the gift. Similar to what Paul did with Timothy as he taught and encouraged him. Are we looking for gifts in others and encouraging them to develop in and grow in maturity in it? Who around us could use some encouragement in their gifting?
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Michelle Koepp has been married to Karl for 22 years. Their children are Zachary (21), Mackenna (19), Kaleb (18) and Aaron (15). Michelle has attended Grace (East) since accepting Christ as her Savior at a Campus Life trip almost 36 years ago. She’s had the privilege of being a computer programmer, a stay-at-home mom and currently an IT employee at Blackhawk Christian School and an Independent Health Coach for Optavia. She enjoys watching her kids do the things they love, reading, and spending time at the lake.
