The True

Teaching

You can be thoroughly equipped for every good work!

That is the ultimate promise of 2 Tim. 3:16-17, the passage around which we gather each week here in the pages of The Equipped. Your world is a perilous place, and you need equipping to interact with it in a way that is redemptive and points toward flourishing. You want to be—and you need to be—thoroughly equipped!

But how? How can you be ready for what is to come when you don’t know what is coming? The answer is in the lead-up to the promise of being thoroughly equipped:

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness . . .” (2 Tim. 3:16).

My friend, your salvation is entirely secure when you put your trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross (Rom. 10:9). He has accomplished it, and if you believe it and confess it, you are fully encapsulated by it! Glory hallelujah!

But your equipping for your earthly tasking is only just beginning at that moment of surrender and it requires something more than simply acquiescing. We must be careful to delineate here, because no part of God’s story and work is about you. It is all about Him, and He has finished the work. Scripture is very clear on this point.

But scripture is also very clear about the beautiful fact that God has intentionally vested in you a responsibility to pursue Him (Matt. 6:33 is one of countless invitations in scripture to actively seek a greater understanding of God). He desires you to pursue Him. He desires dialogue and relationship with you. He longs for your earthly story to be about more than a one-time surrender. He wants it to be all about Him, yes, but He wants that glory of Himself to be accomplished through you!

The first facet of equipping by way of this interaction with God and His Word is teaching. Like so many edicts in scripture, this is a two-part process whereby we are refined first, and through that refining we are able to guide others.

Friend, you should be constantly growing your desire to be taught by God’s Word. It sounds easy, but here’s the hard part (or perhaps this is just me): Being teachable requires an acknowledgement I’m not in full alignment with God and will need to change.

I will make a confession. When I hear the word, “teaching,” I immediately think of how I need to explain to others where they’ve gone wrong. I immediately want to be the teacher. But our passage is clear: You and I must submit to being taught before we are equipped to do the work of teaching.

This requires constant humility. Where do you need to fervently bask in the Word—an active and persistent seeking out of Truth—in order to be taught how to be better aligned with His character? You are called to be thoroughly equipped to teach. You are. But you cannot be equipped to teach unless you first submit to being taught.

So ask God today—right now, even: “God, where do you desire to teach me?” Tell Him of your desire to know more of Him. Ask Him to equip you for the teaching of others by way of first doing a work in you.

All scripture is God-breathed. It is useful for teaching. Are you willing to be taught? It is the first way for you to be thoroughly equipped for every good work!

World

Chain Reactions in Iran

War wages on in Iran, and there are several noteworthy developments this week:

- Six U.S. service members were killed when their KC-135 plane crashed during a mid-air refueling operation over Iraq. The accident involved a second aircraft, but it was able to land safely with no injuries to those onboard. There have now been 13 U.S. fatalities in the ongoing war.

- Oil prices continue to spike as U.S. President Donald Trump is calling for multilateral defense of the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping channel off the southern coast of Iran. The Iranian regime claims control over the channel and has allowed some safe passage to countries not actively engaged in the ongoing war.

- U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil in an effort to relax upward pressure on oil prices. The move comes as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War is ugly. It’s an irrefutable truth we’ve acknowledged together regularly here at The Equipped. War creates no-win situations and decision points, and begins a domino chain that results in circumstances and choices otherwise unthinkable.

For example, Russia’s aggression and territorial lust for Ukraine land is no less today than it was last week, last month, last year, or three years ago. But the country receives some financial relief this week as it seeks to fund the ongoing war because the Iran war is causing economic pain in the United States, in part (there are many other factors) because of the shipping constraint caused by the Strait of Hormuz conflict.

Far more challenging than the financial pressure at American gas pumps is the loss of life. Thirteen families are forever changed after losing a loved one in the line of duty. It is an unimaginable loss, and we should be fervent and intentional in prayer for them.

There are no easy answers in war, and the pursuit of peace on Earth has always been extremely perilous and elusive for mankind. Even so, you as a Jesus follower are to grieve with those who grieve (Rom. 12:15), pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2), and be persistent in your pursuit of peace (Ps. 34:14).

Sports

The Madness Returns

The Madness is back! Basketball fans are in the height of their glory, as the annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket has been unveiled. The four regional #1 seeds belong to Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida, but as always, it now simply comes down to “win and advance” with the champion to be crowned on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The men’s NCAA basketball tournament has become synonymous with the phrase “March Madness,” though the women’s NCAA championship and the high school state tournaments around the country certainly contribute to the basketball euphoria (or devastation, if your team gets eliminated) in March.

For as long as I can remember, paper brackets have been a mainstay in the Bennett household in March, and the online extended family bracket challenge is now in full swing. Our oldest son, Jude, is on a mission to upend Papa Bennett’s effort to defend his title from last year. Meanwhile, we all cheer for our Illini to regain their midseason form and make a run to Indy!

What about you? Does the Madness infect you? Is basketball your thing? I’d love to hear your bracket predictions (everyone but Penn fans are welcome to send thoughts or predictions to theequippednewsletter@gmail.com). While only one fanbase will be happy in the end, it is a great chance to enjoy community and good-natured rivalry!

It is also a great opportunity to reflect on what “things” are regular traditions in your home. March Madness brackets are great fun, but what if we all invoked the power of scripture in an equally visible way? The invitation in Deut. 6:6-9 is beautiful and powerful:

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

You can’t walk through our house during March without seeing a bracket. But you know what? You can’t ever walk through it without seeing scripture!

Write His promises on your doorposts! Literally, do it! Post His Word and His promises as physical reminders for your day-to-day and moment-to-moment. It is one of the very best ways to stand on peace in a world of madness!

World

More Than a Name

The British House of Lords (the United Kingdom's upper legislative chamber) is putting an end to hereditary seats—those passed down by name and title after, in many cases, having been bestowed centuries ago. The change, once fully implemented, will mean the chamber is now constituted only of those appointed by government. There are many calling for the chamber to move entirely to one made up of elected (rather than appointed) officials, but for now, after nearly 700 years, membership will require more than a name.

Analysis and eternal perspective: From a human governance perspective, it is almost certainly a good thing to move away from granting power and authority based on lineage alone. Human history—including modern day, in places like North Korea—is replete with examples of bloodlines being a very foolish way for humans to determine leadership. (Huge caveat: It is different when God has done so—He is God.)

Even so, as a Jesus follower, it should be impossible for you to consider this story without reflecting on this amazing two-faceted truth:

Your association with Jesus is not a product of human birthright, but it is in every way made possible by a Name!

Jesus has called you His own, and while you may very well be blessed because of the faithfulness of your parents and grandparents (Ex. 20:6), your standing as a child of God is rooted not in something passed down but rather in the personal grant of mercy and salvation by your Savior!

Your human family name carries great significance. It lends association and belonging. It carries legacy and lineage. But it doesn’t convey salvation. Your relationship with Jesus is not one of generational bequeathing or one imputed by force.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks. He seeks entry. But the door to your heart can only be opened if you incline your ear to His voice (Rev. 3:20).

It is a beautiful thing, really. Your human name does not determine your eternal destiny. But the Name Above All Names has invited you into identity with him (Philip. 2:9), and taking on that Name marks you as royalty for all of eternity!

The Beautiful

It's Time!

The time has come! Daffodils are blooming in our neck of the woods . . . one of the earliest signs that spring is in fact pushing out the remnants of a stubborn winter (it has snowed three times in the last two weeks and the woodstove is still firing). The days are getting longer (and more frequently bright) and the children are dreaming about the end of the school year.

My friend, there is a time for everything (Ecc. 3). God’s world is rooted in order and purpose and rhythm. That includes your life, and I know many of you have been in a winter season. Things feel cold and dark and dead. But the daffodils are blooming. God has warmth and light and life just ahead for you.

So be encouraged this week. It’s time!