CONCERNING BIBLE CLASS TEACHERS

INTRODUCTION

A. As far back as we can remember we probably remember preaching on the work of the church, and how it is divided into three major categories: Evangelism, Benevolence, and Edification

1. Most church members today are more familiar with evangelism and benevolence than they are with edification … and in this lesson we hope to change that
2. What is edification?
3. To be edified means to be built up, to make, to be instructed and improved, to be benefited morally and spiritually
4. 2 Peter 3:18
5. To grow suggests not just an increase in the number of Christians in a congregation, but a growing within each individual Christian

B.How does edification take place?

1. There are several ways in which we can edify, but today I want to focus in on one area, an area that is very critical
2. Colossians 2:6-7 … “were taught“
3. Acts 20:32 … “the word of his grace”
4. John 6:44-45
5. If a people are taught then it is implied that there was a teacher
6. Since God wants and demands that we be taught – we must have teachers
7. There were teachers in the first century church
8. God put teachers in the church (1 Cor. 12:28)
9. Ephesians 4:11-12
10. Thus, it is imperative that we understand that our Bible Classes are what will make or break the church 

C. Therefore, we need teachers!!!

1. If your care about the church you will want to be a teacher – and prepare yourself for such
2. If you care for the souls of our little ones you will want to be a teacher
3. If you truly care for the souls of our youth – you will not retire from teaching
4. Some might say I have taught for many years and now it is time for the young to teach
5. But the younger ought to be in class being taught gaining experience in God’s word, and the older and experience in the faith ought to be teaching
6. Hosea 4:6

Are we contributing to the churches destruction by our lack of desire to teach?

1. 2 Timothy 3:15
2. How did this occur?
3. By teachers!!!

Don’t you care enough for our youth to be a teacher?    

Let Us now consider some very important principles with regard to Bible Class teachers.

DISCUSSION

BEING A TEACHER IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

1. I know many Bible Class teacher who, it seems to me, do not take their Bible class teaching very serious
2. Teachers have a very serious responsibility
3. I can not over emphasize the critical and weighty obligation of a Bible Class teacher
4. Souls are hanging in the balances!!!
5. James 3:1
6. It is not the purpose of James to discourage a qualified teacher from teaching God’s word, but he is striving to instill in our mind the seriousness of teaching
7. James is saying, don’t you dare be a teacher unless you are sure that you can act as a faithful teacher should act, and are willing to accept the responsibility for your position.
8. The teacher does not have the power of life and death over his or her students, but they do have the power of eternal destiny.
9. James says that teachers shall receive “heavier judgment” or “greater condemnation.”
10. Teachers are going to be judged more severely
11. This is because of the great responsibility the they have

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT A TEACHER MUST POSSESS

A Bible Class teacher must be sound in the faith

1. 1 Timothy 1:3-4
2. A teacher can disrupt a congregation by falsE teaching
3. One given to false doctrine should have no place in the teaching of the church
4. Titus 2:1
5. 1 Timothy 4:16
6. Soundness in the faith is found in those who:
7. Are mature in the faith … not babes in Christ
8. Are knowledgeable in the holy scriptures

A Bible Class teacher must be studious

1. If anyone should study the Bible, it is he or she who would teach it
2. 2 Timothy 2:15
3. 1 Timothy 4:13
4. “Seek ye out of the book of Jehovah, and read” (Isa. 34:16)
5. Acts 17:11
6. The church does not need teachers who are not studious in the scriptures
7. Teachers who are not studious are doing a disservice to their students, the church, and themselves
8. A teacher must know the Bible!!!

A Bible Class teacher should be a good example in all things

1. 1 Timothy 4:12
2. Romans 2:21-23
3. It is certain that a Bible Class teacher who is unfaithful cannot effectively teach others
4. Let us consider some things that a Bible Class teacher must be faithful in:

They must be faithful in attendance (Heb. 10:25)

1. What are teachers telling their students when they teach their class on Sunday morning and are not at services on Sunday night or Wednesday night?
2. A teacher who will not attend faithfully the services of the Lord are doing severe damage to the cause of Christ – and they ought not to teach
3. “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Rom. 2:21)

They must be faithful in the work of the church

1. They ought to be present at work days, seminars, Gospel Meetings, and any activity involving the churchThis sets a good example for their students
2. “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Rom. 2:21)

They must be faithful in their every day walk of life (1 Tim. 4:12)

1. They must be faithful in the home, the community, and on the job
2. They must be a shining light of an example to their students, for they never know when their students might see them
3. “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Rom. 2:21)

A Bible Class teacher must love the Lord

1. Mark 12:30
2. If this is true of us – then we will want to teach and will want to be the kind of teacher that is pleasing to the Lord and beneficial to our students.

CONCLUSION

1. Our Bible Class program in my opinion is the most important work of the church, because we can do no better than we are taught and know.
2. It is my prayer that if you are not a qualified teacher that you will be begin to prepare yourself to be so
3. It is my prayer that all those who are not teaching, and are qualified to teach, will begin teaching once more
4. It is my prayer that if you are teaching, and have been taking this great responsibility lightly, that you will change your ways for the sake of your students and your own soul
5. It is my prayer that if you are presently faithfully teaching that you will keep up the good work – the church is depending on you!

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com