BIBLE CLASS TEACHERS

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. We appreciate those who continue to do well in teaching our
      Bible classes.
   B. We say thanks to all those who have been and continue to be
      teachers.  It's no easy task.
      1. In this lesson, hopefully, we will give exhortation to our
         teachers to be diligent in the good work of teaching the
         will of God.

I. BIBLE CLASSES ARE IMPORTANT.
   A. It goes without saying that the purpose of Bible classes is to
      teach the Bible.
      1. The Word of God is able to save our souls.  James 1:21
         We will be judged by it. John 12:48  It gives comfort and
         strength.  Rom. 15:4
         a. The Bible is our criterion for teaching.  1 Tim. 6:2; 2
            Tim. 4:2
            (1) "Preach" - means "to herald, proclaim,
                publish." and "teach" - "to inform, instruct, to
                give instruction."
            (2) Like "gospel" and "doctrine," "preach" and
                "teach" are different words which look at the
                same concept from different standpoints.
            (3) We tend to put a lot of importance on
                "preaching" (which is good), but not so much
                on "teaching" (which is bad).
      2. The Bible classes sometimes become nothing more than a
         rap session.  Brother Homer Hailey refused to be in a
         "round table discussion" Bible class.  He said, "If you
         want me to teach a class, I will teach it.  However, in a
         round table discussion, the only thing I will learn from
         one who is ignorant of the Bible is that he is ignorant of
         the Bible."
   B. Bible classes are important congregationally.
      1. 1 Tim. 3:15 - "Pillar and ground of the truth" -
         Proclaims, upholds, defends the truth.
      2. Eph. 4:16 - The church is its own edification society.
         a. Bible classes are a good method for the church to do
            its work.
         b. The no-class brethren (churches who believe it is
            wrong to have classes) have not grown much.
   C. Bible classes are important individually.  2 Pet. 3:18; Eph.  
      6:4
      1. The classes give us a wonderful opportunity to fulfill
         these and a host of other similar passages.
      2. Fathers need to teach at home, but the classes become an
         excellent opportunity for bringing up their children in the
         right way.
      3. All of us need spiritual food for our souls just as physical
         food for our bodies.
   D. Bible classes provide a wonderful opportunity in many ways.
      1. It is a learning experience.
         a. We learn from the teachers who usually at the time
            have put more study into their preparation to teach
            the class.
         b. Also, we learn from other students who give new
            reflection and insight.
      2. Its a building experience.
         a. We can both give and receive instruction,
            exhortation, strength, comfort, and so forth.
   E. Thus, all members (the young, old, middle aged, parents,
      children) should be concerned that the Bible classes
      accomplish all that is intended.
      1. The classes should not be haphazard, careless,
         thoughtless, prayerless, endeavors.
      2. Selection of teachers, subject matter, and all things
         pertaining to the classes are important.

II. TEACHERS NEED TO BE QUALIFIED.
   A. The Bible lists certain qualifications for those who are to be
      teachers.
      1. They must be good Christians.  1 Tim. 4:11-13; 2 Tim.
         2:2
         a. "A good man or woman may not be a good teacher;
            but it is impossible for a bad man or woman to be a
            good teacher.  We must practice what we preach.
         b. Rom. 2:21 - The Jews were busy teaching others
            what they should or should not do, but did not
            follow it themselves.
         c. We should never use someone as a Bible class
            teacher who socially drinks, or uses foul language,
            dresses immodestly, or goes to dances or places not
            becoming to the Christian, etc. etc.
            (1) The Oak Ridge church chose to not have a
                certain preacher for a Gospel Meeting because
                he had committed adultery.
            (2) It was not a matter of forgiveness, but of
                influence.
            (3) All the skill, knowledge, and experience in
                teaching will not off-set a bad example.
            (4) An unskilled, untrained, teacher who is living
                right and is growing, is far better than a skilled,
                trained teacher who won't follow what he is
                trying to encourage others to follow.
      2. The Bible class teacher must be sound in doctrine.  Titus
         2:1-2; 2 John 9-11; 1 Pet. 4:11
         a. This involves proper knowledge of the Scriptures.
         b. Jesus said of the Sadducees.  Matt. 22:29
         c. "Soundness in doctrine" means knowing the truth
            and being committed to it.  Psalm 119:104
            (1) All must be willing to oppose error.  Jude 3
      3. The Bible class teacher must be honest and sincere. 
         Luke 8:15
         a. Ex. When a question arises he can't answer, he
            should say, "I don't know the answer, but I'll try to
            find it."
         b. It is better to say, "I don't know" than to give an
            "unthought, unscriptural answer."
         c. Let us not let the element of pride get in our way. 
            Prov. 16:18
      4. The Bible class teacher must be studious.  2 Tim. 2:15
         a. All Christians should be studious, but especially the
            teachers.  Heb. 5:12-14
         b. You can't teach what you don't know.
            (1) The first step in teaching: "Try to comprehend
                the passage yourself."
                (a) This may be difficult at times.
            (2) The second step (which can be more difficult):
                "Try to simplify the passage so that others can
                understand it."
                (a) At times, explaining how the passages is
                    to be applied or carried out in our lives,
                    can be difficult.
                (b) Learning teacher skills can help.
                (c) Every Christian (especially teachers)
                    needs the basic tools for study: a good
                    Bible, concordance, and Bible dictionary.
                (d) One should spend much time in
                    preparation.
                (e) One owes it to himself and the students
                    to be well prepared.
                (f) Teaching is a fearful responsibility. 
                    James 3:1
         c. One must spend time in preparation.
            (1) It involves more than having all the blanks
                filled out in a workbook.
                (a) This usually takes no more than five or
                    ten minutes.
                (b) Someone said, "Fill in the blank
                    workbooks is an insult to my
                    intelligence."  I agree.
                (c) Don't be like some (teachers as well as
                    students) who scurry around trying to
                    find their workbook while they are
                    getting ready for services.
            (2) Don't be satisfied with just getting by.  Do
                your best!  God requires it! Your soul depends
                on it!
      5. Must be dependable.  1 Cor. 15:58
         a. All of us should understand the importance in being
            present for the services.
            (1) Sometimes we can't even count on certain
                teachers to be present.
            (2) They don't even take the time to call their
                substitute and notify them that they will be
                absent.
         b. Teachers should be on time.  Sometimes the
            students are sitting and waiting for their teachers for
            ten minutes, even twenty minutes.  This shouldn't
            be.
            (1) How would you do in your employment it you
                were not dependable?
         c. Being a responsible teacher of the Word of God is
            far more important than any job on the face of the
            earth.
      6. Must be prayerful.  Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17
         a. We should pray about all things.  Christians are a
            praying people.
         b. Bible class teachers especially need to be prayerful in
            the fearful responsibility they have.
            (1) Take the time to pray to God for help,
                guidance, and assistance in teaching His Word
                to others.
            (2) We shouldn't think we can do God's work
                without God's help.
      7. Must have a love for souls.  Matt. 16:24-27
         a. Why would one want to teach the Bible in the first
            place?  1 Tim. 4:16
         b. A genuine love for souls will cause the teacher to do
            his best job.  His teaching won't become just
            routine.
         c. Those who are teaching the very little ones are
            preparing them to someday be faithful children of
            God.  Our children are indeed the church of
            tomorrow.
         d. It is sad that generations are growing up who are
            not faithful to God.
         e. Remember, teachers, you are doing an important
            job.  Souls are at stake!
         f. Don't let the classes become a dreaded thing to you. 
            Ex. "Oh, no, I've been assigned a class again." 
            Look at it as an opportunity to aid and benefit
            precious souls.
            (1) Acts 20:31 - shedding tears - so concerned -
                the love for souls.
            (2) 1 Thess. 2:8 - motivated out of love.
      8. They must be co-operative.  Phil. 1:27
         a. Work together in love.  Phil. 2:14
         b. The Bible class arrangement is one way to work in
            harmony.
         c. The teachers should do their best to stay with the
            assigned material.
            (1) A well arranged curriculum is of no avail if the
                teachers won't follow it.
         d. Some will teach only what they want to teach.
            (1) Teaching a book that we do not know all that
                well will do us a world of good.  What better
                way to become thoroughly acquainted with it?
         e. Let us all do our best to be co-operative and work
            together in love.
      9. They must be always growing.  Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:10-11;
         1 Pet. 2:2
         a. Bible class teachers especially need to be growing in
            knowledge and ability.
         b. All will readily agree that teaching a class provides
            tremendous opportunity for growth.
         c. Teachers who diligently apply themselves, receive
            seven times the benefit of the normal student.
            (1) By applying yourself, you will benefit from
                being a teacher.
         d. Thus, let us look at teaching as an excellent
            opportunity to grow in becoming a better, stronger
            Christian.  Col. 2:6-7

Concl.
   A. We have given some simple points, but ones that need to be
      stressed.
      1. Bible classes are important for us.  We benefit from
         them.
      2. Teaching is a fearful responsibility.  God will hold us
         responsible.  We need to try to do our best.
   B. If our Bible classes are conducted in the proper manner, the
      church will be strong and growing.
      1. Each individual will be grounded, established in the faith,
         and increasing in the knowledge of God.
      2. And more importantly, the holy name of God will be
         glorified.