“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14, 15, NKJV)
The chairs and tables may be in a perfectly round circle or neatly lined up in rows; the classrooms may be brightly decorated with images of those people and events that are going to be covered over a quarter of study in the Bible Class.
Without a doubt, the atmosphere of a classroom for any age group is fundamentally important! But do our methods actually deal with what must be considered the heart of consideration … which is the effect and influence of what is being taught, even in our adult’s studies … and whether or not we are actually learning more about “Jesus Christ and Him crucified!”
But before we explore a little further the value of a wonderful Bible Class effort, there is a fundamental truth that must be addressed. What is that truth? That truth is that the teaching of our children, the growth of our young people and the faith of our adults begins in our homes!
Those who then become willing to become involved in the teaching efforts of a congregation are to recognize that they are coming alongside the teaching and instruction being provided by fathers and mothers to help and support … to reinforce and exemplify the truths of God’s wonderful Book, the Bible!
All of our teaching, privately and publicly can be likened unto “sowing seeds” … seeds of the truth of God’s kingdom, His will, His ways, His love, His mercy, His grace and His justice! Just look at the harvest of young Timothy’s mother and grandmothers “sowing of good seed!”
Every person who offers to become involved in sharing the “good news” of the gospel is to recognize the value of helping our young to grow and mature in Jesus Christ! You see … twenty years, thirty years from now, the church will only be as holy, mature and sound in her teachings and practices as the teaching and reception of what is taught!!
What a glorious, sobering and important role it is for anyone of us to be engaged in influencing the younger generations to grow into servants, leaders and involved members in the work of the church! What we are teaching them now … how we are teaching them now … is inestimable to the growth of the church … to the value shown to those in the world of serving and pleasing our Heavenly Father!
We who teach … having learned the “first principles of the oracles of God” … not only grow spiritually ourselves … but we are planting seeds that will bear harvest through countless generations! What a legacy to leave when our lives have ended!
I was blessed with really good Bible Class teachers … and can still remember truths they shared with our class … and how to use them in our everyday decisions!
Not everyone can be a teacher in the classroom arena … and that’s ok … but everyone can be a teacher by their manner of life and the example they show on a daily basis! No, not everyone can be a teacher; but without a doubt, there are many more who can be!!
Are we willing to teach others how to be teachers? Are we willing to sit at the feet of those who are and have been teachers over the years … and learn from them … study with them … and do all that we can to become more involved and more effective as servants in the Kingdom?
Each of us must look into the mirror … honestly … carefully … pray fervently about it … ask God for strength, knowledge and wisdom …roll up our proverbial sleeves and do more to further the cause of Christ!
So much more could be mentioned, but let’s close with the inspired words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
The apostle Paul clearly recognized the value of teaching others about the God who made them, provides for them, cares for them and who will one day judge them!
To those already teaching … may your tribe increase … and may you continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Thank you!
Teachers are needed! Would you be willing to rise up and answer the call?
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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