Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
January 7, 1971
NUMBER 34, PAGE 6-7a

Teachers.

John Collins

"For when by reason of time ye ought to be teachers.. ." Hebrews 5:12.

The church needs good teachers. The need is obvious when we recognize the God ordained system of offering salvation to mankind. 1 Corinthians 1:21, "For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe." The preaching mentioned here would include both pulpit preaching, class room instruction, and individual teaching.

II Corinthians 4:7 drives the point home with even more force, "But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not of ourselves." God's greatness is shown as we teach and preach the gospel because its power makes evident the fact that it didn't originate with us, rather with a greater; that is, God.

This article deals with only one aspect of this work and that is congregational class room teaching. It is understood and acknowledged that we all must do the "good works which God afore prepared that we should walk in." (Ephesians 2:10) We all have the responsibility to teach through the influence of our lives and in whatever way we can encourage others to turn to the Lord. What we say in this writing should not be considered as excusing any of us from "letting our light shine before men." (Matthew 5:16)

Perhaps the reader feels that this article doesn't apply to him because he has always felt, "I can't teach." However, all of us should consider the need for class teachers. Effective teaching is, to a degree, a talent and not everyone has the same abilities as another, but a person who wants to teach should not hold back because he feels he can't. Many of the obstacles in his way may be surmounted. Things such as fear of standing before a group, a lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm, and ignorance of teaching skills can be subjugated. There is always the fear of the unknown and untried that everyone has to overcome.

The question then becomes, how do we hurdle our handicaps and become effective teachers? The answer is simple, by study and application; that is, teaching. However, the execution of the answer is not so simple, because many times the opportunities to teach, in a congregational class situation, are not available. Then, when the suitable occasion does come, our students must suffer with us as we begin feeling our way. It's very much like a drowning person having to be rescued by a beginning swimmer. It can be done but with more danger and a longer struggle. Therefore, how can we solve the problem? Where and when do we get the needed practice?

Secular education is one answer, but it's not practical for the majority of Christians. Many of God's children have neither the time or money to invest in educational classes at colleges regardless of their effectiveness.

We could look to private schools operated by brethren to provide teachers for the church, but, again, this doesn't do the job. This training is not available to all desiring Christians. Besides, these schools should not be run for this purpose. However, sad to say, many congregations would have no qualified teachers if it were not for these organizations.

The answer lies within each congregation. The church is its own edification organization. The congregations have the obligation to teach and train their members. But, the average system in the average congregation just does not get the job done. What we usually see is a church meeting three times each week. The average members hear two sermons and two class lessons, and they take home only a small amount of the spiritual food offered, if any. These people are never inspired to study, much less to teach. It's easy to blame them for having no interest, but doesn't the church leadership have any responsibility in this matter?

What is needed are specific teacher training programs. Not just for six weeks or so, but on a continual basis. Not just a lecture series on theory but practical practice sessions, giving all a chance to use teaching techniques under the leadership of a skilled religious teacher. At midweek services men should be given the occasion to either teach or preach for ten to fifteen minutes to give them the experience of being before a larger group. Ladies should be encouraged to get together and discuss their particular teaching problems and be given the opportunity to practice their skills. Older experienced women who are skilled teachers should be allowed to train and teach the younger less experienced women.

If a little more imagination and enthusiasm were shown in congregations and more concern for the development of each member expressed by the leaders, the Lord's church would grow by leaps and bounds. We're not talking about growth in numbers, but growth in spiritual maturity which is the real strength of any congregation.

Any congregation that is satisfied with a two services on Sunday and once in the middle of the week program will never amount to much in God's kingdom.

— 12017 Herbert Street, Los Angeles, California 90066