Happy Teacher’s Day to all Junior Bible Class teachers, Adult Bible Class teachers and also brethren who engage people in Bible studies!
We all have come into contact with teachers in our lives, having attended school when we were in our younger days. There is no doubt that teachers impart knowledge, guide and mould students and are themselves role models. We looked for teachers to help us in our academic work when we were in doubt. For some, there were opportunities to also share the struggles and challenges in life with a teacher and receive encouragement and advice on what to do. We have no doubt that teachers play a significant role in a person’s life and we appreciate them for all they do. Many have shown appreciation to their teachers in school with cards or gifts (be it self-made or bought) especially on Teacher’s Day.
Let us not forget teachers of the Bible as well!
I had been taught the Bible from a Christian and thereafter was baptised for the remission of my sins. Likewise, every one of us who is a Christian will have been taught by a Christian prior to being a Christian. The gospel has to be taught and shared as commanded by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). We had to be taught by someone sharing the gospel that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that no one can go to God the Father except through Jesus (John 14:6).
Teachers of the Bible are very important in our spiritual journey. We consider what Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy. Paul said “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
There are a few things that we can note in this verse. First, Paul told Timothy to take note of the things that he had heard of Paul from many witnesses. This tells us that Paul, being a teacher of God’s word and an apostle, had to be a good example in word and in deed. He had many witnesses who would be able to testify to his conduct and also speak of the doctrines which he taught from scriptures.
Second, Timothy was told by Paul to pass on whatever he had heard and learnt about Paul and from Paul to faithful men. There is a transfer of knowledge and examples of what was learnt to others. Notice that Timothy was supposed to commit them to faithful men.
Third, by committing these to faithful men, they would be able to teach others also. Thus, these faithful men, having learnt of Paul’s teachings and example from Timothy, would go on and teach others also and in the process, teach them to teach others too. This is likewise in line with what Jesus commanded His apostles to teach others all things which Jesus had commanded them (Matthew 28:20) and that included those whom they had taught to teach others too.
We learn of the need for teachers to grow others so that they will be able to teach others as well. There is a continual process over here and some may call this ‘mentorship’. In order for teachers to grow others, there is a necessity for teachers to grow themselves through diligent study of God’s word and also apply the knowledge gained to transform their lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Teachers of the Bible have a great responsibility as they teach the Truth. They spend a lot of time preparing for lessons and trying their best to engage students. They need to equip the saints and to edify the body of Christ. This was especially necessary in the first century when the church was in its infancy. Paul wrote:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Even as some of us (especially the children) remember to show appreciation to our secular school teachers, let us not forget the Bible class teachers and those who are involved in Bible studies teaching visitors and brethren.
Thank you once again to all who have been faithfully teaching the brethren and visitors and a Happy Teacher’s Day!
Ask Myself:
How do I know that the gospel must be shared and taught to others?
Read the following article by the late bro. Wayne Jackson: https://christiancourier.com/articles/the-responsibility-of-the-bible-teacher How can I improve and grow such that I can teach someone the gospel?
How may I show appreciation to the Bible teachers in our congregation?
Suggested Answers:
Jesus commanded it in Matthew 28:19 and we see of Paul telling Timothy to do likewise in teaching others (2 Timothy 2:2).
You may discuss with the writer or any Bible class teacher.
You may discuss with the writer.