Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Bible Class On Purpose
Adult Bible studies can be encouraging, even exhilarating. Yet, we have all emerged from a class wondering why we were even in it. The New Testament teaches that a class should have purpose and direction.
Ephesians 4.11-13 provides us with a plan for Christ's church that has distinct applications for conducting Bible classes.
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ: until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (NASU)
Two Principles
The principles found in Christ's plan for His people drive the purpose of a Bible class and prompts certain actions on the part of teacher and students.
Bible classes are for equipping and edifying the participants. Critical to reaching maturity in the faith is an understanding of Christ's teaching. Whatever is done in a Bible class it must be done with the goal of bringing the student closer to the Lord. Bible class is not required to be a democracy where everyone gets to weigh in with an opinion. It is not a laboratory for speculation or a stage for showing what you know.
Teachers are to insure that edification takes place. The responsibility for an atmosphere conducive to learning lies with the teacher. Teachers are a part of Christ's plan for helping believers mature. This indicates that a teacher has a charge from Christ to instruct. They need to study, contemplate, create, and pray in preparation to lead their students to see Christ and His will for their lives. He is more than a traffic cop directing comments. He is in charge of where the class is going and how to get there. Students need to allow teachers to teach. Thoughtful comments on the subject at hand that compliments the direction in which the teacher is leading have a place. Indeed, teachers need to stimulate and seek student participation. Discussion is an excellent way to engage the students and foster thought processes that lead to learning. However, there is a difference in comments that help and ones that reflect that someone is attempting to teach from the seats. Long comments, observations on matters unrelated to the text or subject, and constant injections all reflect a lack of respect for the teacher's role. Such behavior derails the class and hampers learning. A teacher has to be proactive in conducting the class in such a way to minimize this and react in such a way to keep the class from descending into a purposeless spiral.
Acting on the Biblical Principles
Teachers need to have a plan to guide students in moving closer to Christ. The truth of the Word does not change but people are at different places and have different needs. From Hebrews 11 one group might need an emphasis on how their faith calls them to endure hardship while another group needs to be reminded of how a life of faith requires walking away from worldly pleasures. As a teacher, know your text but also know your students.
Teachers need a plan of direction. While one must be flexible as he teaches, adjusting to how the students are responding and seizing good teaching moments, a teacher needs to have a plan. He needs to plot out what he is going to teach and how to teach it. Decide the most effective way to teach them what they need and get them there with explanation, instruction, illustration, and discussion. Edification through the word is not a haphazard exercise.
Teachers have a right and responsibility to keep the class on track. It is Christ's will that the saints be equipped and edified. A teacher who takes this seriously will not allow his class to be diverted from the important task at hand. He must be courteous, respectful, and wise. However, he cannot allow the class to miss a learning opportunity out of some obligation to allow everyone to say whatever they like for as long as they wish. Take charge and lead the class onward. Ignore hands if necessary. And, if one student becomes problematic, ask the brother or sister in private for their cooperation in meeting the goal of edification for the entire class.
Students need to allow the teacher to teach for the sake of the growth of others. We must be more concerned about what the group needs than what we want to say. Just because we think it does not mean we have to speak it. Check your comments before you submit them. Are they on the subject? Are they helping the class? Teachers should not be above being challenged. False and destructive teaching cannot go uncontested. Yet, let a teacher teach. Help them as they lead the brethren to learn.
— In "Biblical Insights", July 2012
