By Johnie Edwards
God did not choose angels to teach men the gospel nor did he send the Holy Spirit in a direct manner to make men believers, but he chose men to teach men. It is important that every Bible teacher realize his place, get in it and be satisfied with it! The place and the importance of the Bible teacher can not be emphasized enough.
The Teacher Must Know The Truth
It is the place of every Bible teacher to, first of all, know the truth. There is no substitute for that. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). A teacher cannot teach that which he does not know. I know of no other way to know except to study. I must be willing, as a teacher of the Word of God, to put forth the necessary effort to be filled with the knowledge of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15). In knowing truth the teacher must also know how to use that truth. Remember Paul told the Colossians, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6).
Must Teach The Truth
It is one thing to know the truth and another to teach it! 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 Tim. 2:2). The truth must be taught in our classes if young men and young ladies are to know and obey. Teachers must understand that we are what we have been taught and there is much at stake when we enter a classroom to teach the Word of God. No wonder James said, “My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jas. 3:1). Many churches of Christ are not very strong due to the diet on which they feed!
Teachers Must Be Able
To be able is to be capable and it is the place of every Bible teacher to be able. The church in a lot of places is lacking in qualified Bible teachers. Often times a person is put in a teaching position with the only “qualification” being he was willing to teach! Teachers must “be able to teach” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Faithfulness Is Necessary
A teacher may know the truth, he may teach the truth, he may be able to teach the truth but lacking in an important ingredient, faithfulness. When a person is put into a place of teaching the Bible, he must be faithful (2 Tim. 2:2). One who is not faithful in attending the services and in others areas of being a Christian has too much influence to be allowed to set such an improper example before others. Putting a person in the place of teaching in order to get him to be faithful in attendance is but asking for trouble.
Teach Thyself
It is the place of Bible teachers to practice what they teach. Paul said, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?” (Rom. 2:21) Jesus first did and taught (Acts 1:1). So must Bible teachers.
There are a lot of good qualified Bible teachers among us and we commend each and every one. Let’s all, as Bible teachers, find our place, get in it and stay in it.
Guardian of Truth XXXII: 10, p. 293
May 19, 1988