What is a teacher’s role?
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-6
When we teach the Bible, we are partnering with all the saints of the gospels across the ages in communicating the words the Lord left us to study and know so that we could know him and make him known.
See yourself as a partner with other saints in the past.
Who is in your classroom or small group?
Think about why your Bible study group or class comes to see you each week.
- Do they need nurturing?
- Where are they in their knowledge of the Lord?
- How do you teach those who are seasoned students of the Bible as well as those who sit quietly, still trying to determine if Christianity is right for them?
It is crucial that you create a lesson that works for everyone.
What is the central purpose of Bible study?
As a teacher it’s your job to focus on the central reason people are there — to study God’s word, but never lose sight of the other reasons people come to the room.
Understand your lesson might be the only Bible study some people in your class experience that week. Know their faces and names, making sure you provide them a lesson from God’s perfect word.
God has a plan for you every time you teach. When we teach God’s word, God accomplishes his purpose through us.
“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
The key is in knowing what God’s purpose is for the day. Make it your goal every time you teach to remember that you have a high and holy calling. You are partnering with the saints from the past in teaching his word. His word is what matters; ours are secondary.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
God’s word stands forever, God’s word is truth, and God’s word never returns void. It has a purpose that God wants to accomplish through his Holy Spirit.
Called and Equipped
Teachers are simply humans with a high calling.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” James 3:1-2
- A person should be called to teach God’s word and gifted by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the task.
- If we teach God’s word, we are held to a higher level of responsibility for how we live our lives.
- Remember though, to give yourself grace. No one is perfect and no one will ever teach a perfect lesson. But trust that anything God teaches through you is perfected.
