Dear BPCWAians, We thank God for seeing many students return back into our midst for the start of a new university term, and for the start of a new school semester for students. For students to learn, teachers play an important role. And this is most critical in the Church of God. So today, we want to understand the role of teachers a bit better, particularly within the church. The Bible tells us what is important in teaching, and in teachers.
Uphold God’s Truth. God’s truth is absolute. Teachers of the world present all theories as valid for the student to choose their “preference”. But Bible teachers cannot do so. They must point students to God’s Truth alone. It is the strait gate and the narrow way. Hence, they present the whole counsel of God, and not just what man likes to hear. They must also warn against the way that leads to destruction. Right ways must be enforced, and at the same time, errors must be corrected. This is no easy task, because it may offend some. But the study of God is the highest study that man can pursue, and God can only be known in the hearts of those who fear Him.
Be Students of the Bible themselves. As parents would attest to, no one would trust sending their child to a teacher who has not spent time and effort in in-depth study of the subject that they teach. The Bible commands study: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) We teach God’s Truth, so we must be accurate. The Bible teacher must study hard to present to the students what God says. Teachers cannot be lazy and careless, and “make it up along the way”. Worshippers are looking for answers from the Bible. In fact, as the Teens QnA has proven, children often ask questions that adults don’t even think of! And so, we must not misrepresent God with our own opinions or the world’s philosophies. For this to be so, every teacher of God’s Word, whether you are teaching children, youths, or adults, should first be a diligent Bible student. If you are teaching or facilitating in BPCWA, you must be committed first to having a systematic and ongoing study of the Word yourself. The teacher of Scriptures must first be a diligent student of it.
Be examples for the students. Perhaps the most difficult part of all, is your life. Teachers will stand before God with a greater accountability (Jas 3:1). In all 3 of the Synoptic Gospels, Christ warns of the seriousness of stumbling His little ones (Mt 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lu 17:2). Christ often rebuked the Pharisees and scribes for not living out what they taught (Mt 23:3). The lesson does not end in the classroom. Students inevitably look up to their teachers. What teachers do and how they live, the students will emulate. Do you teach Biblical separation but ignore it in your personal walk and choices? Do you teach against worldliness but live a life of covetousness? This is what your students will learn. Dear parents and teachers, be very mindful of how we live, because our children and students are watching!
Assist in Building Up the Church in the Unity of the Faith. When teaching about Pastors (who are the teaching elders, or called “pastors and teachers” in Eph 4:11), Apostle Paul states that one of God’s purpose for them is to teach so that in the church,“… 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:” (Eph 4:13). But Pastors are finite humans, and cannot be in every group at the same time. So, I thank God for raising teachers for the adults and children’s Sunday school classes and the Friday night fellowship groups. Since they assist in teaching, they must have the same aim. Every one assigned must realise that their purpose is to contribute to the edification of the church towards a unity based on God’s Word. This is God’s mandate for all teachers of His Word. With this same purpose amongst teachers, students would not be confused and “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” (Eph 4:14). That is why in selecting teachers (though admittedly not a failproof mechanism), we begin with those who are church members, who have pledged their belief in the same faith and practice. In doing so, whether we, our children or our friends attend Sunday School classes or fellowship groups, we have the assurance that we will all be growing in one mind.
Having studied what the Bible requires of teachers of God’s Word, let us continue to pray for the teachers and the teaching of God’s Word at BPCWA. It is my personal prayer and desire, that God will raise a next generation of faithful soldiers for Him, ones that will love and defend His truth, whatever the cost. “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).
Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor