God has ordained that there be teachers. Why this constant teaching and preaching? Josephus had an argument against Apion that the superiority of the Mosaic system over the Greek system was because, in part, the Mosaic system incorporated regular assemblies for the people to be reminded of the law. When Pliny, the Roman Governor of Bithinia interrogated some early Christians he noted that in their assemblies they would be instructed to abstain from theft, robbery, adultery, breach of faith etc.– all basic things that were repetitiously taught. Peter’s statement in 2 Pet. 1:12,13 speaks of reminding them of things they once knew and having these things in perpetuity after he death by way of his letters, which, were to be read and reread in the assemblies. Christianity is a teaching religion.
We are familiar to some extent with the writing styles of the N.T. writers. For example, we recognize Paul likes to focus on a thought by asking a question:- eg. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?. John likes to give both sides of the coin of a truth:- eg. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all; John confessed and denied not. James comment in Jas. 3:1 is a literary style that has perturbed many. He says, Be not many masters (teachers). Is this meant to discourage us from teaching? If it is true for one it is true for all since we are all subject to the law:- Whatsoever the law saith it saith to those under the law (Rom. 3:19) Who then could teach and who would teach if this was to stop people teaching?
For when for the time you ought to be teachers, the Hebrew writer says to Christians of some age in the faith in Heb. 5:12, implying that they should have progressed in their knowledge to the point they should have been teaching others. Is this contrary to James? Do these two inspired writers have different views of teaching? I think not, for that would mean that the Holy Spirit Himself is confused.
If James’ statement is meant to discourage teaching, when could a man take James’ admonition and say to himself, I am the exception and I should be a teacher. Wouldn’t that be presumptuous? Many statements are made for stress: eg. 1 John 2:1; If any man sin?! We might be tempted to say, Don’t you mean WHEN?! (of course that is exactly the point). John is using if any man sin in contrast with the fact he is writing to tell them not to sin. In the same way, James’ statement in 3:12 is not to discourage us from teaching, but to stress upon us the importance of teaching and the responsibility of teaching. It is not something to be entered into lightly (as we say about marriage but most of us marry). A man who teaches falsely will condemn not only himself, but those that hear him – 1 Tim. 4:16. If the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch (Matt. 5:14). But there must be teachers.
When should a person teach? When he or she loves the truth, knows what he or she affirms to be the truth and when he or she loves the lost. Are these things for an elite few? Not at all. Every Christian ought to strive for these goals. More pointedly, what Christian would not want these things in his or her life? Not everyone will do equally well in adult public teaching, or in nursery teaching, or in teenage classes or whatever, but all should strive to teach in some sphere. And there is no better plane to hone these skills than in Bible School. Teaching the Word of God is the business of every congregation of the Lord’s body, and always we need teachers. Some feel they cannot teach, but we all teach in fact. When you became a father or a mother, for instance, you inherited a teaching position (Eph. 6:4; Titus 2:4).
Many blessings are located in a certain place. For example, all spiritual blessings are found in Christ, thus one has to be in Christ to obtain all spiritual blessings. Likewise, there are some blessings that can only be found in teaching. Well, what are some? We need to say at the outset that teaching is hard work. Many blessings only come through hard work. Many blessings will therefore be denied to many people! The blessings associated with teaching are some of those which will be denied to many because it requires dedication of life and preparation of mind through diligent study (Eccles 12:12). Yet the time spent studying is worth it all. The blessings of teaching are worthy of their cost. The Bible teacher may become disheartened because he or she may underestimate the importance of the work or cannot see the good being done. Many tasks, when faithfully performed, bring a tangible or clearly defined reward such as receiving money or an academic degree, but this is often not so with teaching. Yet God wants teaching. Teaching will produce in the Teacher perseverance and patience, if nothing else.
Teaching bless the ones ho are taught. Teachers cannot see the conduct of students in the home, or at school, but if it were possible they might see positive results of teaching. For example, Mary might go home from class determined to be a better person, co-operate with her mother more, and have a sweeter disposition but the teacher likely will never know it. Jimmy goes to school with a changed heart and never cheats on an exam again because of a lesson on honesty, but the teacher never learns that. A husband may leave a class determined to be a better husband but the teacher will not know it. Another may refuse to engage in filthy chatter on the job because of a lesson on speech but the teacher will never know it. Teaching is a long-term investment. The good done may not be evident in the next few weeks, months or years even, but by the kind of men and women those who have been taught eventually become. It is a work with eternity in mind. Teaching precedes and accompanies the conversion and growth of every Christian (John 6:44,45). Paul considered the gospel as a treasure he could give to others (2 Cor. 4:7). It enriched his disciples in a way that was world-changing and eternal. Money couldn’t buy a moment of forgiveness, joy and peace he imparted when he taught (Jas. 1:21). Bible teachers do not be discouraged. In the student’s world of darkness you bring light. In a sinful society you proclaim righteousness. To ignorant students you bring knowledge. To foolish students you bring wisdom. On a journey filled with perils, pitfalls and misdirection, you bring true and safe guidance. Daniel Webster wrote; If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work with brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave upon these tablets something which will brighten to all eternity.
Teaching blesses the church. An informed and disciplined membership enjoys true peace, with God and one another. Ignorance of the Lord and His ways breeds destruction of every sort (Hos. 4:6). The scribes were a curse to Israel because they didn’t know the truth nor teach the truth (Matt.23:13).
Teaching blesses the teacher. The teacher is blessed by the extra time spent with God’s word. The Holy Spirit has a fundamental work to do and that is to sustain us, even as He sustains the natural world (Ps. 103:30). He cannot feed us if we do not feed upon His word. His word is food. Preparing lessons to bless others has the serendipity of helping the teacher (a serendipity is a fortunate discovery by accident – something you find when you’re focused on something else). You cannot help someone get closer to Heaven without getting closer yourself. A man was stumbling through a snow storm freezing to his very core. He finally fell, exhausted, and willing to just lie down in the snow, go to sleep, and die. As he fell his hand hit a fellow-traveller lying unconscious in the snow. He felt compelled to do what he could to help the man and began rubbing the man and moving his limbs to get some circulation going. In doing this he warmed himself and eventually together they staggered off to find safety and warmth. A teacher also experiences joy watching the changes and growth of his students in the grace of God. And the teacher enjoys the fruits of his association. Lifelong friendships are formed with grateful learners of the word, not to mention making heavenly friends (1 Cor. 3:14,15).
Faithful teachers, students need you. They need you to help mould their lives with the concepts of truth and righteousness. The world needs you. The world needs salt to preserve it and youngsters growing up with the influence of the salt of God’s word will be an influence for good in the world. You will impress your students for good and your students will determine how the world goes. Your students will lead the world by practicing pure morality and Christian ethics. The Lord needs you, for He works through earthen vessels to share His precious word.
I dreamed the pearly gates were open wide,
And I had entered in, for I had died,
And now must give account for all my acts,
I saw a book there opened with these facts.
I thought, “My role on this earth was small
Just teaching the Bible class my call”;
For I saw all the saints of God up there,
And mine was at most, a meagre share.
I heard the Master call for my report,
I stood afraid, for mine was short,
I trembled and felt I would not pass;
Then whispered, “I just taught a Bible class”.
And from the throne I heard a voice, “Well done;
Come in and share eternal life, my son,
Although your place was humble and obscure,
You led the thirsty to the Water pure:”
When I awoke I thought of those I’d taught,
And in their lives what glory God had wrought;
I prayed to God and all that I could say,
“Make me a better teacher day by day”.
Anon.