Articles
I WANT TO BE A TEACHER FOR THE LORD!
In the same verse the apostle Paul explained the need and purpose for evangelists, he lists
teachers (Ephesians 4:11-13). The purpose for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers is so that we, as children of God, may grow in knowledge and maturity, so as to become
more like Christ. Teachers are a vital part of the church.
Ira North, preacher for the Madison church of Christ in Nashville, TN for 32 years, was
convinced that how the Bible School went would determine how the church would go. Scripture
bears this out as time and time again, we are encouraged and challenged to spend time in Bible
study, so as to grow (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; 1 Peter 2:1-3; etc.). It is also noted that
whenever a congregation of God’s people were not growing, the lack of knowledge and Bible
teaching was at its root. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again
for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to
need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12). “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to
spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid
food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are
still fleshly” (1 Cor. 3:1-3). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in
accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside
to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
There are those in the brotherhood who argue against the need for Bible Schools,
suggesting that there is no Scriptural precedent found. And even though we may not find “Bible
School” specifically mentioned, you can see through the history of the early church (beginning in
Acts 2:42) a constant hungering, thirsting and devotion to know God’s Word and the life
demanded in the covenant relationship with God.
To our Bible School teachers, we say thank you for your commitment and dedication to
teaching our children (and older folks) God’s Word from week to week. Your task is not a
simple one, but one which demands much time in prayer and preparation. We thank you for
teaching faithfully of the great men and women of God and planting the seed of faith in our little
children, in the hopes of producing fruit in later years of life.
And for those not currently teaching (for whatever reason), we encourage you to accept
the command of the Lord by “going into all the world…”, beginning right here in our Bible
classes from week to week. May we all want to be teachers for the Lord! ~P. Mowrer
