It’s the middle of August, and therefore people are thinking about getting back into the routine of the school year. Every year around this time, I am mindful of the great work that teachers do to educate our children. I appreciate the hard work to get their classrooms and learning environments ready for the ideal atmosphere for education. I appreciate their work throughout the school year to mentor, guide, and teach our children.
Have you ever thought about the hard work that goes into teaching our Bible classes at church? I can’t speak to every church everywhere, but I can speak to how we do things here at NHCOC. I know the work that goes on year-round here at North Heights, and I realize it’s not an easy task. Teaching the Bible is a huge responsibility. Not only should teachers take it seriously, but parents, students, and church leaders should show their support and encouragement for the job well done. Here are a few things we should keep in mind.
Teachers should stick to teaching the text of the Holy Scriptures. They should not be standing on a soapbox harping on kids or trying to unteach a worldly culture. Just teach the text, and God’s holy book will do the work of teaching our kids how to behave. I know this because it’s the greatest book of all, and I’ve seen it work. It’s dependable, reliable, and incredible!
Parents should make it a priority to teach the Bible at home and bring their kids to Bible classes regularly. I know it’s easy to find any and all excuses of why your kids don’t have to be there, but I have seen in my 40+ years of going to Bible classes the difference between kids that do and kids that don’t.
Students should prepare their minds and hearts to learn from the teacher who is using the Bible as the lesson plan. It’s essential for students to come to bible class on time and ready to engage. I know this is what is expected of them in their secular education and what teachers desire from their students every morning. Shouldn’t we expect the same from students in their biblical education? Students need to know and feel that the Bible classroom is a safe place to be challenged to learn the ancient words from the biblical text.
Leaders should support and encourage all people involved in the education program, from babies to adults. I wonder if our leaders know what our curriculum teaches our 1st and 2nd graders. I wonder if our leaders know what is being taught in the 5th and 6th-grade classes this fall? I wonder if they know what our youth group is learning on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Do our leaders know what will be taught in the adult classes that are offered? I hope so, but if not, they need to because they have a responsibility to support and encourage, and if they are unaware, that makes that job impossible.
Really it boils down to this…
Everyone has a job to do in some way or another to help educate ourselves in the text of the scriptures, and if we don’t take it seriously, then it’s not a privilege to teach and learn. It becomes a burden and a source of weakness.
Teach and learn the text!!!
I love you,
Alex