Will You Help Teach Our Children?

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Part of the work of this local church is to evangelize and edify. Within the assemblies and Bible classes, the target of this part of the churches work are our children.

B.        Since children learn on different levels depending upon their age, this local church provides Bible classes in addition to our regular worship services. These Bible classes help to provide a teaching environment that is suited to the different learning levels of our children.

C.        However, our Bible class situation is facing a grave problem. We are lacking a crucial element in the process of helping to teach the younger generation of this congregation.

D.        I will address this grave problem by first showing from the Bible that children must be taught.

I.         CHILDREN MUST BE TAUGHT.

            A.        Parents’s responsibility.

                        1.         Fathers - Ephesians 6:4

                        2.         Mother, grandmother - Timothy’s case (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15)

            B.        Self responsibility - is affected by age

                        1.         Self study (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15)

                        2.         Self application - Examine yourself (Galatians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:5)

                        3.         This level is determined by age of the child. The younger the child, the more guidance and direction they in need.

                                    a.         Depending upon the age of the child and his educational development, you cannot simply say, “Read the Bible and you will learn.”

                                    b.         You, as the adult have to teach. As the child grows older and develops mentally, then he will be able to simply read the Bible and walk away with an understanding and comprehension.

            C.        Church’s responsibility

                        1.         Trickle down theory - parents are taught during the assembly and the parents in turn teach their children.

                                    a.         Paul told Timothy to charge the brethren not to teach any other doctrine. (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

                                    b.         Paul told Timothy to instruct the brethren. (1 Timothy 4:6-7, 11)

                                    c.         Timothy was to give attention to reading, exhortation, and to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)

                                    d.         Timothy was to give instructions to the rich. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

                                    e.         Timothy was to hold fast the pattern of sound words. (2 Timothy 1:13)

                                    f.         Timothy was to teach faithful men. (2 Timothy 2:2)

                                    g.         Timothy was to remind the brethren. (2 Timothy 2:14)

                                    h.         Timothy was to preach the word. (2 Timothy 4:2)

                        2.         The Bible classes offered by the local church should enhance or build upon what the parents have already taught the children at home.

II.       WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BIBLE CLASSES?

            A.        Not to entertain

                        1.         Summer VBS - good idea, but not designed to entertain

                        2.         Bible classes can be enlightening, but the goal should never be to “entertain”

            B.        Not babysitters

            C.        Not to be the sole source of Bible education in the life of the child

            D.        The purpose of the Bible classes is to teach the children the word of God, to enhance and strengthen the teaching provided by the parents.

III.      TO HAVE BIBLE CLASSES, YOU MUST HAVE STUDENTS.

            A.        This is an obvious point. If a local church has no younger people attending their services, then, other than a possible adult class, there will not be the need for other classes.

            B.        Consider our congregation {use this section to give a brief list of the families and their class age children}.

                        1.         Visitors, friends of members, family members, etc.

                        2.         Total = at least _____ children when all are present

            C.        The ages of these children range from ___ years old to ______ years old.

            D.        We have enough students to have the following class structure:

                        1.         3, 4, and 5 year old

                        2.         1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade

                        3.         4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade

                        4.         7^th to 12^th grade

IV.      TO HAVE BIBLE CLASSES, YOU MUST HAVE TEACHERS.

            A.        (It is during these section that we will address the grave problem which our Bible classes face.)

            B.        The Lord did not leave the teaching process up to the preacher and elders. The church should possess members who are willing to teach.

                        1.         The Lord placed teachers within the church. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

                        2.         James issued the following warning, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1, NKJV)

            C.        Ideal situation: 3 teachers for each age group = 12 teachers working on a rotation system.

                        1.         Rotation system explained

                                    a.         First 13 weeks: Teacher (A) on Sunday, Teacher (B) on Wednesday, Teacher (C) on break

                                    b.         Second 13 weeks: Teacher (C) on Sunday, Teacher (A) on Wednesday, Teacher (B) on break

                                    c.         Third 13 weeks: Teacher (B) on Sunday, Teacher (C) on Wednesday, Teacher (A) on break.

                                    d.         Fourth 13 weeks: Teacher (A) on Sunday, Teacher (B) on Wednesday, Teacher (C) on break.

                        2.         The rotation would allow each teacher to take a 13 week break once every three quarters or to put it another way, two our of three teachers would teach for 3 quarters a year. One out of three teachers would teach for 2 quarters a year.

            D.        What if we do not have enough teachers or enough members willing to teach? What should we do?

                        1.         Should we assume that if we have classes, teachers will come?

                        2.         Should we put the responsibility of teaching all the classes upon the shoulders of a handful of teachers?

                        3.         It is easy to sit in the adult class, your children going through the door and down the hall and assume that someone is there to teach your child.

                        4.         It is easy to say, “We need classes.” But, if we do not have either students or enough teachers, then how can we have Bible classes?

CONCLUSION.

A.        If this local church is going to have Bible classes, then we need teachers. Are you willing to be a teacher?

1.          Are you a new convert, then your place is in a class.

2.         Have you never taught class before? We can help you learn.

3.         You say you do not have enough time to prepare a lesson. If you have time to watch television, read a book, or read your Bible, then you have time to prepare a Bible lesson, especially if you spread out the study over a four or five day time span.

4.         You say that you have taught before, but you taught for four years straight. We still have children who need to be taught. In any case, with enough people willing to teach and proper attention given to our teaching system, then your teaching abilities should not be abused.

B.         If we have enough people willing to teach, then we can create a situation where you will not have to teach quarter after quarter after quarter. Instead, you can take a break and enjoy the adult class.

C.        Our children should be learning at home. But if this church is going to help supplement the parental teaching, then we need members who are willing to teach our younger generation.

Will You Help Teach Our Children? -- September 12, 2004 -- File # 25 - Bible (Classes)

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK