By bro Lee Tian Seng
Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus Christ commanded that we should preach the Gospel and teach Christians to observe His teachings. However, not everyone qualifies to be a teacher. The Bible teaches that God expects certain qualities in a teacher of His word.
James 3:1-2 - My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
The writer James warned in James 3:1 that teachers will receive greater condemnation. Why is that so? The reason is implied in the next verse: the words spoken by teachers are crucial, and they can either edify or stumble their students. If teachers do not faithfully teach the doctrines of God, they will lead their students to eternal damnation with their false doctrines.
Therefore, the key qualification of teachers is that they teach the true doctrines of God. To do that, teachers must hold the sound doctrines of God. For example, if a teacher believes that baptism is not essential for salvation, then he or she holds a false doctrine and should not be assigned to teach in the church.
2 Timothy 1:13 - Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Teachers should only teach sound doctrines. They should not teach falsely or teach other things but the Word of God from the Bible.
Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
1 Peter 4:11 - If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
To be able to teach sound doctrines, teachers need to diligently study the Word of God. Good teachers love studying the Bible and read it often. They are also willing to learn from other able Bible teachers and spend time and effort to prepare Bible lessons.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The other requirement is that teachers need to live by the Word of God. That means they need to live according to the teachings of Christ and be good examples. Why is this important?
Firstly, Bible teachers are Christians and so they should be constant followers of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
For instance, teachers should be regular in attending worship on Sunday and be with the church whenever they assemble.
Acts 20:7 - And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Secondly, teachers are not just teaching but also modelling correct behaviour for their students.
If they do not practice what they teach, their students may be stumbled by their inconsistency. Teachers are not perfect but should strive to be exemplary in their speech, conduct, service, faith, and purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
In conclusion, the importance of being examples is not just a choice because teaching cannot be effective without the teachers living up to what they teach.
Romans 2:21 - Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Lev 10:8-11 - And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
It would be difficult for teachers to teach their students to worship God if they themselves neglect worshipping God on Sunday. Also, it would be difficult for teachers who drink alcoholic beverages to teach their students not to do so. Teachers must teach by showing.
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