Teachers

I.         There is a duty or office in the church of teacher

            A.         Ephesians 4:11-16 - Along with the evangelist, the teacher is to equip Christians for their work of service to God, to unite them in a common purpose, and to help everyone reach spiritual maturity.

            B.         I Corinthians 12:28-29; Romans 12:7 - Some, but not all, are teachers

                        1.         Examples of teachers - Acts 13:1

            C.         If someone is designated a teacher, then there must be students - Galatians 6:6

                        1.         If we have a teacher and students, then there must be a class.

                        2.         Just from this verse we can conclude that a church is to teach the Scriptures to its members through classes taught by teachers.

            D.        Teaching is separate from preaching, though closely related - Acts 5:42; 15:35; 28:31

II.        Teaching is about communicating knowledge - I Corinthians 14:19

            A.        Its purpose is to get people to mature - Colossians 1:28

            B.        A building up of the members - Ephesians 4:12-13

            C.        Motivated by love - I Timothy 1:5

            D.        Persuading people - Acts 19:8; 28:23-24

            E.        Teachers are not the source of law, but the explainers of the law - Nehemiah 8:8

III.       All Christians need to develop the ability to teach

            A.        II Timothy 2:24-26 - Able to teach and then explains how to teach.

            B.        Hebrews 5:12 - Teaching is something you grow up to do

            C.        You can’t teach what you do not know - I Timothy 1:7

            D.        The example of Ezra - Ezra 7:10

                        1.         He prepared (studied) - II Timothy 2:15

                        2.         He practiced (applied his knowledge to his own life)

                        3.         He taught it to others

            E.        Teaching benefits both the teacher and the student - I Timothy 4:16

IV.      James 3:1 - But not all Christians will take on the duties of a teacher.

            A.        It holds heavy responsibility that many are not mature enough to handle.

            B.        You are accountable for everything you say.

            C.        Can teach no other doctrine - I Timothy 1:3; 6:3-5

            D.        Teaching to observe all things - Matthew 28:19-20

V.        How classes are conducted is up to the individual congregations.

            A.        One-on-one

                        1.         Sometimes done when an individual has a specific problem

                        2.         Acts 18:24-28 - The example of Apollos

            B.        In people’s homes and in public arenas - Acts 20:20

            C.        In facilities that a church has rented, purchased, or borrowed - Acts 19:9

            D.        In worship - I Corinthians 14:26

            E.        In combination of the above.

            F.        However it is done, one thing is certain - a church is required to have teachers instructing the Bible.

VI.      Restrictions on teachers

            A.        Pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith - I Timothy 1:5

            B.        Taught by faithful men - II Timothy 2:2

            C.        Women are not allowed to teach men - I Timothy 2:12

            D.        Older women are to teach the younger women - Titus 2:3