BEN F. VICK, JR.
Many of us can look back at the time when we were students sitting at the feet of various teachers and remember what characteristics we appreciated in them. Perhaps the following marks (and maybe others) cause one teacher or more to stand out as the best Bible teacher in your memory.
The best Bible teacher is the faithful teacher. Paul wrote, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (II Tim. 2:2.) No matter how well one is able to present the subject matter to one’s students, if one is not faithful in attendance and service to God, one is a poor teacher. (I Cor. 4:2.)
The best Bible teacher is the prepared teacher. No student appreciates an unprepared teacher. The Lord does not look pleasingly upon a teacher who enters the classroom and wanders aimlessly through a lesson. Just as Ezra, the scribe, “prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel the statutes and judgements” (Ezra 7:10), so should every teacher make adequate preparation. Even those who desire to teach some time in the future should begin now making preparations. Jesus prepared for 30 years in order to teach for about 3 1/2 years of ministry. (Luke 3:23.)
The best Bible teacher is the enthusiastic teacher. One who enjoys teaching the Bible will soon develop students who enjoy studying the Bible. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col. 3:23.) If one does not have this characteristic, one should not be teaching. The molding of lives should not be placed into the hands of apathetic potters.
The best Bible teacher is a caring teacher. A teacher should care for his students. If they are absent from class, the teacher makes an immediate effort to find out why by dropping them a note in the mail, calling on the phone, or even going and visiting those who need encouragement. (Psa. 142:4; Acts 2:44; 4:32.)
The best Bible teacher is a Bible teacher. The Bible teacher is not an arts and crafts teacher. He is not as concerned with cutting out, pasting, and coloring as much as teaching the word of God. (Deut. 6:7.) The best Bible teacher is one who places emphasis on Bible study, Bible memorization, Bible knowledge, and Bible application rather than other subjects. Leave the pagan holidays for the world, but let us hold up God’s word. (I Tim. 3:15.)
The best Bible teacher is one who continues to grow (II Pet. 3:18) and go (I Cor. 15:58). God’s word is a rich volume, and in three lifetimes one could not learn it all. (Rom. 11:33-36.) Not only does he continue to grow spiritually, but go spiritually is, he is not a quitter. He has “stick-to-itiveness” (Rev. 2:10.)
The best Bible teacher was Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:1.) Follow him. (I Pet. 2:21.)