How can we enhance the effectiveness of our education program? Periodically, it helps to stop and take inventory of our Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes in an effort to see ways we can improve. What criteria are used in measuring the success of our Bible school? Is attendance the only measure? Are souls being saved? Are lives being changed?
To build a great Bible school, the following are necessary:
SHARED PURPOSE Paul describes an activity of Jesus in His church with a particular aim or purpose in mind. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). Such words as "equipping," "building up," "mature," and "fullness of Christ" emphasize Jesus' teaching purpose in the 1st century and should be our teaching purpose in the 21st century.
GREAT TEACHERS Ray Fulenwider wrote, "God had only one Son, and they called him 'Teacher.' God can bestow no greater honor upon you than to place His Book in your hands and call you teacher. The Bible school has: the greatest message-the gospel; the greatest audience-the world; the greatest textbook-the Bible; the greatest opportunity-for saving souls; the greatest person on earth-the Bible school teacher." What a tremendous responsibility to be a teacher of God's Word (James 3:1). Teachers must love the Lord, love His Word, and love their students.
BALANCED CURRICULUM Material should be aimed at various stages of development. Textual, topical, practical, historical, and doctrinal studies should be included. Our Bible school should meet the challenge of addressing a wide range of specific spiritual needs. As Ira North observed that BALANCE was the key to the growth of the Madison church, this is certainly true of our curriculum as well.
EVANGELISM EMPHASIS "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls" (Proverbs 11:30). Everything we do in the work of the Lord should contribute toward bringing the lost to Christ (Luke 19:10). The Bible class is more than simply conveying facts; it involves a teacher's heart in applying Bible truth with love and concern for the lost (Ephesians 4:15).
What can our Bible school be with God's help and with your help? Will you help by being a part of the solution? Let's continue to reach out effectively to men, women, boys and girls with the gospel! We can accomplish great things for the Lord's glory.
