Imagine if everyone would be on the same page in terms of our overall goal! When we work as a coordinated whole, we tend to see more growth in that direction. People with varying spiritual gifts and ministry positions bring different perspectives, or aspects, to the same objective. When presented in different ways and a variety of settings, these priorities keep getting reinforced leading to a greater potential of becoming a reality. — So, the question becomes, “What is the page everyone should get on?”.
The Same Page We All Should Be On
Our overall goal should reflect God’s big picture. His primary objective is that we become lovers of God and people (Matt. 22:37-40) who walk in the light as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7) becoming more and more conformed to our Lord Jesus (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:14-16). Getting there is a growth process (Col. 1:9-12; 2 Pet. 3:18) wherein we constantly change …
- becoming less and less lovers of self to lovers of God and others,
- moving out of darkness and into His glorious light,
- conforming less and less with the world and more and more into Christlikeness.
So, the page we need to get everyone on is that of seeing changed lives so we become more fully devoted followers and lovers of God.
The Network Needed to Increase the Potential for Changed Lives
God’s intent is that everyone has a part in the process. He wants us to “all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” so we’re not “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming”. As we speak “the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph. 4:13-16)
While teachers do have a major role, teaching for changed lives, they need a network of support beginning with leadership on through parents, teacher’s helpers, and any other believers involved in their students’ sphere of influence.
Bible teachers must keep the goal of changed lives ever before them. We help our students not only gain knowledge but true understanding that leads to change. We must keep coming back to this goal. A good starting point could be the Teaching for Changed Lives Workbook available from Ministry Tools Resource Center.
Teacher’s helpers must understand their role in working toward that goal. Teacher training efforts must keep bringing them back to this goal as well so their actions, words, and attitudes model and reinforce the overall goal.
Leaders are responsible to train teachers toward this goal but also provide structures, budgets, and other tools to assist in this process. The entire leadership team should be on the same page, which will in turn reinforce it in teachers. Check out this resource: Christian Education Leadership Team Training
Parents need to view the Christian education ministry of the church as a supplement to their primary role as disciplers, not a substitute. The church can help them understand their role. For Resources, go to: Biblical Parenting Resources
What part might you have in helping people experience changed lives?
The overall purpose of Ministry Tools Resource Center is to equip believers for ministry. So, in light of Ephesians 4:11-16, the Train Bible Teachers Blog primarily exists for these reasons: