Category Archives: Teacher Qualities

To effectively teach and admonish our students, we need the right message. Notice how the message of Christ is to “dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish” (Col. 3:16).

There’s an intensity about that.

The Kind of Intensity That Should Accompany Our Teaching and Admonishing

God looks for zeal based upon knowledge (Rom. 10:2), not merely an emotional response. “Desire (zeal) without knowledge is not good” (Prov. 19:2). Consequently, even a discussion-based format needs to take root in the Word. It’s so easy to get off on tangents that fail to bring God’s Word into consideration. We need to keep the Bible central in our teaching. That’s the foundation for teaching that leads to changed lives.

How Colossians 3:16 Supports a Fervent Approach that Keeps the Message Central

Two words suggest the fervency with which we adhere to the centrality of God’s Word:

“dwell” – To dwell suggests it takes up residency. Scripture needs to occupy its rightful place. It should inhabit all we say and do.

“richly” – To richly dwell suggests more than a small spot reserved for it to reside. The message needs to be abundantly made known, not merely a tack on.

Intense About the Word Yet …

Colossians 3:16 includes a caveat that suggests how we handle our fervency. — “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom …” (Col. 3:16).

This is a wisdom that comes from God that will keep us humble and respectful. — “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

When we come into a classroom or small group to teach God’s Word, we don’t check ourselves at the door. Though our objective should be for God to work through us, we are still the visible vessel. Here are a couple of questions about a Bible teacher’s life.

Questions About a Bible Teacher’s Life and Qualities

How much does a teacher’s life really matter?

As teachers, our lives teach, not just our words. In fact, our lives can end up contradicting the lessons we verbally teach, which can be quite detrimental. Jesus spoke much against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and teachers of His day. (Also Read: Hypocrisy Affects Our Teaching)

What’s in our heart will eventually come out in the way we treat students, in how we approach classroom discipline or other issues, in our actions and reactions, and even in the words we use. — “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Lk. 6:45)

In addition to this question about a teacher’s life, the Bible Teacher’s Handbook of Frequently Asked Questions responds to these questions:

• Is there one top quality a Bible teacher should possess?
• How can I become more of the kind of teacher who will make a difference?

The handbook answers a total of 153 questions covering 49 different topics related to Bible teaching.

In a world marked by false teaching (Titus 1), the Apostle Paul exhorted Titus, “You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

We already looked at the first part of the verse, noting that his voice was to stand in contrast to such errancy. The second part of the verse shows us that he also needed a consistent voice — “teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.”

As noted, the Greek word translated “teach” in that verse (laleo) is not the typical word used for what we would think of as teaching. It simply refers to speaking or using your voice. The word for doctrine (didaskalia), however, comes from the root word normally used for teaching (didasko).

In other words, whenever, however, or about whatever, Titus spoke into the people’s lives it was to be in accordance with (appropriate or fitting to) sound teaching. — That’s consistency. The Greek word for “sound” is hygiaino, similar to the English word “hygiene” — clean, free from contagions …. not corrupt, healthy.

With what is a Bible teacher’s voice to be consistent?

The only truly “hygiene” teaching to use as a standard would be that which comes from a Holy God who is perfect, just, and right in all His ways. These are words that stand the test of time, unchanging and absolute.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.  (1 Pet. 1:23-25)

In what ways is this consistency demonstrated in Bible teachers?

Obviously we must be consistent in terms of content. We need to speak truth that aligns with God’s intent. And so, as Bible teachers, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” (2 Tim. 2:16-17)

Consistency shows itself at all times and places. We always seek to speak in ways “appropriate to sound doctrine” whether that’s during the Bible lesson or outside of the class time. We don’t compartmentalize based on where we are or scheduled activities.

Consistent voices go beyond vocal communication to actions or processes. Everything not only said, but also done, is in congruence with God and His Word. How we live reflects what we teach so we avoid hypocrisy which taints the message.

With such consistency, we are then ready to speak into the lives of those we teach, about how they too can live in ways “appropriate to sound doctrine” — that which aligns with the teachings of a Holy God.

We’ve been looking at lessons on being adaptable Bible teachers from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. If you haven’t read any of those posts, click on the links below:

Perspective Needed to Adapt
Purpose Behind Adapting
Particulars of Adapting

While adapting is biblical based on passages like the one we’ve been looking at, it does bring some challenges.

Possible Problems Bible Teachers Need to Avoid as They Seek to Adapt

Sometimes we can begin with the right intentions but over time lose sight of the real purpose behind adapting. Classes then become little more than entertainment or worldly chatter.

Sometimes we can go too far, compromising the truth of God’s Word or losing Christ-like integrity in the process. We become like them instead of winning them to the Lord or establishing them in His Word.

How the Apostle Paul Avoided These Problems when Adapting to Those He Served

Having the right perspective and purpose behind adapting, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, certainly laid the foundation for avoiding the above mentioned problems. Here are two more takeaways from Paul’s example in being adaptable:

1) He knew where to draw the line. Notice he said “I” adapted, not the message or who God is.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (1 Cor. 9:22)

We don’t change God to make Him more palatable for our generation. We don’t make Jesus or God according to our liking. God is who He is as described in the Bible.

The truth, or message, did not change, just how it was presented. All Scripture is inspired and useful (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Who are we to pick and choose what is relevant and what can be disregarded?

2) He kept the focus where it belonged. Paul concluded these thoughts with, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Cor. 9:23).

We do what we do for the advancement of the Gospel, not for our own sakes, and not even just for the sake of our students. There’s a bigger agenda to which God invites our participation. If we fall prey to compromising the message or losing Christ-like integrity in the process of adapting, we won’t see lives changed. We will be robbing the cross of its power (1 Cor. 1:17-18). However, when we see people come to know Jesus as their Savior, and grow in their relationship with Him, we’re experiencing the power of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16) at work. That’s the real blessing in teaching.