Category Archives: Teacher Qualities

Many situations call for Bible teachers to be adaptable. We already covered some in the post, Adaptable Bible Teacher. But, perhaps one of the more difficult situations to know how to adapt relates to people’s belief systems which is what we find in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 where Paul says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).

Notice Paul’s willingness to adapt for “all” people — “everyone” — not just those he agreed with or was most comfortable with.

In the classroom we will find people at varying places in their belief systems as did Paul in his day. We need to determine where people stand in their walk with God and plan for ways to meet them where they are with the purpose of bringing them more fully into alignment with where God is and who they are in Him.

Particulars of Adapting Depend on Who You’re Teaching

The Apostle Paul narrowed it down to those with the law (primarily the Jews), those without the law, and the weak.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law … To those not having the law I became like one not having the law … To the weak I became weak … (1 Cor. 9:20-22)

This Scripture passage doesn’t detail how Paul adapted to these different belief systems but we can find examples elsewhere.

Examples of adapting to those under the law:

• Acts 21:23-26 – He participated in Jewish purification ceremonies though not necessary.
• Acts 16:3 – He had Timothy, of Greek descent, circumcised according to Jewish law.

Example of adapting to those without the law:

• Acts 17:19-34 – He reasoned with the philosophers, even going to their marketplace. He zeroed in on what he had observed about them as a platform from which to jump to what they needed to know about Christ. He referenced their poets.

Example of adapting to the weak:

• Rom. 14:1; 15:1-3; 1 Cor. 8:7 – He was willing to forego some of his freedoms in Christ, in non-essential areas, so as not to become a stumbling block.

Belief Systems Bible Teachers Might Encounter Requiring Particular Ways of Adapting

Not many Bible teachers will have both Jewish and Gentile students in their classes but they may have those in their class who are staunch or rigid in their beliefs about non-essentials as well as those who are more open or eclectic in their beliefs. Some may be insecure in their convictions. Perhaps some will be legalistic or dogmatic. Other might be relativistic holding to little or no true biblical authority. And some may be doubtful or self-condemning.

Whatever the variable may be, adaptable Bible teachers will determine if there are ways they can accommodate, identify with, or be sensitive to where there students are. Teachers may be able to …

• Accommodate by incorporating some of the ceremonies, liturgies, or ideas students prefer and then use it to take them to a deeper level, a fuller understanding, etc.
• Identify with them by using relevant illustrations from their culture, beginning where they are and pulling them back to the truth of God’s Word.
• Be sensitive by purposefully avoiding that which might cause them to stumble or doubt, patiently waiting for them to grow in their walk with the Lord and understanding of His Word.

All of this needs to be done without compromising truth or losing Christ-like integrity — the topic of the next post.

In addition to the perspectives needed to adapt provided in the last post, we also need the right purpose if we’re going to take a biblical approach to adapting in our ministries.

Reasons Bible Teachers Might Give for Adapting

We might think Bible teachers should be adaptable to keep up with the times in which we live. If we’re going to attract students to our classes we need to show them that we’re relevant and current, tolerant and accepting, innovative and creative.

We might reason that Bible teachers need to be adaptable in order to be good teachers. As they stretch themselves, sometimes beyond their comfort zones, in order to be flexible in their teaching, they could become more creative teachers and potentially have better lessons.

While the above mentioned reasons have some merit, a look at 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 takes us to a deeper purpose behind adapting. It’s about more than looking relevant. It’s about more than being a good teacher or teaching great lessons.

The Biblical Purpose Behind Adapting

The Apostle Paul gave these reasons for being adaptable:

I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Cor. 9:19)

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

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Cor. 9:23)

Paul was willing to do almost anything, apart from sin, if it would lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As an evangelist, Paul’s objective behind adapting related primarily to the saving of souls through the power of the Gospel. Elsewhere Paul said, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Cor. 10:32-33)

We too should adapt as needed to lead students who don’t know Jesus to accept Him as their Savior. But as Bible teachers our prime objective would be to see lives transformed into more fully devoted followers of Jesus. We should be willing to do what it takes, apart from sin, to not only “make disciples” in terms of salvation but also in “teaching them to obey everything” Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:18-20).

When Bible teachers adapt to where their students are, they’re then able to take students to the next step in their spiritual journey. People can usually only understand one step beyond where they are. If we don’t reach people where they are we are likely going to try to take them to someplace they are not yet ready to go.

Teacher Training Resource: Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students Toward Spiritual Growth

Though suggesting the need for Bible teachers to adapt, one of the qualities listed in the Be-Attitudes for Teachers, not everyone will find that easy. Whether because of personality or upbringing, some teachers will dig in their heels and push through their agendas regardless of the effect. Others may find it easy to adapt but for the wrong reasons … because they’re people-pleasers or because they don’t really have convictions themselves.

In the next several posts we will see from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 that there is a higher eternal purpose for being adaptable but we have to not only know how to adapt but in what. Foundational to a biblical approach to adaptability is having the right perspective.

Biblical Perspective Needed to Adapt in Ways That Count for Eternity

We find perspective in the first verse of the passage we’ll be breaking down to gain a better understanding:

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Cor. 9:19)

1) Know your place in the Lord.

Paul made two assertions about His position in the Lord: 1) He was free. 2) He belonged to no one.

So it is with us. Jesus came to set us free … from sin, the law, and anything that would enslave our souls. — “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (Jn. 8:36) And, we do not belong to anyone but the Lord. — “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10)

As Bible teachers, we’re first and foremost accountable to the Lord. Only He deserves our full allegiance. And, only He can give us all we need and make our lives full and meaningful. We will not find our significance in teaching but rather in Him. When we look to Him as our Source, we aren’t dependent on the applause of our students or everything going our way to feel good about what we’re doing. Because we aren’t holding on tightly to anyone or anything other than the Lord, we can let go and adapt as needed.

2) Choose to let go of your rights.

Just because we’re free doesn’t mean we have to live for ourselves. Rather, if we truly want to live in the fullness of our position in Christ, we choose the way of love and looking out for the good of others. Elsewhere Paul wrote, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Gal. 5:14)

One of the rights Paul gave up included his right to be materially or financially rewarded for his service seen in the context of prior verses. He said, “But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Cor. 1:12). In other situations He did take support but in this case he adapted, choosing to let go of His rights for the greater good, for the specific people He served. Notice the wording in Paul’s statement, “I have made myself a slave”.

What you or I need to let go of as Bible teachers for the good of others may vary. Be sure of this, however, that we will have to make choices as teachers that may cost in terms of our time, agenda, opinions and preferences, and maybe even finances should we adapt to better meet the needs of our students. Also be certain of the significance of willingly, and not begrudgingly, choosing to adapt. Those who willingly choose to let go of their rights tend to be more cheerful teachers, finding encouragement and purpose in what they’re doing. Those who do it out of obligation, because expected of them, will tend to at least inwardly grumble and complain, finding themselves more easily discouraged and resenting what their teaching takes out of them.

3) View your choice as a calling.

Paul said, “I have made myself a slave to everyone” which doesn’t at first glance sound too exciting. However when we know our place in the Lord, temporarily letting go of our rights doesn’t actually strip us of our freedom. Rather, it means we’re becoming more Christ-like. God called us for this purpose, to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29).

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. n your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:3-7)

… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matt. 20:26-28)

When we have a biblical perspective about adapting, or letting go of our rights for the good of others, we’ll view it as more of a privilege. We will gladly adapt “to win as many as possible” … the purpose, which will be the topic of the next post.

Sometimes Bible teachers believe how they live outside of class doesn’t matter. They simply need to show up and do a good job teaching. But, as we’ve already established in a previous post, even if students don’t recognize our hypocrisy, God sees right through us and He’s the One to whom we’re accountable. And, our hypocrisy does still affect our students as it’s detrimental to our teaching.

Two Ways Hypocrisy Affects Our Teaching

When Jesus identified the leaders and teachers of the law as hypocrites, He clarified what He meant by quoting from Isaiah. — “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matt. 15:7-9) — Therein we also see two effects of hypocrisy on their ministry:

1) They worship me in vain. — Hypocrisy Affects How We Teach

God looks for those who worship in spirit AND in truth (Jn. 4:23-24). When our hearts are out of alignment with His Truth, we’re merely going through the motions or are on an emotional high. Consequently we start to lose focus of God Himself. When we lose site of Him, we’re no longer walking in step with Him. We quench the Spirit within us whom we need in order to effectively teach His Word. Sure, we might employ good teaching philosophy and methodology, and even be loved by our students, but we’ll fail to bear spiritual fruit for apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value (Jn. 15:1-5).

2) Their teachings are merely human rules. — Hypocrisy Affects What We Teach

Hypocrisy leads to two sets of standards — God’s and our’s. Initially our teaching may be a bit eclectic, mixing a little of this and that in with biblical truth. But, over time, if left unchecked, whose opinions win out? Jesus confronted the hypocritical leaders and teachers of the law for not only teaching “merely human rules” (Matt. 15:7-9) but also for breaking the laws of God by their own traditions (Matt. 15:1-6). Their own opinions and traditions won. Jesus said, “Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Matt. 15:6).

Oh may it not be! Bible teachers are BIBLE teachers. How we teach and what we teach matters! Let’s prevent such hypocrisy in our lives by guarding our hearts. If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to read the previous post: Hypocrisy is a Heart Issue