Category Archives: Miscellaneous Teaching Skills Needed

The psalmist rejoiced over the prospect of going to the House of the Lord. Do your students feel the same way about going to your Sunday School class, small group, or other Bible study class?

Signs Students are Glad to Go to Class

We can tell students want to go to class when they …

• come willingly not out of obligation.
• can’t wait until class begins rather than ends.
• view class as a highlight of their week not just one more place to go.
• miss being there if sick or out of town not indifferent to their absence.

What Bible Teachers Can Do to Help Students Enjoy Coming to Class

To increases the potential for students wanting to come, make class …

• enjoyable – interesting, not boring.
• a safe place to be – emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well as physically.
• relational – about personally knowing God and being in community with one another.
• relevant – tapping into their needs and everyday lives.

Consider How Age Affects Students’ Feelings about Bible Classes

First think about the specific age you teach and what would tend to make it a place they would not want to be. Click on the links below:

• A Place Adults Don’t Want to Be
• A Place Grade School Children Don’t Want to Be
• A Place Preschoolers Don’t Want to Be
• A Place Youth Don’t Want to Be

Now think about what would make it a place they’d want to be. Click on the links below:

• A Place Adults Want to Be
• A Place Grade School Children Want to Be
• A Place Preschoolers Want to Be
• A Place Youth Want to Be

We previously noted in Acts 20:27 that the Apostle Paul did not shrink back from teaching the whole counsel of God because he knew that “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)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. (Gal. 6:1)

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:23-26)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2)

Paul stayed true to the whole counsel of God, not shrinking from it, while respectfully meeting people where they were. He adapted his style or methodology –his approach, not the message.

As Bible teachers we too must teach the whole counsel of God with such adaptability, gentleness, kindness, patience, and care. The amount and depth to which we take students may vary based on their physical age level development or spiritual condition but that doesn’t mean we avoid the real issues of the Bible with them.

If we truly care about our students, we want them “thoroughly equipped for every good work” which happens when we teach like “ALL Scripture is inspired by God and useful …” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The idea of teaching the whole counsel of God comes from the Apostle Paul’s words to the elders of the Church of Ephesus  — for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27, RSV).

Depending on the translation you use, you might find counsel, will, or purpose of God. Where do we find God’s will, His purpose? — in His written Word. So, when we refer to the “whole” counsel of God, we mean the totality of the written Word — all of it — not just the feel good or easy to understand parts.

Attitude Toward Teaching the Whole Counsel of God

Notice in Acts 20:27 that the Apostle Paul said he did not shrink back or hesitate to teach them the whole counsel of God. While he didn’t purposefully set out to offend people, he was aware some would find the Truth offensive. He was not embarrassed by or ashamed of any part. He was not timid about saying what needed to be said.

The opposite of shrinking back is to move forward with confidence or boldness in proclaiming God’s Truth. Such confidence can be ours when we realize it is God’s Word we teach, not our own ideas.

Aim of Teaching The Whole Counsel of God

Undoubtedly Paul’s attitude grew out of His belief that “all” Scripture is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16-17). He didn’t just want people to know the Bible but to use it in their lives in positive, impacting ways. He wanted them to be prepared to face questions and opposition. He wanted them to have all they needed to stand victoriously.

The aim of presenting the totality of Scripture is so people can be “thoroughly” equipped, equipped, for “every” good work in all areas of their lives, not just some good in some parts of their lives. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Accountability Factor in Teaching the Whole Counsel of God

In speaking to the leaders of the church of Ephesus, Paul knew that he would probably never see them again. The Spirit had warned him of pending imprisonment. In looking back at his ministry, he said, “I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.” If the people went astray, it wouldn’t be because of him. The reason for such confidence: “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27) He gave them the Truth they needed to know.

When we have that same sense of accountability before God, we know that we must present His Word accurately (2 Tim. 2:15) but also not pick and choose what we’re comfortable with or what we think people want to hear. To meet the above mentioned aim, we must present both the easy and hard to understand parts, the feel good and not so feel good parts, the potentially offensive as well as the ear tickling parts.

In the next post we will consider the approach we should take in teaching the whole counsel of God.