We live in a world where people are quick to attack those who believe differently than them. Often, in the Church, it’s about issues that are inconsequential in the big scheme of God’s work here on earth. As Bible teachers, we must be careful not to digress from what matters most. We mustn’t let discussions turn into heated debates and quarrelling. The objective isn’t to determine who is right. Rather, the goal is love.
This kind of problem among believers isn’t new. Back in the earlier days of the Church, the Apostle Paul urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and instruct people not to get caught up in what might be false doctrine or “controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith” (1 Tim. 1:3-4). He went on to say that “the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5).
Why the Goal is Love
It shouldn’t be surprising that Paul identified love as the goal. Jesus Himself said love is greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-40), as well as the greatest credential we have as Christians for people knowing we belong to Him (Jn. 13:35).
And so, again in 2 Timothy 2:22-23, Paul tells Timothy to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace” and not to “have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels”. When people are wrong, they’re to 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. 2:25-26).
Love, not condemnation, will make the difference. Hence, “the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Tim. 2:24). This doesn’t mean we don’t address issues but we speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Our communication is marked by traits describing love in 1 Corinthians 13. We must remember that “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1).
The Kind of Love We Need Toward One Another
The kind of love referenced in the above mentioned verses is agape, divine love. It’s a love that gets beyond our own need to prove we’re right at any cost. It’s a love that looks at the greater good. It’s a kind of love that comes from a …
pure heart,
good conscience,
and sincere faith.
Click on the above links to look at each of these traits that characterize the kind of love we teachers need to exemplify and encourage our classes to have toward one another.
This is the kind of environment we should foster in our classrooms. It’s not enough to help students develop friendships with each other. A phileo, friendship sort of love, won’t be a strong enough love to unite rather than divide over differences. We need to foster an environment of fellowship based on loving one another as He loves us (Eph. 5:2).
Training Resource: Does your heart beat with the love of God? Worksheet
Hi, am so much encouraged by your work am a church school teacher based in kenya. Thanks and God bless you
Hello, Loise. I’m glad this website, which about training Bible teachers, has been an encouragement to you as a church school teacher. Hopefully you will be able to work your way through the various posts on the site especially in areas of greatest need. There is much on the site that can be freely read and applied to your teaching ministry. May God bless you as well. If you haven’t already done so, you might want to consider subscribing to receive e-mail updates of new posts.