We know outreach is important to the heart of God so it should be for us as well (Lk. 15). Bible teachers may, however, have questions about outreach efforts in the classroom.
Question about the Need for Outreach Efforts in the Classroom
Why be concerned about outreach in a class full of Christians?
Keep in mind that only God truly knows the heart. Some people, especially those who grew up attending church, know how to “act” or “speak” Christian but may not have truly put their trust in the Lord. Some say what they know Bible teachers want to hear. Romans 10:9-10 doesn’t stop with a person declaring with their mouths but stresses the importance of believing in our hearts. — “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Even if all students are believers, we may occasionally have visitors who aren’t. If outreach in the classroom isn’t something we regularly plan for, we may not be ready. We’re to “be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2) and to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15).
You’ll find some additional thoughts about this question in the Bible Teacher’s Handbook of Frequently Asked Questions which also responds to these questions about outreach:
- Won’t cramming the Gospel down people’s throats do more harm than good?
- How do I lead students to salvation in Christ?
The handbook looks at 48 other issues related to Bible teaching with a total of 153 questions.
Another Training Resource: Some Outreach Do’s & Don’ts for the Adult Classroom Worksheet