The title of this post asks a broad question. — What’s the purpose? Years ago, when beginning this blog, I asked the same question. Though blogs appeared to be the wave of the Internet, certainly the required time and energy demanded a higher purpose.
The overall purpose of Ministry Tools Resource Center is to equip believers for ministry. So, in light of Ephesians 4:11-16, the Train Bible Teachers Blog primarily exists for these reasons:
- to exhort churches to honor God in their teaching ministries by effectively training teachers
- to encourage churches to develop a teacher training plan tailored to the needs of their teachers
- to equip Bible teachers to teach in ways that lead to changed lives
- to engage Bible teachers in examining their teaching in light of God’s heart and ways
Why Purpose Matters
Being purposeful guides what we do. For example, because of the purpose for this blog, posts written for it provide administrative helps for a teacher training plan, point to the overall objectives and biblical perspectives in teaching God’s Word, address issues related to teaching, emphasize qualities, roles, and skills needed in effective Bible teachers, and offer suggestions about teaching various topics.
When driven by a purpose, we have less of a tendency to waste time doing that which is less essential. It keeps us from getting off track.
Are You Engaged in Purposeful Ministry?
If you oversee the Christian education ministry at your church, ask these questions. — What’s the overall purpose of the Christian education ministry? What’s the purpose for my role in overseeing this ministry?
Or, if you teach a Sunday School class or other type of Bible class, ask these questions. — Why am I teaching? What should be happening in the lives of my students as a result?
Asking questions about our purpose is very important because if we don’t have a high enough purpose, we won’t tend to have a passion for it or the people we serve. Without motivation, we won’t tend to invest the time and effort into it that Bible teaching deserves. And, we’ll find it difficult to persevere in it, particularly when it gets tough or we have outside pressures.