The Primacy of Teaching

The Sunday School Teacher 2 

One of the wonderful things about the the human race is its altruism, its built-in drive to do something to help somebody else. Even unsaved people have it. It manifests itself differently based on culture, aptitude, opportunity, health, and other factors. Sometimes, it produces volunteerism that is only marginally useful – for example, a chap who donates his time to help park cars at a local festival. But in other cases, it results in a monumental contribution – volunteer firefighters come to mind here. It is my considered belief perhaps the greatest example of this just might be Sunday School teachers. What could be more important?

          The primacy of teaching is rooted in biblical example and instruction. For the first, Jesus Himself immediately comes to mind. Early in Jesus' ministry, Nicodemus approached Him and, while seeking advice, expressed a clear understanding that Jesus was a teacher. Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God. (John 3.2) Yes, Jesus taught the multitudes, but He also mentored individuals extensively. How else did He transform a ragtag group of twelve Jewish commoners into men who would turn the world upside down? (Acts 17.6) He taught in the synagogues and on the streets. He taught in personal conversation and private interactions. He taught in sermons and parables. He taught each time He answered a question. He taught with words and works. He was everlastingly at it, ceaselessly offering the most helpful instruction in the most helpful way.

          Not only was Jesus a teacher, but the second greatest figure in the New Testament, Paul, was also a teacher. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. (I Timothy 2.7) It comes through quite often in his writing. He layers arguments like bakers layer cake, one balanced precisely on the other, raising us to truly tremendous heights. Clear, convincing writing comes only from careful thinking, distilled most often through numerous teaching repetitions. Paul knew how to make an argument, how to move a man from obstacle to skeptical to convert. He reasoned the man from one thought to the next, connecting them like steps in a staircase. Paul was a master teacher.

          In addition to both of these, Moses, the greatest figure in the Old Testament, was a teacher. And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. (Exodus 24.12) His case is particularly interesting. He neither expected nor planned to be a teacher. He wanted to rule. It is quite obvious what he had prepared himself for and what he believed he was best suited to do. Yet along the way, by giving Moses the Law, God brought to him the responsibility and ministry of teaching. Whether you think you are suited to it or not, once you have custody of the Word of God, you have a responsibility to teach it to others.

          In point of fact, parents are a classic example of this very thing. When couples date, they rarely contemplate parenting at all, let alone factor in just how large a part of their life it will become. Yet to be a parent is, by definition, to be a teacher. Everything the child learns for the first few years of his life comes via his parents. Even when other teachers enter his life, his parents remain and will remain so for as long as they live. Even after his parents die, their teaching will continue to guide him, especially if they did it right.

          Parents teach their children how to talk, how to walk, and how to dress themselves. Parents teach their children letters and numbers. Parents teach their children manners and character. Parents teach their children how to care for themselves and how to befriend others. Parents teach their children about money and politics. Parents teach their children how to throw a baseball and catch a football. Parents teach their children consciously and unconsciously. Above all, parents are to teach their children the Word of God. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6.6-7)

          As if the family responsibilities were not enough, the other institution God started, the church, also places a priority on teaching. It is specifically included in the three New Testament lists of spiritual gifts. (Romans 12.6-7, I Corinthians 12.28, Ephesians 4.11) The implications of that clearly identify teaching as an absolute necessity, just as much in the church as in the home. In fact, teaching is included twice in the church’s mission statement: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. (Matthew 28.19-20)

          There is not a single spiritual grace, doctrinal concept, or practical outworking of our faith that does not have to be taught. If we are instructed to do it we are instructed to teach someone else how to do it. Nor is anyone exempt from this. Naturally some will be better at it than others but if the Great Commission is for all Christians – and it is – then teaching is for all Christians.

          If God's people fail to understand this and apply it, Christianity will become extinct in one generation. Put another way round, the only reason we have Christianity in our generation is that every generation prior to ours, for the past two millennia, have lived up to their responsibility to teach their converts. Beloved, we dare not drop the ball in our generation or Christianity will die with us.

          Clarence Benson, in his 1940s-era book on Sunday School, summed it up this way: "Christ Himself was a great teacher. Sixty out of the ninety times He was addressed He was called 'Teacher.' In the 'Great Commission,' His last charge to the disciples, our Lord twice commands them to teach. In laying down the qualifications for the pastor, Paul stipulates that he should be 'apt to teach' (I Tim. 3:2). The apostles went everywhere teaching and preaching, and preaching and teaching. The early church was a teaching church."

          Teaching is not the only good thing we are called to do, but we are most certainly called to do it. Failure here will lead to failure everywhere in a matter of years. In a non-doctrinal context, it is a fundamental of the family and of the faith both.

          It is a wondrously good thing you do, Teacher. It is a marvelously wise thing to seek to grow in your ability to teach. May God long bless you in the doing of it.