Teaching Tactics

Teaching is not just the communicating of doctrine or information. Students must experience God, not just learn information about Him. Teaching is the transmission [imparting] of both a life and lifestyle. The life to be imparted to students is new life in Jesus Christ through new birth spiritually (John 3). The lifestyle to be imparted is that of the Kingdom of God. Students must be taught how to live as "citizens" in this Kingdom, learning both the privileges and responsibilities of their position.

Sometimes, we have been content to borrow man-made educational systems instead of learning and applying what God's Word reveals about teaching. This course focuses on Biblical message and methods of teaching. You will learn and apply methods of the master teacher, Jesus Christ. You will understand the functions of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in your teaching.

Have you ever explained to another person something they did not know? Perhaps you showed them how to do a certain task?  If so, you have already experienced teaching.

You may be asking yourself, "Why should I study this lesson? Why should I take a course on `teaching tactics'?"  In this chapter, you will learn why each believer must know how to teach. You will learn what it means to teach, the main objectives of teaching, why teachers are needed, and who is to be taught.

You will learn the difference between the leadership position of a teacher, the gift of teaching, and the general command to all believers to teach.  You will also learn the serious responsibility of teaching as you study special Biblical warnings.

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)

The teaching of God's Word was the responsibility of every believer in Old Testament times

After His death and resurrection and before returning to Heaven, Jesus Christ gave His followers some important instructions:

 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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   (Matthew 28:19-20)

Each follower of Jesus was to teach "all nations".  They were to lead people to repentance and baptism in Christ and then continue to instruct them in "all things" Jesus had taught.

All those who serve the Lord are to be "apt" or "able" to teach others:

And the servant of the Lord must be...apt to teach...(II Timothy 2:24)

All mature believers should be involved in teaching others. Paul corrected some believers because they were spiritually immature and could not teach:

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (Hebrews 5:12)