AN OPEN LETTER FROM A BIBLE CLASS TEACHER

UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.

AN OPEN LETTER FROM A BIBLE CLASS TEACHER

I believe that the Bible is God’s inspired message for mankind (2 Timothy 3:16,17). I believe that the word of God is the only "guidebook" to direct our path and act as the light for our pathway (Psalm 119:105). I believe that the Bible’s message is able to make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). I believe that those who know and follow God’s truth will be blessed (John 8:31,32).

I believe in Bible classes. Why? Because they give us a special chance to study the only message that can save the soul and prepare us to go to heaven (Romans 1:16; Acts 20:32). I believe in Bible classes because they can help mold the thinking of little folks and help prepare them to be faithful servants of Jesus. I believe in Bible classes because I know that they can help change people’s thinking, and ultimately change their lives for good. I believe in Bible classes because in a class setting we have a special opportunity to be together, study together, and grow closer to one another. Yes, I believe in Bible classes because they help us in our overall effort to train the tiny people, teach lost people, and build up or strengthen already-saved people. Bible classes help people get to heaven!

I take my work as a Bible class teacher seriously. I do not count my teaching role as a burden. I do see my task as a great responsibility. I count it not as something that was "shoved off" on me, rather I see it as a special privilege. I teach, not because no one else wants the job, but because I want to. I love it!

I try to be the best teacher that I can be. For each class I prepare diligently. That includes planning, personal study, and prayer, both for myself and for those whom I will teach. Yet, it is no secret that, though I do the very best I can, I am not perfect. No, not by a long shot. I make mistakes in life just like everyone else does (1 John 1:8). I sometimes do not know the answers to the questions that my students ask me. At times it seems that I just do not express myself well and my students do not pick up on what I am trying to get across. I admit that there are times when my class just doesn’t go as well as I would like for it to. But, I am hanging in there and striving, with my Lord’s help, to improve as a teacher.

Parents, I need your hearts locked in on this section, please. If I teach your children in my Bible class, then there are some things that I could really use from you. I am not talking about paper, pencils, or other material things. You could really help my class – your child’s class – by doing some things. I guess you could call this "A Teacher’s Request List for Parents." If you would give a concentrated effort in the following areas, I would really appreciate it, and it would go a long way in helping us have a better class. Please consider my seven simple requests:

Show interest in your child’s class. Be concerned about how he/she is doing. What did he/she study in class today? What kind of homework does he/she have? How did he/she do on the memory work or assigned work?

Be understanding. As I said, as your child’s teacher I will make some mistakes. So will your child. Try to be patient with all of us.

Cooperative with me. If I have assigned your child a memory verse to learn, please work with him/her on it and make sure that he/she knows it before coming to class. Please double check and make sure that all assignments are ready. It will help his/her self-esteem and could help him/her avoid embarrassment in front of other students.

Be supportive of what we do in class. Make your child know that you think his/her Bible class is important. And, when I teach the truth in class about the Lord’s one church, dancing, or whatever the topic might be, your reinforcing the truth with your child can go a long way. On the other hand, it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to totally undo my influence by disagreeing with the Bible truth that I have taught.

Make every possible effort to have your child at every class, and to get him/her there on time. As a teacher it is frustrating when my students attend sporadically. It is also frustrating to me to know some of those whom I teach will not be there for the first part of class. Maybe not even for the first half of class. That makes me adjust my teaching (Should I wait on the stragglers to come in before I begin my main lesson, or do I just go ahead and start?). That makes all of the other kids turn and look when your child comes in late. That makes your child behind on his/her work. That can make your child embarrassed. If you get your children to school and ball games on time, but you constantly are late in getting them to Bible class, you are sending a harmful message to them that really says, "Bible class is just not that important."

Attend every Sunday and mid-week Bible class yourself: take your own Bible class seriously. Your attitude toward your own Bible class sets the tone for your child’s attitude toward his/her class. If you just drop off your child or just send him/her for his/her class and then you do not attend your own adult Bible class, the message or signal that you are sending to your child comes through loud and clear. Kids pick up on it. To be blunt, if you do not attend every Bible class that you possibly can yourself, the example that you are setting for your child stinks (Matthew 5:16).

Be enthusiastic about your child’s class. Talk it up at home. Have good things to say about it. Treat it as if it is something special, because that’s just what it is!

I love your child, and I want to do all that I can to help him/her get onto or stay on the path that leads to heaven. I could really use your assistance in all of these areas.

Regardless of the age group that I might teach, it is my intention to be able to say truthfully to my students what Samuel said to the nation of Israel in the long ago: "I will teach you the good and the right way" (1 Samuel 12:23).

-- Roger D. Campbell