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Is That Really Necessary?

Have you ever heard anybody ask, “Is adult Christian Education really necessary?” It is not uncommon in our day for Christians to believe that Christian Education for adults is really a waste of time. Just think about it for a minute. Can’t adults purchase theological books and study them on their own if they are so inclined? Can’t adults work through study guides for books of the Bible at their own pace? They can even take courses on the internet. They don’t even have to leave the comfort of their own home. They can even watch videos of professors and pastors on their tablet, phone, or laptop. So isn’t it a waste of everyone’s time for a church to have classes for adults?

Let me answer the question in several ways. First, Jesus commanded us to make disciples. How do you make a disciple? How does a person become a follower of Jesus? Notice the answer Jesus gave in Matthew 18:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Your baptism as a follower of Jesus is a one-time event but to be taught everything Christ commanded cannot be accomplished in one brief setting. It is a long-term endeavor. Martin Luther said repentance is an attitude that should mark the entire life of a follower of Christ. In the same way, learning to obey all the commands of Christ is an attitude that should characterize the entire life of a Christian. From our new birth to our entrance into the presence of Christ we should be learning to obey and follow him in a richer deeper way.

This is what Paul is talking about in Ephesians 4:22-24, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Second, Christ has given teachers to the church to train and equip his people to serve him. In Ephesians 4:11-13 we read, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Why would Christ give teachers to the church if it is a waste of time for adults to participate in the process of learning from or with the help of a teacher?

We must not overlook the context or setting for teaching given here. The teaching takes place in a congregation by a teacher recognized as gifted and able to teach spiritual truth. So there is accountability for the students as well as the teacher. The danger facing all of us is becoming Lone Rangers in what we believe and teach. As we are anchored to the church both the teacher and the students avoid this pitfall of becoming Lone Rangers.

Here we, also, find the twofold goal or aim of teaching in the church: unity and maturity. Here again we are dealing with goals that are not reached quickly. It takes time for a body of believers to become united and mature. It involves commitment on the part of everyone involved. I have often wondered if the reason these two traits are often missed in churches is because the gift Christ has given us in teachers is too often neglected. If we do not avail ourselves of the means given to us by Christ, how can we hope to reach the goal set before us?

Finally, consider the audacity of the writer of Hebrews. I am referring to 5:11-14, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

It would appear that God is not interested in being politically correct. He is more concerned about teaching us the truth. Here we find that God expects his people to come to a point where they can “teach” others the truths of scripture. He is not talking about the gift of teaching here but the ability to deal with the tough questions of life people ask. The key is training yourself by using the Word constantly. My point: what better place is there to learn to use the truth of scripture than in a class with your brothers and sisters in Christ and a faithful teacher of the Word?

In order to do this we have to get beyond the basic truths of the Bible. We must ask the hard questions and learn how to deal with them. Questions like the following: Why is there suffering? Why is there war? If God is the Creator of all life, where did evil come from? There are more like them but together we can work through them and help equip each other to deal with them.

In light of these truths, won’t you join us this Fall in one of the adult classes on Sunday or Wednesday?

Your elder,

Jim Gordon