A church will never be stronger than its teaching program. Our children will grow in the knowledge of God in proportion to the efficiency of those that teach them. A program of Bible study that isn't carried out right will never get the desired results. Yet the backbone of the work of a local congregation is its teaching program. These facts should stimulate us to evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching.

The unsung heroes in God's army are the men and women who teach a Bible class in the church of the Lord. He has closer contact with the boy or girl than any other, except the parents. He is in position to shape the life of his student religiously. He can do one of the greatest works in the church by being a good teacher.

No greater honor can be had here on earth than that of bringing someone to Christ. The teacher of God's word can do that. The good that we can do should be enough to spur us on to study and improvement until we are the very best teacher possible. Anything short of the best would not be pleasing in the sight of God. He always demands the very best that is in us.

The teacher who fails to prepare his lesson and do his best is guilty of grievous error. Those who teach God's word will be held responsible by the Lord. Just as the preacher must someday stand in judgment and give account to God, so shall the elders and teachers. You who have seen selected to teach the will of God to others must recognize the fearful responsibility that is yours. You might be the cause of someone's obeying the gospel - you might also be the cause of someone's failing to learn God's will. Think on these things daily as you prepare to do God's will by instructing others.

In order for a teacher to be successful he must maintain good order in his class. He must remember that he is to teach the word of God and not just spend the time allotted with a program designed to keep them busy until time to close the class. His work should be set up so as to reach a definite goal.

Let us examine ourselves. Are we as close to our students as we could be? Do we know their problems? Are we interested in their salvation? Is our teaching designed to lead them to Christ and to make them better Christians? Are we being the kind of teacher that has no personal interest in our students? Do we set an example by attending all the services, or can our students come to worship on Sunday and Wednesday nights and find us absent? Do we believe our teaching will not be effective unless we practice what we teach?

- Reminders, 12/28/69, old bulletin of this congregation