The Role of Bible Classes in the Local Church

Acts 20:20 Titus 2:1-10 Acts 19:9-10 Matt. 28:19-20

It is not primarily for the purpose of gaining knowledge It is not primarily for the purpose of gaining knowledge Eph. 4:7-16 Paul’s purpose for a local church Eph. 4:7-16 Paul’s purpose for a local church Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (vs. 16, NKJV) “causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (vs. 16, NKJV) “promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” (NRSV) “promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” (NRSV) “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (NIV) “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (NIV) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (vs. 7) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (vs. 11) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (vs. 12) “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (vs. 12) “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (NIV) “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (NIV) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (vs. 13) “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (vs. 13) “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (NIV) “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (NIV) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

Short-term goal: equipped in works of service to build up the bodyShort-term goal: equipped in works of service to build up the body Long-term goal:Long-term goal: Till we all come to the unity of the faithTill we all come to the unity of the faith Till we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God to maturity (the whole body patterned after Christ)Till we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God to maturity (the whole body patterned after Christ) Our greatest internal concern: bring every person to unity & maturityOur greatest internal concern: bring every person to unity & maturity Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

Maturity:Maturity: No longer children tossed by various doctrines of men (vs. 14)No longer children tossed by various doctrines of men (vs. 14) Able to “speak the truth in love” (vs. 15)Able to “speak the truth in love” (vs. 15) Our lives patterned after Christ (vs. 15)Our lives patterned after Christ (vs. 15) Each member doing its share (vs. 16)Each member doing its share (vs. 16) Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

Where on the scale of growth toward maturity are you? (Heb. 5:11-14)Where on the scale of growth toward maturity are you? (Heb. 5:11-14) How are you doing in regard to vs. 16 (every part doing its share)?How are you doing in regard to vs. 16 (every part doing its share)? Why Do We Have Bible Classes?

Bible classes are “equipping sessions” – knowledge must be put to use (1 Cor. 8:1)Bible classes are “equipping sessions” – knowledge must be put to use (1 Cor. 8:1) It is not a time for “creed rehearsal” It is not a time for “creed rehearsal” A time to test & discuss differing viewsA time to test & discuss differing views Avoids being “tossed to and fro”Avoids being “tossed to and fro” Formulates one’s own personal faithFormulates one’s own personal faith Causes a growth toward unity of the faithCauses a growth toward unity of the faith Enables a “stirring up to love & good works” (Heb. 10:24-25)Enables a “stirring up to love & good works” (Heb. 10:24-25) How Does This Apply to Bible Classes?

Knowledge gleaned must be for the purpose of communicating it to othersKnowledge gleaned must be for the purpose of communicating it to others Bible classes are an excellent “practice session” for “speaking the truth in love”Bible classes are an excellent “practice session” for “speaking the truth in love” Participation in classes are essential. “Lecture” defeats the purposeParticipation in classes are essential. “Lecture” defeats the purpose How Does This Apply to Bible Classes?

“Love” is an essential part of the learning process in a Bible class“Love” is an essential part of the learning process in a Bible class Tone of voice & gentle responses (2 Tim. 2:24-25)Tone of voice & gentle responses (2 Tim. 2:24-25) Careful in our comments so that we do not cause others to stumbleCareful in our comments so that we do not cause others to stumble The mature defer to the weaker in how much they commentThe mature defer to the weaker in how much they comment How Does This Apply to Bible Classes?

Class size and mix is critical to meeting these goalsClass size and mix is critical to meeting these goals Too large a class inhibits participation by the less knowledgeable & timidToo large a class inhibits participation by the less knowledgeable & timid Classes not regularly mixed prohibit unity with the whole churchClasses not regularly mixed prohibit unity with the whole church Compare intimate home settings in contrast with the buildingCompare intimate home settings in contrast with the building How Does This Apply to Bible Classes?

Each individual should strive…Each individual should strive… To be a good Bible studentTo be a good Bible student To be willing to participateTo be willing to participate To apply knowledge so that you do your share in the growth of the bodyTo apply knowledge so that you do your share in the growth of the body To learn to speak the truth in loveTo learn to speak the truth in love Remember our goal: Eph. 4:11-16Remember our goal: Eph. 4:11-16 How Does This Apply to Bible Classes?