by Roy B.
T he H oly S pirit is operative in Christian teaching. Why then do teachers often fail to teach and pupils often fail to learn? The answer is that God has chosen to work through imperfect human instruments. Of the four basic factors in Christian teaching — the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the teacher, and the pupil — the first two are perfect and infallible, and the other two are falli ble and imperfect. The first two are invariable, and the other two variable. Therefore, if learning does not occur, it is the fault of either the teacher or the pupil, or both 4 — not the fault of God’s Spirit or God’s Word. To the extent that the teacher or the learner fails, the teaching process fails. Human teachers are in a key position, capable of either facilitating or hindering learning. What and how they teach are vitally important. And their lives are important too — as important as the truth they teach orally. As Benson has reminded Christian leaders, “ the example of a consistent Christian life counts more toward helping others Teach a higher standard than any amount of instruction.” And Cairns writes: “The example of a radiant, honest, scholarly per sonality must accompany this basic practical as well as theoretical intellectual theistic orientation. Students usually remember the teacher long after the data of the subject have been forgotten.” , This is not to belittle for a moment the absolute necessity of God’s Word. Without it Christian education is impossible. But it is to say that the truths of God s Word should be taught and communicated through lives that exemplify the Word and exalt Christ. Teachers whose lives are not yielded to the Holy Spirit and in whom there is unconfessed sin prevent the effective teaching ministry of the Spirit through them. Sin will hamper both the power of their influence with their students and the effectiveness of their presentation of truth to their students. Many teachers have admitted that at times their teaching has not been well received simply because of sin in their own lives. Even though
all other factors in the teaching situation may be con ducive to learning, sin in teachers’ lives decreases the possibility of learning. Even though Christian teachers possess the gift of teaching, the extent of their effective ness depends on their being controlled by the Holy Spirit. Every teacher should so live and teach that he can testify as did the Apostle Paul concerning his ministry among the Thessalonians: “ Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake” (I Thess. 1:5, 6 ). This verse outlines the pattern that every teacher should follow in teaching his ministry. The teachers’ content ( “ our Gospel,” “ the Word” ), the teacher’s communication (“ in power,” “ in the Holy Spirit,” “ in much assurance” ) and the teach er’s conduct ( “ what manner of men we were among you” ) are all important. What a teacher teaches, how he teaches, and how he lives should harmonize to make his ministry Scriptural and dynamic. The exemplary spiritual lives of teachers-involve, one their part, a personal experiencing of the truth. If they are teaching a Scriptural portion, they should have ex perienced, or be experiencing, this truth themselves. If they are teaching a so-called “ secular” subject, they ought to have experienced, or be experiencing, the implications of the Christian viewpoint on that subject. It is important that Bible truths being taught be a part of teachers’ lives so that they will know whereof they speak, will be concerned about the truth that they are teaching, and will make an impact on the lives of their pupils. Those lessons that make an impact on pupils’ lives are those that have first made an impact on the lives of teachers. If Christian teachers delve in truth with out relating it to their spiritual experience, their pupils may see little need for living the truth. Many teachers in this way limit the Spirit’s working through them. Christian teachers must be in vital union with Christ. They must love Him and His Word. Their personal ac quaintance with and deep love for Christ are essential. This must be ranked above their knowledge of things, books, or men. These 'words addressed by Paul to Timothy should be pondered by every Christian teacher: “ Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching” (I Tim. 4:16). It is not enough for teachers to be concerned only with their lives or only with the doctrines they teach. They must be concerned with both. This response to basic harmonious cooperation between the human and the divine in the glorious ministry of Christian teaching.
Dr. Zuck is author of a new volume, “ The Holy Spirit in Your Teaching,” published by Scripture Press,
Wheaton, Illinois. He is a graduate of Biola and a member of the staJJ
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FEBRUARY, 1964
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