The Mississippi Enterprise

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

By Rev. Geo. A. Harper,
511 Avenue G.,
Greenwood, Miss.

THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.

I Timothy 4:6-16; 2 Timothy 2:1, 2; 3:10-17. Print I Timothy 4:6-16; 2 Timothy 2: 1, 2.

MEMORY SELECTION

Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.(I Timothy 4:16).

Ministers must teach and command the things that they are themselves taught and commanded to do; they must teach people to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded. The best way for ministers to avoid being despised is to teach and practice the things that are given them in charge. Ministers are engaged in saving work. The care of ministers should be in first place to save themselves: then they shalt thou be instrumental to save those that hear thee. The best way to answer both these ends is to take heed to ourselves.

PAUL INSTRUCTS TIMOTHY TO TEACH GOOD DOCTRINE:

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourish up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." . . . The preceding verses give the things Paul had in mind which a good minister must observe and do. One thing in particular is, keeping a lookout for seducing spirits and the doctrine of devils. Certain evil conditions had been predicted which would have ruinous effects upon the church unless those responsible for teaching the people would stay alert and keep them in remembrance of these conditions. "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness"

Profane and old wives' fables have been translated as godless and silly myths. This kind of thing can add nothing constructive to the resourcefulness of the Christian minister or teacher.

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" . . . It is not clear whether the apostle refers here to athletic exercises or to ascetic practices, but in either event he was sure that while these may have a limited value, they are no substitute for godliness.

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation" .. . Whether the above instructions are quoted or are original with Paul, he is willing to stand by them as being reliable and helpful for those in the capacity of leadership.

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe". . . The hope we have in God as our Saviour should sufficiently inspire us to suffer whatever persecutions and reverses and reproaches incidental to Christian living.

TIMOTHY ENCOURAGED TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE:

"These things command and teach" - Earlier the apostle had admonished Timothy to put the brethren in mind of the things he had made mention of.' Later on in his instructions, Paul exhorted Timothy to teach as well as call to remembrance the important things he had raised in his discussion. "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity"

A young person does not necessarily have to be any more lacking in Christian ideals than an old person. If he wishes to devote enough effort to self-discipline, he can make his life just as fine an example as anyone else. "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" - It is a worthy saying and true that one cannot teach what he does not know. That is why it is so necessary for a teacher to devote much of his time to study, to reading, in order that he might keep abreast with what is going on and be able to keep his people informed. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee. which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" . . . The presbytery was composed of elders who had ordained Timothy for the ministry. believing him to be capable of performing the duties for which the office made him responsible. "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all"

Again and again emphasis is put upon study and preparation for the work of the ministry, for Paul was convinced that the man of God should be a well-informed. welltrained. self-disciplined person. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" .. . The negative view of this is that many ministers destroy themselves and those who hear them because they neglect to give themselves wholly to qualifying themselves and keeping fit to serve people in the capacity of the Christian ministry.

FAITHFUL WITNESSING ENJOINED:

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" , , . Quite a bit of time had passed since Paul first wrote to Timothy, advising him how to qualify himself to be a good Christian minister. There were many things Paul had experienced by way of hardship and persecution which Timothy had not as yet experienced. "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" - These were many things Paul had tried to inform his students of. He had tried to instruct them with precept and with precept and with example how to be good Christians, and good leaders, those who aspired unto the ministry.

PRACTICAL POINTS ON THE LESSON:

Every minister should bear in mind that sinners need gospel preaching and Christians need gospel teaching.

The teaching of the gospel will produce conviction in sinners and will feed the saints.

It is just as important or more so to nourish young converts as it is to get sinners converted. Thus the teaching ministry of the church has been in force ever since the beginning of the church.