I Can Teach the Bible

The Crucial Role Bible Training Plays in Church Ministry

Consider this fact: In any given week at your church, more Bible teaching is conducted by volunteer Bible teachers than by the pastors of your church.

Hello, and welcome to the I Can Teach the Bible podcast. I’m your host – Lawrence Ford.

Today we’ll be discussing The Crucial Role Bible Training Plays in Church Ministry.

Christians in virtually any church or denomination are familiar with the reality that men and women without any formal Bible college or seminary training are responsible for much of the Bible teaching every week in the local church. This cannot be overstated nor can it be overlooked. 

Faithful pastors shepherd us in a holistic manner, providing spiritual food, counsel, correction, and leadership for an entire flock of Christ followers. Those of us who are or have served in pastoral ministry do so because of a calling to serve God full-time for the rest of our lives. We did not enter this vocation lightly. And we committed ourselves to endure the rigors of Bible college and/or seminary to have wise teachers of the Bible prepare us for a lifetime of service in the local church.

Pastors preach on Sunday mornings and often Sunday nights to the church as a whole, and some lead Bible studies or Sunday school classes for smaller segments of the congregation. It’s not just our job; it’s our calling, our commitment, and our passion to see lives transformed by the power of the Word through the ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

And yet, the role of the pastor to shepherd us does not include Bible teaching at every age level on a weekly basis. Other members of the Body are asked to share the responsibility to teach children, students, and smaller groups of adults in Sunday school classes, small groups in homes, and elective Bible studies during the mid-week. A lot of Bible teaching takes place in the local church without the pastor’s direct involvement, though he is responsible to ensure that teaching is handled well.

Bible Training at My Church

Think about your local church. Take a moment to consider all the different classes that are taught week-to-week. Who is teaching the Bible in these classes? Perhaps one of the pastors is teaching a class here and there. But the lion’s share of teaching falls on willing members of the congregation who make a commitment to study, prepare, and teach each week. 

So, think again about who is teaching the Bible at your church and answer the following questions:

• How are Bible teachers recruited at your church?
• What kind of qualifications are considered when selecting teachers?
• Is the pastoral staff involved in choosing class teachers?
• What is the screening process to become a teacher at your church?
• Does your church have an organized Bible training program for newly recruited teachers? What about an annual teacher training program for those leading Bible classes?
• If your church brings teachers together for Bible training, how effective do you think it is? Does this training help volunteer teachers study the Bible better and teach more effectively? Do you believe that some members are reluctant to teach the Bible but do it anyway because there’s no one else to do it? 

There are more questions like this you could answer, but the point is pretty clear: It’s time to examine how your church recruits and trains volunteers to teach the Bible.

You can study the Bible confidently and teach it effectively.

Welcome to the I Can Teach the Bible podcast!

My name is Lawrence Ford and I will be your host as we explore the
topic of Bible teaching in the local church. 

I’ve been teaching the Bible for 40 years as missionary, pastor, and Christian ministry leader.

My passion is to equip men and women with the tools they need to study God’s Word confidently and teach it effectively to others.

I Can Teach the Bible is your resource for learning how to study and teach the Bible. Our desire is for teachers to be equipped with biblical knowledge and practical tools that will make teaching the Bible to others something to look forward to each week.

This podcast will not only help teachers understand the Bible, but also reveal why God's Word is so vital to know and teach. Each week we will discuss what the Bible says about studying God's Word and teaching it to others, from Genesis to Revelation.

The I Can Teach the Bible podcast will air each Wednesday and discuss issues like:

• What’s the best way to prepare for teaching the Bible at church?
• How can I better prepare for questions my students ask about a Bible passage?
• Is there a simple method that I can use to study the Bible and be confident of its meaning?How do I sync what the Bible passage is saying with the lesson materials the church provides?
• And much more.

The first series we’re going to tackle is called “Bible training in the local church: what works and what doesn’t.” In this series we’ll look at what’s been tried before and what other churches are doing today to train their Bible teachers. We’re going to glean insights from what others are doing well in Bible training.

I Can Teach the Bible has been established to aid local church leaders and their Bible teachers with foundational resources and practical help that will give them confidence in knowing how to approach the Scriptures and prepare to teach God’s Word effectively. 

I encourage you to follow along as we explore biblical truth that will set you on a confident path to Bible study and teaching so that you can be used by God to see lives transformed by the powerful Word of God.

God’s message is the Bible, written under the inspiration and supervision of the Lord Jesus (John 1:1; 2 Tim. 3:16). God intends for His message of redemption to reach the ears of the entire human race. And that is where God’s people enter the equation. We are God’s messengers sent to the world to reach perishing souls with the water of life. In order to accomplish this work of God, we need to know the Book of God, the Bible. And that is what this podcast is all about – knowing and communicating God’s Word to others.

Here are a few verses to consider:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2)

“…teaching them to follow all that I commanded you….” (Matt. 28:20)

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.” (2 Pet. 3:15)

We look forward to sharing with you practical, biblical insights in this podcast that will prepare Bible teachers to know the Word and teach the Word with confidence, accuracy, and enthusiasm each week. 

Please join the I Can Teach the Bible podcast family and subscribe today!

What is effective Bible training for lay Bible teachers in the local church? Today we are speaking with Pastor Rich Cochran about the strengths and weaknesses of past and present Bible training programs and what steps churches can take to grow this vital aspect of ministry. Take some time after the program to examine the current state of lay Bible teaching in your church.