Reprinted from the “White Wing Messenger” March 16, 1974.
It has been said over and over that there are two principal types of ministry of the Word of God: (1) The preaching ministry, and (2) the teaching ministry. The Church of God has always used both. More stress may have been put on preaching from time to time, but we have had Sunday Schools all the time, and they were officially recommended by the First Assembly in these last days (1906). We have had a lot to learn to make our teaching more effective, but we are not ashamed of our accomplishments of the past.
Much of the preaching in the earlier days included teaching. By this I mean that the ministers thoroughly went into their subject and brought out many Scriptures related to it. It seems that they felt the need of proving the truth of what they were preaching. So much was new to the people who came to the services, and the preachers felt they had to make good use of their opportunity while they had it. My father, A. J. Tomlinson, would sometimes preach for hours, bringing out Scripture after Scripture concerning his subject. And the people didn’t seem to become tired or bored. More often, they wanted still more.
Today we feel that we are giving more attention to a specific teaching program in the Church. We seem to feel that some things are better taught than preached. We must remember, however, that we cannot educate people into salvation. We can teach them about their need to be saved, but the experience comes only by the working of God’s grace in their lives.
It seems that the pupils’ opportunity to respond, or to ask questions, has some advantage in the teaching process. I believe most of us will agree that this is true. However, the anointing of the Holy Ghost is just as necessary for effective teaching as for the effective preaching. The anointing may operate in a little different way, but it is very important that it be there.
Ministers are set forth by the Church, and when they are approved and licensed by the presbytery, the Church expects them to show themselves approved in Word and doctrine. We consider that they are called of God, and that they make it their main business to know the truth and to seek God’s help and anointing in its presentation. If the minister is fulfilling his calling, and putting it first, he will handle the Word with great fear and trembling. He would rather die than preach anything wrong or leave the wrong impression.
Now that we have made a way for God-called teachers to be approved and certified, no doubt they will feel the same way about their teaching. They will want to know their Bible; and they will want to be thoroughly familiar with the Assembly’s interpretation of any doctrine or teaching which may be taught differently by others. It is by this means that the Church will come to the unity of the faith. Many wonderful teachers do not feel that they have any special calling, but they render valuable service, and we would not know how to get along without their help.
They love the Church, and they know the doctrine and are capable of passing it on to others. With all these teachers and other ministers seeing eye to eye and speaking the same thing, we will be able to reach the mark set for us in the Word.
The minister who does not understand some particular Scripture or doctrine should not try to preach it in his own way. Likewise, the teacher will do better to say, “I don’t know” now and then than to run the risk of being wrong. Also, a teacher’s reputation for sound teaching will be injured once it is learned that he is not familiar with Church teachings and practices, even though he might have no intention of teaching anything wrong.
We realize that others might feel that the Church should allow its ministers and teachers a little more independence along these lines, but taking the whole Bible rightly divided and pledging ourselves to do so by covenant, is what makes us The Church of God. It is not a matter of depriving anyone of his liberties. It is just a matter of keeping every member, and the Church in general, on safe ground. Jesus said, “ And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 KJV). Holding to the truth is not deprivation; it is liberation.
The Church message is unique. The teacher who teaches this divine revelation must not be confused in his thinking with the opinions others have of the Church. He will be asked many questions, and he will need ready answers. In the Sunday School class, camps, retreats, or on any occasion where teaching is in order, it should be a part of the instructor’s preparation to anticipate probable questions insofar as possible, and to be ready to answer them clearly and positively. This was the thing about Jesus’ teaching that amazed the multitudes. At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, notice His hearers’ attitude:
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:28, 29 (KJV)
We can’t preach and teach with authority unless we are convinced of the truth in our own hearts and minds. Usually, enough study and prayer will give us the assurance that we need. However, where the Church has not spoken conclusively on a subject, it is advisable to say so, and to avoid too much personal opinion. Those we teach will not be able to endure unless we establish them in the truth, for the Lord will not confirm anything but truth.
The Sunday School is a powerful auxiliary in the Church. It enjoys the privilege of beginning its teaching with the very youngest, then proceeding right on through every stage of growth and development to the oldest. No one is left out. We used to say that the Sunday School influenced every individual “from the cradle to the grave.” And all are taught alike, though on various levels of understanding. Then, it is reassuring to the student when he hears the pastor proclaiming the same doctrine from the pulpit.
The Sunday School is a mighty instrument of outreach in the community. It is not unusual for people to attend Sunday School who would not attend the worship services. If the school’s administration and teaching staff are aware of the potential, these people may soon be regular attendants in every service. We can see from this how important it is for the Sunday School to be at its best every Sunday.
I believe it goes without saying that the teaching of the Word is the most important part of the school. We know, however, that we cannot teach people until we get them there and gain their attention. All of this is a part of the Sunday School’s responsibility. It is a great task. And usually, those who are responsible for carrying it out are already very busy people.
Our churches and Sunday Schools are made up of people who hold jobs for a living. If it were not for the fact that they love the Lord and are dedicated to His service, they would not be willing to take on the many duties they perform in the Church. They are to be highly commended of their willing service. And they are worthy of the cooperation of those members who are not appointed to places of supervisory or teaching responsibility. Those who have never served in these capacities do not realize the time and effort that must go into the operation of a successful Sunday School—or any other department of the Church work, for that matter. It makes their hearts heavy when those who could come and enjoy the school, or the services, seem to show little interest. Perhaps we could all profit by examining our attitudes in this respect.
Don’t you think it would be good if every member would approach a Sunday School Enlargement Campaign with renewed purpose of heart, first, to be loyal Sunday School supporter all through the year, then, to put forth some special effort to help build up the Sunday School. This doesn’t seem like much to ask, when it is all for our good and for the glory of God. Remember, there is a wonderful promise that goes with all we do for the Lord:
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
