Bible teaching as fine art needs to be appreciated and applied more and more to the work of ministers and Bible teachers. And how necessary it is in these days of increased knowledge that the word of truth be clearly and faithfully made known, so that minds may readily discern what is true as they are brought in contact with higher criticism and human philosophy. In this day of specialists it behooves the Christian worker to be a specialist in soul saving.
To observe how others present the Scriptures, noting their good points and correcting their mistakes and failures in one's own work, is always profitable. The "know it all" or "my way is best" attitude should be avoided. Until thoroughly familiar with the doctrines of God's word, the teacher may use such outlines as those given in "Bible Readings for the Home Circle" and other dependable sources, which present the truth briefly, logically, and in a convincing way. Combinations of texts are sometimes made by those who strive to present something new, or different, that close with no positive point made or lesson imparted. Such presentations should be avoided. Study the outline until it is your own, and you know more about the subject than you intend to present. In this way, questions will not distract or confuse you.
If possible, avoid reference to your notes while giving a study. Hide the word in your heart, and be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is within you. Make each scripture a message to your students, emphasizing the particular truth you are teaching. Do not merely be a text collector, but a truth corroborator. Prayer in preparation for the study is essential as well as in the giving of it.
Possibly the name of a person wishing to study the Bible has been given in by some church member, or in response to a promise to supply literature. The way in which a name has been received will determine to some extent your introduction, and the proper time and way to suggest the "home Bible study" plan. In every case make it apparent that you are about the King's business, and whatever good you can do you will do it; but that you have no time for idle talk or entertainment. Remember that your approach may win the confidence of the souls you seek, or turn them away forever. Pray that the Holy Spirit may give you tact, and make them interested and willing to study.
The course of study for your students must be determined largely by their general knowledge, how much they know of our truth, and the time you may have for study with them. To build up a foundation of faith in the whole Bible as the unquestioned authority of God and His revealed will to man, is almost always necessary, since Modernism has torn away from many professed Christians large portions of Scripture. You should therefore labor to build up their faith, and re-create confidence in the Book, as well as in the message you present.
An interest in Bible study may need to be awakened by giving reasons outside of the Book for its divine authenticity. Thus you may call your first study "The Most Popular, Yet Most Neglected Book," or "The Twentieth Century's Best Selling Book," instead of "The Inspiration of the Scriptures," proceeding then from its own testimony of its origin to corroborative evidences. Matthew twenty-four may be called "The Master's Own Prophecy of His Return." Instead of asking people if they would like to study "Daniel 2," ask if they would like to study a "prophecy written 2,500 years ago that is coming to pass today." The 2300 days may be entitled, "The Gospel by Arithmetic," or "The Greatest Proof From the Old Testament That Jesus Is the Messiah." Make truth attractive.
The introductory text should be definite. Then consider the evidence in as logical a sequence as possible. If you knew nothing about the Bible, would your study convince you of the truth you are seeking to present? Do not use the signs of the times or studies on the soon coming of Christ to frighten people into preparing for His coming, but as warnings that there is little time to get ready, and that they are wise who heed the signs given. And let your life be in harmony with what you teach. One man who talked much about the nearness of the end, was accosted by a neighbor while he was planting young walnut trees on his place, with the words, "I thought you believed Christ is coming soon!" "I do, sir," was the answer. "Well, then, why plant a crop that you cannot hope to realize a harvest from for seven to ten years?" It is just as true today as it ever was that what we do speaks so loudly that people cannot always hear what we say.
In presenting the state of the dead, use the positive texts, avoiding those which seem a little hazy, unless they are asked for. Some texts may be clear to us, but they are hard to make plain to unbelievers—such as John 11: 26; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; and some in Job. To apply 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 primarily to the second coming of Christ as I have heard it used many times, might cause serious difficulty if the student should question your theology; for the wicked are not utterly destroyed from God's presence until the close of the millennium.
In studying about rewards, do not minimize the punishment of the wicked beyond its revealed enormity, in the effort to dissuade, people from the popular teaching of an ever-burning hell. Transgressors will receive their just reward, and it will be in fire and brimstone, where their worm dieth not and their fire is not quenched; they will have eternal punishment, everlasting in its effect; but it will end in ashes (Mal. 4:1, 3), just as Sodom and Gomorrah ended, as recorded in 2 Peter 2:6 and Jude 7. They will be so utterly destroyed from God's presence that even their place cannot be found, and they will not be remembered nor come into mind. Make the most of the loss sustained by all who are deprived of life in the earth made new. Emphasize the solemn fact that there will be no changing of the sentence of death when the time comes for it to be carried into effect. Now is the day of salvation.
The terrible crime wave that seems ever increasing, may be presented as caused by the general disregard for the law of God. Make it clear that "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be;" and that disregard for the law of God leads inevitably to disregard of the laws of man.
Making Christ and His plan of salvation from sin to obedience and life the underlying principle of every study will silence the accusation that you teach the law and not Christ, and will carry the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Conclude your studies with summary statements and questions that lead your students to express themselves upon the truths taught. This makes personal decisions easier, and prepares the individual to carry heavier crosses, when the more peculiar truths are presented.
The lecture form of teaching is not so good in the home as to ask questions that may be answered by the students reading from their Bibles. Let Scripture be your fundamental and final source of appeal; then it will be apparent that in your life and teaching you believe the Bible to be God's message to humanity. To ridicule another's religion, or to rail against other church organizations, belittles our own mission. Our task is not to tear down other faiths, but to build up a stronger and more dependable hope, that those who study may see the difference, and desire that wbich is founded upon the Rock of Ages.
Help people to realize that you have not just another church creed to add to the hundreds already in the world, but that you have the last message that is to be given to a lost world—a message which had its beginning at the time and in the manner foretold in the Scriptures. This message is called the "everlasting gospel," and it is to be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, "for a witness unto all nations." Then will be ushered in the kingdom of heaven.
Turlock, Calif.
