2. Called to Equip

That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good task.

2 Timothy 3:17

The hardest class I ever had was while at the University of Mississippi. It was called Physiological Psychology, but the common name was brain science. All we learned about was the brain, neurons, neurotransmitters, and the like. The subject was not the difficult part of the class. It was the professor’s approach to testing. A newly minted professor from Iowa named Dr. Kenneth Sufka had the idea that when it was test time, you had to demonstrate you knew how to apply all the facts he had given you. So, you never had to define terms, discuss a concept, or fill in any blanks.  You had to know how to medically treat someone who showed symptoms of brain disorder. I didn’t know it at the time, but Sufka was practicing higher level blooms.  He was making us do the work of learning.

When I first began teaching, I thought the best way to communicate truth was by pure lecture. Give the student the information, and they are to take it from there. I started my teaching at Crichton College.  College professors all seemed to just lecture. I was soon introduced to the book: The First Days of School, and my mindset on teaching was transformed. A pivotal concept of the book is that the student must do the work. That also agrees with the higher level of Blooms Taxonomy of verbs. The more one creates, justifies, explains, and demonstrates, the better they know the material. 

Brain Psychology class, First Days of School, and Blooms Higher Level Verbs so nicely complements church work. When I began ministry over 25 years ago, once again I erroneously thought it was my job to do everything for the church. I learned that, just like brain science class and teaching school, the best things happen when people are equipped.  When they have been taught, they are now able to go and do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).  This is a very Biblical concept for ministry, and it’s biblical for teaching in a Christian School. 

Your job is to equip your students with Scriptural truth.  Your goal should be to see them be able to apply God’s truth in a myriad of situations, most that will happen outside of your classroom. How exactly do you do that? It is easy if you are the Bible teacher, but perhaps a greater challenge if you are the math teacher. The good news is that God gives His word.  Scripture will do the hardest work of equipping; all you must do is teach and rely upon that word.  

2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that God breathed out His word to us, and that we can use it for absolute truth. The very next verse shows us the natural effect of such a powerful ally.  The result of the word of God’s power being unleashed is that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped (2 Timothy 3:17). And not just equipped but enabled to do every good work that God requires. 

Once again, we see our aim and goal in Christian education: God calls you to rely upon His truth. You are doing more than informing, you are transforming.  To do such a lofty task you will need to be in the Word yourself.  You will need to be fellowshipping with God. 

Dr. B. Gray Allison of Mid-America Seminary used to say, “You can’t give what you don’t have.” What a great word. Seek God so that you can give to your students. God will use you to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, will you be ready by seeking Him?

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some ways you spend time with God’s Word? 

2. Have there been moments in teaching where God used your time with Him to minister to your students?

3.  In our teaching, how can we implement methods for biblical equipping throughout our instruction?