Teaching the Bible to Children; Standards to Follow

I began teaching children's ministry about eight years ago. I taught a little in my earlier years as a believer, but I really don't count them because I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. I may not be too much farther down the road now, but I do believe I've made some progress.

Most Sunday Schools I attended as a child, those in other churches, and even in my own home church of Calvary Christian Fellowship, consisted of a few Bible stories without teaching any doctrine. The children were left with some great stories and some encouragement. But the meat of the gospel was all too often left on the table and in the Book.

When I first began eight years ago I was totally unprepared for the task ahead, with the one exception. I believe the LORD called me to teach. I remember talking with my Pastor about it. I had just quit the worship team. The LORD spoke to me clearly about taking some time off from the band. But I believe He spoke to me equally clear in the added direction; Bible teaching. When I told Pastor Ron that the Lord had called me to teach and to begin with children's ministry, he said to me, "If you can learn to teach these children then you can teach adults." I've never forgotten that and it has served me well. I have continued to teach children since that day and have had the opportunity to teach adults as well. The methods I use with children I use with adults. I'm still learning the art of keeping it simple.

Keeping it simple is not always easy to do because of the years of non-scriptural teaching and ideas that have confused the issue. But the Bible is pretty simple when you understand and apply a few standard related to the God of the Bible and HIS Word.

1) God does not change. Even though most in professing Christendom will not say it outright, they act as if God has changed. It almost seems, by their exegesis of Scripture that Jesus is a different God who came to present a different way than had ever been thought of before. But Scripture is clear. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

2) God's Word never changes. Since God does not change, and we see who He is from His Word; therefore HIS Word does not change. The Bible says in one place that God is not a man that He should repent. Another place we read that "He who promised is faithful." But the professing church, by and large, believe that Jesus changed God's Word, as if He is not the same God as the God of the "Old Testament." Jesus is the Son of God and therefore God. He said He came to speak His Father's Words and do His Father's will. That pretty much seals that door closed; same God, same Word.

3) The Bible is a seamless, continuous, consistent document. The man-made gap between what we call the "Old Testament" and the "New Testament" should be ignored. That division has caused some to look upon them as separate documents that are barely related to each other. A man whom our church leadership met with, discussing this matter, said unequivocally, "After all, isn't all we need is the 'New Testament!'" That's astounding and brings up Standard Number Four.

4) The "Old Testament," and particularly Torah, is the foundation for the New Testament. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy more than any other book of the Bible. He never quoted from a "New Testament" book because they weren't written at this time. Neither did John, Peter, Mark, Luke, James or Jude. They all taught the Holy Scriptures to people who attached themselves to the Lord, Jew or Gentile. They taught the "Old Testament!" Jesus and the Apostles taught the same concept that had been in place and foretold from the Beginning. It had been perverted by the traditions of men - the Jewish leaders - and God sent HIS Son, just like He did His prophets, of whom we read about in the Books of the Prophets; to set it straight and return the understanding back to what He had initiated. The same with His Apostles. He's doing the same now. The "New Testament" is founded upon, and subordinate to the "Old Testament." The NT makes no sense without the foundation laid in the OT!

5) The Bible never contradicts itself and we must never contradict it. Jesus is the Living Word. As the Living Word, He is perfect, and would never contradict Himself. So when we see, what appears to be, a contradiction in the Bible, it is not there at all. The problem is not with the Bible. The problem is with us! We are the creation and He is the Creator. When we don't understand it is because there is too much flesh in the way. We are trying to understand the Holy Scriptures based on human understanding. It won't work. Scripture itself tells us that the carnal mind cannot understand the things of God. We must admit we're weak at best and in need of the Spirit of God to reveal His Truth to us. He will do just that. That is His job; to remind us of what Jesus said - Jesus only spoke His Father's Words. He, God the Spirit, is our Teacher. He alone gives revelation and understanding. No. The Bible never contradicts itself and we must never contradict it.

These standards, prayerfully, will help you if you find yourself in a teaching ministry of any sort. Adhering to these standards in Bible study and presentation will allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, the children, and adults you might be teaching, the Truth of His Word apart from man's opinions and ideas. The Lord had a reason when He said, "Let God be true and every man a liar." We need to give Him His proper Lordship in understanding His Word, teaching our children and in teaching adults from the pulpit.