Bible classes divided by age, subject matter, or gender are a practice generically authorized for the local church by a number of biblical principles. One such principle is seen in the work elders are charged to do.

Bible Classes and the Work of Elders
The apostle Peter commanded elders to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers" (1 Pet. 5:2, NKJV). The verb poimainō, translated "shepherd," carries more than just the idea of a shepherd leading sheep—the shepherd is to "feed" (KJV) or "tend" (ASV) the flock. The same verb is used in Paul's charge to the Ephesian elders "to shepherd" or "feed" (KJV, ASV) "the church of God" which Christ "purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28b, NKJV). Part of this feeding is explained in the first part of Paul's instruction. Elders are to "take heed" or "be on guard" (NASB) for both themselves and "all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers" (Acts 20:28a, NKJV). Paul used similar wording when he told Timothy, "take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4:16). The elder, like the evangelist, must guard the soundness of his beliefs and teachings in recognition of the impact his influence can have on those within the congregation.

In our discussions with brethren who wrestle with whether there is authority for Bible classes, a neglected point (in my judgment) concerns this responsibility the elders have to feed the flock. How are they to do this? Must the elders preach every lesson? No—elders may feed the flock by their oversight and selection of an evangelist to work with a congregation. Must elders personally have Bible studies with every member? There are times when this is fitting, but the larger a congregation grows the practicality of personally studying with every member becomes virtually impossible. Must elders then teach every Bible class? No—Paul was not an elder, but while he worked with the church in Ephesus, he taught them "publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20). The elders in Ephesus were not the sole teachers. Part of the way elders fulfill their responsibility to feed and tend the flock is by providing opportunities for others to teach members of the congregation. How can an eldership feed the flock if it does not offer the saints opportunities for Bible study? Bible classes are simply a way elders can fulfill their scriptural charge to feed a congregation.

If this reasoning is sound, it demonstrates why the subject of this article should even be considered. If an eldership fulfills part of its responsibility by the teachers and classes it sets in place, then the eldership has a responsibility for oversight of these classes. We should note that Paul told the Ephesian elders to feed "all the flock" (Acts 20:28). The elders must guard, not only the students, but also those members who teach them. In both Paul's words and in Peter's charge, we should note the word "overseers." Paul used the noun form of this alternate name for elders (Acts 20:28), and Peter used the participle "serving as overseers" (1 Pet. 5:2). Elders cannot just appoint teachers and then dismiss themselves from oversight. They "watch out for" the souls of the membership (Heb. 13:17), so it is fitting for them to find ways of overseeing classes taught within a local congregation. Let's consider three questions about this oversight:

What Must the Elders Oversee About Bible Classes?
A major part of this oversight involves protection against false doctrine. Immediately after Paul's charge to the elders in Ephesus to "feed" or "tend" the flock, he warned of the coming of "savage wolves" that would come in among them "not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). The closing qualification Paul gave to Titus described this very work. An elder is one "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). Teachers unprepared to answer false doctrine may quickly fall to its deceitful teaching. Teachers poorly grounded in the meat of God's word may fail to realize when they lead others away from sound teaching. One purpose of the Lord's establishment of the office of "pastors" (another scriptural name for elders) over a local church (Eph. 4:11) is to promote the "equipping of the saints" toward the "edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12) so that members will not be "tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14).

In addition to guarding the soundness of teaching, elders also have a responsibility to make sure that what goes on in the Bible class is appropriate. Paul's charge to the Corinthians—"let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40) specifically addresses conduct in the assembly of the church, but if Bible classes are a scriptural work of the church the same principle must apply to classes under the oversight of the elders. An eldership should develop some method of monitoring classes. They might let the teachers know that they plan to sit in for a few minutes and observe. When this happens, the elders should try to make the teachers feel at ease, and find out if anything is needed to help the teachers with what they are teaching. If it isn't possible for the elders to do this, they can delegate this task to a deacon or mature member who can observe for them. The elders can request a report from this person on each class, looking for strengths, weaknesses, needs, and ways to help the teacher and the class grow. When correction or instruction needs to be given, elders must remember their qualification to be "gentle" (1 Tim. 3:3). The good souls who give themselves to the teaching of others must not be discouraged in their efforts, but lovingly moved to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord" (1 Pet. 3:18).

How Can Elders Help Train and Prepare Teachers?
The Hebrew writer clearly infers that one who is a teacher has moved beyond simply "the first principles of the oracles of God" (Heb. 5:12), but as with many roles of service, the best training often comes from the preparation and study involved in getting ready to teach for the first time. How can elders encourage members to teach who have not done so before while safeguarding the soundness of what is taught? There is certainly biblical authority for teaching others to be able to teach. The things Timothy had learned from Paul, he was commanded, "commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Some churches have had great success from devoting special classes to training men and women to teach. In some churches, team teaching is an effective way to introduce new teachers to the process of teaching children. This lowers the pressure on the new teacher and offers the mature guidance of a more experienced brother or sister in Christ. Elders are to lead by example (1 Pet. 5:3) and as a qualification for their office they must be "able to teach" (1 Tim. 3:2). When elders teach, the content and approach they take in classes can help train other teachers who learn by example.

The size of a congregation certainly has a great deal to do with what is possible. A larger congregation may have enough people covering regular teaching responsibilities that it is free to devote separate classes to train and prepare new teachers. Larger congregations, however, likely have more teachers willing to serve which may limit the opportunities new teachers have to develop their skills. Smaller congregations may not have enough teachers to devote special classes to training new teachers, but they are often anxious to give new teachers willing to serve as many chances to teach as possible.

What Type of Preparation is Needed?
The elders' exhortation is to be done "by sound doctrine" (Titus 1:9). It is important to recognize that the nature of the preparation elders offer to teachers must be spiritual. We must not impose man-made standards upon the teaching of God's word. The church is not a school system. Those who teach do not have to be professionally trained educators. There may be some place for helping teachers develop techniques and skills useful in teaching or for explaining methods of curriculum, but the focus must be on Scripture. Some Bible teachers will be highly skilled in techniques of education, while others simply love the Lord and have a desire to share this with others. Within the Lord's body each gift may be used for the glory of God and the growth of Christ's kingdom (1 Cor. 12:12-25; Eph. 4:16).

Kyle Pope has been preaching the gospel for twenty-six years for churches in Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, and Texas. He currently preaches for the Olsen Park church of Christ, in Amarillo, Texas, where he also serves as an elder. kmpope@att.net.