Elders have a God-given responsibility to hold fast to sound doctrine and help in the spiritual growth and faithfulness of all those who are under their oversight. Diligent Bible study is key for maintaining spiritual growth and building one’s faith while gaining knowledge in how to live a Christ-centered life. The Northwest eldership believes in a strong, consistent Bible study program. Northwest needs qualified teachers for its various Bible classes. Teaching is an essential and serious work in the Lord’s church. God’s word tells us that those who teach will be judged with greater strictness. This warning is not meant to discourage Christians from teaching but rather make all those who would teach be aware of the great responsibility that God has placed on them as a teacher. 

We want to thank you for expressing an interest in teaching in our Bible class program. As we have stated, we need qualified teachers who understand the seriousness God places on those who teach. Please read and meditate upon these passages of scripture that pertain to those who would consider teaching. After you have studied these passages of scripture and you believe you are qualified and ready to teach then please notate that you have read and understand the commitments you are making as a teacher. 

Please study and consider these passages of scripture:

  James 3:1 ESV: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 

Matthew 23:1-3 ESV: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 

Romans 2:17 ESV: But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. 

1Timothy 6:3 ESV: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.