Great Manifesto for Church Education! Part 2

Comprehensive Teaching

From Matthew 28:19-20 it is clear that the Lord Jesus would have the church provide complete or comprehensive teaching for those who are discipled. He says: all things. He says: all things – teaching them to observe all things.

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

First, this means that for all Christians a lifetime of learning must follow conversion and membership in Christ’s church. If Christ states that we must be taught all things it most certainly means that we must all be students in the school of Christ – for do any of us know all things? Now historically we’ve placed an emphasis on teaching young people in the church, but doesn’t the fact that Christ calls the church to teach all things mean that all Christians should be students in the school of Christ? I think everyone needs to be a student in the School of Christ, regardless of age. No Christian can be happy with the status quo when it comes to his or her knowledge of Christ.

This command to observe all things is particularly relevant in our superficial age. Our culture has become mentally fat and lazy. But in contrast to our culture, Christians are called by God “to be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Romans 12:1,2) This transformation is basic to Christian living and is essential in responding to the call to abound in love for God and our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) If the church is called by God to teach all things then each one of us is called to learn all things also in the context of the church! As Christians we need to be pressing on towards the goal in Christ Jesus. Paul speaks of the effort required in seeking to know all things! He says in Philippians 3:

Phi 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

If this was the way the apostle lived – one who was an inspired apostle of Christ – should we not be doing the same? Are you pressing on? Are you seeking to know Christ and the power of his resurrection in your life? Are you applying yourself to learning in the school of Christ? Are you active in applying yourself to learning in the church of Christ? Do you know more today than last year concerning the gospel of Christ? Has your knowledge of the Word of God increased in the last year? Are you putting yourself under the instruction of the church of Christ?

But second, the fact that the church is called to teach all things means that her curriculum must be comprehensive considering all of the scripture. Therefore as a church we should deal with the areas of Biblical Studies, Christian Doctrine and Christian Living necessary to equip you to live a fully balanced Christian life. In order to do this we need to cover six main areas: Scripture, Doctrine, Christian Living, Church History, Apologetics, and Leadership Training. By the way, all of these cannot be taught effectively from the pulpit – that’s why we do have other classes in the church. These are geared to age – or perhaps are more topically arranged.

Teaching all things means that we must have balance in our teaching in the church. Today, instead of striving to teach all Christ commanded, many are trying to eliminate as much of his teaching as possible, avoiding those matters which are difficult or objectionable. It is easy to teach something on which everyone agrees, but to teach those challenging subjects is difficult or to teach of something sensitive is so easy to avoid, but is it faithful?

Today’s church needs to teach all the things of God – even those things which are unpopular; which are difficult; which are objectionable; which are challenging because Christ has said: Teach all things! It is very easy to be one sided in teaching the truths of the Word of God. Each one of us have our own particular hobbyhorse – and some truths are more palatable than others – but Christ said teach all things – not just some things. The church’s teaching is to be comprehensive!