I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t fully appreciate our Bible class program until my own children came along. Now, I see firsthand their anticipation for going to class and their excitement over having been there. They can’t wait to come out and tell me what they learned and show me what they did. And I can’t wait to see and hear all about it.

Because of the importance of the subject being taught, our members have the best resources available to help them prepare their lessons and curriculum. But our Bible classes are successful not because of color printers and felt boards and painted murals. They work well because of the people who participate in them.

First of all, we have elders who care. These seven men understand that the spiritual instruction of children is a responsibly given to the home: “fathers...bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Bible classes are meant to reinforce, not replace, the teaching that fathers and mothers are doing at the kitchen table and in the living room.

But our elders also see their own responsibility to “keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17). Each week, every member, young and old, is given an opportunity to study the Scriptures in a classroom setting with those of like, precious faith. And just so you know how much they care, the elders periodically sit in on the childrens’ classes for the benefit of the teachers and the students. They care about the sheep they’re leading.

Second, we have deacons who serve. Several of our deacons are specifically assigned to take care of the needs of the teachers and classrooms. They go about making sure that all of the equipment is running properly so that when it is time to be used, it will do its job in an effective manner. They make certain that the workroom is stocked with all of the necessary supplies and teaching tools. Some of them even accompany their wives to the building to help rearrange their classrooms for when the quarter changes. In short, they just do whatever is necessary.

A few months back, the deacons scheduled a special workday to assemble and mount some furniture that had been purchased for the classrooms. Without fanfare, without ceremony, but certainly not without notice they went about obtaining “for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13). That’s service you can depend on.

Third, we have teachers who prepare. I would literally lose count if I tried to keep track of the number of teachers who come up to the building during the week to work on their lessons. They see the task before them as a serious one, one that deserves proper respect and the utmost dedication. Rather than just babysit children for forty-five minutes with mindless activities, our teachers do what their titles imply they should do: teach!

We have teachers who bring the Bible to life. They give new appreciation to old stories. They assign memory verses not just for busywork, but for understanding of what those verses mean and how they can be used in life. Most importantly, they want their students to know and follow the Master Teacher. We could all learn from them.

Fourth, we have people who volunteer. They don’t do it for the publicity. They’re not interested in awards or accolades. They help because they have the ability and opportunity to do so. They labor out of the sheer pleasure it brings them in being a part. And what a big part they play.

Bunny Balmer and Cindy Frakes work tirelessly preparing folders and assembling notebooks. Pert I’Anson and Evelyn Sanders color pictures and cut out materials. Lisa Bohuslav puts up bulletin boards in classrooms where she is not even teaching. They walk in the steps of another woman in Scripture whom Jesus praised for having “done what she could” (Mark 14:8). Like her, they do a lot.

Fifth, we have families who focus. With all of the competition facing the home in our day, we have parents who will not give in to culture. They make time for spiritual pursuits. They teach their children the value of giving thanks before you eat, reading from the word of God, being certain they have their Bible lessons done. Children may listen to their Bible class teachers twice a week. But they see their parents everyday.

And our parents are raising children who want to learn. They are eager to come to class because they can use the instruction they learned at home. They run to show them their work afterward because they know mom and dad share similar interests. They make us all want to become like little children for the sake of the kingdom (Matt. 18:3). It’s where their heart is.

Above all, we have a God who loves. Let us thank Him for every opportunity we have to learn more about Him. The more we do, a better life of class we will live.

—Bubba Garner