1. 1 Cor. 4:6

2. Intro. A. Some brethren say it is sinful to have Bible classes. Do we have authority for them? B. Distinction: If they were speaking against a "Sunday School Organization" with it's own treasury and directors, as an appendage of the church, then we would agree. But some have gone beyond this, to forbidding the church from teaching in a class method. Lets examine the issue…

3. I. IS IT AUTHORIZED? A. Church is pillar & ground of the Truth (1 Tim. 3:15). 1. General command to teach God’s word. 2. General authority leaves us room to select several ways to fulfill what is authorized. 3. Command to assemble (Heb. 10:25), necessitates a place… 4. Command to sing (Eph. 5:19) authorizes song books… 5. Thus, teaching is an authorized work of the church!

4. I. IS IT AUTHORIZED? B. What ways are exemplified? 1. Teaching multiple groups at the same time, according to ability & language (Acts 2:5-13, 14). 2. Supporting preachers (1 Cor. 9:14), elders (1 Tim. 5:17-18), and other teachers (Eph. 4:11). 3. Using different, available mediums: mouth (Gal. 1:11), writing (Eph. 3:3). 4. Not all teaching was done in THE assembly (Acts 20:20; 2 Cor. 11:8).

5. I. IS IT AUTHORIZED? C. Other principles must be respected, too. 3. Organization of the church (Acts 14:23). 4. Means of raising money / treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-3). 1. Women not to teach OVER a man (1 Tim. 2:12) (Titus 2:3, 4). 2. Church is not to get involved in common meals/social events (1 Cor. 11:34). B ake sales? Solicit from churches? Fund raisers? Car washes? No!

6. I. IS IT AUTHORIZED? D. Application: Local bulletins Gospel meetings Religious debates Radio programs Cable TV programs Newspaper articles Bible classes A number of other activities designed to teach the Bible…

7. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? A. “1 Corinthians 14:34-35 forbids women teaching classes!” 1. IF that were blanketly true, then will they grant that classes are alright if men teach them? 2. Context is not classes, but lack of submission by women AND MEN (1 Cor. 14:26-28, 29-30, 33). 3. The women under consideration were specified as being wives of prophets (14: 34-35, 32, 37).

8. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? B. “1 Timothy 2:11-12 forbids women from teaching classes in the assembly!” 1. General principle (2:8 “every place”). 2. IF this only applies in the assembly, then women need ONLY be modest in the assembly (2:9-10)! 3. “Quietness” = submissive, not silent (2:11)! 4. If it is absolute silence, then it applies “in every place” (2:8)!

9. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? C. “Classes are a divided assembly!” 1. Do not deny assembly required (Acts 20:7). But not all action of the church in teaching involves THE assembly (20:20)! 2. Classes utilize teachers (Eph. 4:11) and multiple groups according to ability (Acts 2:5-13, 14). 3. There is a difference between when the whole assembly is together and when it is not (1 Cor. 11:23). 4. If classes forbidden, how study with others?

10. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? D. “If classes are not the assembly, why not let women teach over men?” 1. General principle (1 Tim. 2:10-11; Lk. 2:49ff). 2. Oddly, found several examples of “No Bible Class” brethren who believe: “A woman may teach over the man but not in a Church assembly.” 3. They forbid what God allows & allow what God forbids! (cp. Jer. 10:23) (Bartlett p. 7) (Preceptor Jan. 1993 p. 15) 4. Classes are not THE assembly! We “dismiss to classes”.

11. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? E. “Bible classes are not a method, but an organization!” 1. New organization: Teachers (Eph. 4:11)? 2. New activity: Teaching Truth (1 Tim. 3:15)? 3. New way to raise money (1 Cor. 16:1-3)? 4. In what way is it a new organization? Being organized is not the same as creating a new organization…

12. II. WHAT SAID AGAINST CLASSES? F. “Give up your classes for unity!” 1. We would still be divided in belief! a. They think it’s a sin, when it is not (Rom. 14:3-4). b. They usually also condemn “located preachers” (cp. Acts 20:31). c. They often also have SOCIAL halls, & playground equipment (1 Cor. 11:34). d. They often practice general benevolence from treasury (1 Tim. 5:16).

13. III. CONCLUSION A. Binding human opinion causes division. B. Typically, those who bind one opinion bind others… C. Understanding authority is important if we wish to follow Christ, rather than men! “7 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. 8 Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. 9 And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition.” (Mark 7:7-9)