Huduma ya Kichungaji, Misheni na Uongozi wa Kanisa wa Kibaptisti — Sehemu ya 3: Kufanya Wanafunzi na Mapokeo ya Shule ya Jumapili na Funzo la BibliaBaptist Pastoral Ministry, Missions, and Church Leadership — Unit 3: Discipleship and the Sunday School and Bible Study Tradition

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Na yale uliyoyasikia kwangu mbele ya mashahidi wengi, yaweke amana kwa watu waaminifu watakaoweza kuwafundisha na wengine." (2 Timotheo 2:2, SUV)"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, unapaswa kuweza:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kufafanua mwanafunzi wa Yesu kutokana na Agizo Kuu, na kueleza kwa nini ubatizo ni mwanzo wa kuwa mwanafunzi na si mwisho.1. Define a disciple from the Great Commission and explain why baptism is the beginning of discipleship and not the end.

2. Kueleza kwa nini Wabaptisti, kama watu wa Kitabu wanaoshikilia ukuhani wa waumini wote, wanaipa mafundisho ya Biblia nafasi kuu katika maisha ya kanisa.2. Explain why Baptists, as people of the Book who hold the priesthood of all believers, give Bible teaching a central place in church life.

3. Kusimulia chimbuko la Shule ya Jumapili na kueleza jinsi Wabaptisti walivyoipokea, ikiwa ni pamoja na pingamizi za baadhi ya Wabaptisti.3. Tell the origin of the Sunday school and say how Baptists took it up, including the objections of some Baptists.

4. Kueleza njia rahisi ya kufanya wanafunzi kwa kanisa la mahali na sifa za mwalimu mzuri.4. Describe a simple discipleship pathway for a local church and the qualities of a good teacher.

5. Kujibu pingamizi kwamba Shule ya Jumapili haipo katika Biblia, kwamba madarasa hayafanyi wanafunzi, na kwamba watu wana shughuli nyingi au hawawezi kusoma.5. Answer the objections that Sunday school is unbiblical, that classes do not make disciples, and that people are too busy or cannot read.

Sauti ya Kozi HiiThe Voice of This Course

Kozi hii imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti, kwa ajili ya wachungaji Wabaptisti. Ni ya kihafidhina katika mafundisho na ya vitendo katika kusudi. Wabaptisti au wanahistoria wanapotofautiana, tunaeleza mitazamo kwa haki kisha tunatoa jibu ambalo Wabaptisti wengi wa kihafidhina wangetoa. Kipindi hiki kinahusu jinsi kanisa linavyowasaidia watu wake kukua katika Kristo. Historia ya kanisa iko katika Kozi ya 1, mafundisho kuhusu kanisa yako katika Kozi ya 2, na uhubiri wa mchungaji uko katika Kozi ya 4.This course is written from inside the Baptist tradition, for Baptist pastors. It is conservative in doctrine and practical in purpose. Where Baptists or historians disagree, we state the views fairly and then give the answer most conservative Baptists would give. This unit is about how a church helps its people grow in Christ. Church history is in Course 1, the doctrine of the church is in Course 2, and the preaching of the pastor is in Course 4.

Mwanafunzi wa Yesu ni Nani?What Is a Disciple?

Neno "mwanafunzi" maana yake ni mwanafunzi anayejifunza, na katika Injili maana yake ni mwanafunzi anayemfuata. Agizo la mwisho la Yesu kwa kanisa lake ni agizo la kufanya wanafunzi. "Basi enendeni, mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi, mkiwabatiza kwa jina la Baba, na Mwana, na Roho Mtakatifu, na kuwafundisha kuyashika yote niliyowaamuru ninyi" (Mathayo 28:19-20).The word "disciple" means a learner, and in the Gospels it means a learner who follows. Jesus' last command to His church is a command to make disciples. "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" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Sarufi ya agizo hili inastahili kuzingatiwa. Kuna amri moja kuu, kufanya wanafunzi. Mambo matatu yanaeleza jinsi: kwenda, kubatiza na kufundisha. Ubatizo unaashiria mwanzo wa maisha ya hadharani ya mwanafunzi. Kufundisha kunaendelea maadamu mtu yu hai. Kanisa la Kibaptisti linabatiza wale tu walioungama imani, kwa hiyo kila mshiriki aliyebatizwa ni mtu ambaye tumeahidi kumfundisha. Kanisa likiwabatiza watu kisha likawasahau, limefanya sehemu ya kati tu ya Agizo hilo.The grammar of the command is worth noticing. There is one main command, to make disciples. Three things describe how: going, baptizing and teaching. Baptism marks the start of the disciple's public life. Teaching continues as long as the person lives. A Baptist church baptizes only those who have professed faith, so every baptized member is a person we have promised to teach. If a church baptizes people and then forgets them, it has done only the middle of the Commission.

Injili zinaeleza mwanafunzi ni nini. Anamfuata Yesu na kujikana nafsi (Luka 9:23). Anakaa katika neno la Yesu (Yohana 8:31). Anawapenda waumini wengine (Yohana 13:35). Anazaa matunda (Yohana 15:8). Kanisa la kwanza huko Yerusalemu linaonyesha kielelezo hicho: "wakawa wakidumu katika mafundisho ya mitume na katika ushirika, na katika kumega mkate na katika kusali" (Matendo 2:42). Lengo ni ukomavu, "hata kufikia ukamilifu wa mtu mzima, hata kufikia kimo cha utimilifu wa Kristo" (Waefeso 4:13), na jitihada ya Paulo ilikuwa kumleta kila mtu "mkamilifu katika Kristo" (Wakolosai 1:28).The Gospels describe what a disciple is. He follows Jesus and denies himself (Luke 9:23). He continues in Jesus' word (John 8:31). He loves other believers (John 13:35). He bears fruit (John 15:8). The first church in Jerusalem shows the pattern: "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). The goal is maturity, "to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13), and Paul's labor was to present everyone "perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28).

Kwa Nini Wabaptisti Wanaweka Biblia KatikatiWhy Baptists Put the Bible at the Center

Wabaptisti siku zote wamekuwa watu wa Kitabu. Imani tatu tunazoshikilia zinaeleza kwa nini mafundisho ni muhimu sana kwetu.Baptists have always been a people of the Book. Three of our convictions explain why teaching matters so much to us.

Kwanza, Biblia ni mamlaka yetu ya mwisho katika imani na matendo (tazama Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 1). Ikiwa Maandiko ndiyo yanayotawala, basi waumini lazima wayajue Maandiko.First, the Bible is our final authority in faith and practice (see Course 2, Unit 1). If Scripture rules, then believers must know Scripture.

Pili, tunafundisha ukuhani wa waumini wote (Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 5). Kila Mkristo ana njia ya moja kwa moja kwa Mungu na wajibu wa kulielewa Neno lake. Wabereya walisifiwa kwa sababu walilipokea neno kwa hamu na kuchunguza Maandiko kila siku ili kuona kama mafundisho ya Paulo ni ya kweli (Matendo 17:11). Kanisa linaloliacha Biblia kwa mchungaji peke yake limeacha kitu ambacho Wabaptisti walipigania kukitetea.Second, we teach the priesthood of all believers (Course 2, Unit 5). Every Christian has direct access to God and the responsibility to understand His Word. The Bereans were praised because they received the word eagerly and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether Paul's teaching was true (Acts 17:11). A church that leaves the Bible to the pastor alone has given up something the Baptists fought to defend.

Tatu, tunashikilia uanachama wa waliozaliwa upya. Makanisa yetu hayabatizi watoto wachanga wala hayahesabu kijiji kizima kuwa washiriki. Washiriki wetu ni wale walioamini. Kanisa lililoundwa na waumini ni lazima liwafundishe, la sivyo washiriki wake hawatajua wanachoamini.Third, we hold to regenerate church membership. Our churches do not baptize infants or count a whole village as members. Our members are those who have believed. A church made up of believers must teach them, or its members will not know what they believe.

Maandiko yenyewe yanasema kwamba kukua kunahitaji chakula. Petro anaandika, "kama watoto wachanga wapendeni maziwa ya akili yasiyoghoshiwa, mpate kukua kwa hayo" (1 Petro 2:2). Mwandishi wa Waebrania anawakemea waumini ambao walipaswa kuwa walimu lakini bado wanahitaji maziwa na si chakula kigumu (Waebrania 5:12-14). Na Mungu ameipa nyumba nafasi: wazazi wanapaswa kuwafundisha watoto wao maneno ya Mungu nyumbani na njiani (Kumbukumbu la Torati 6:6-7), na baba wanapaswa kuwalea watoto katika adabu na maonyo ya Bwana (Waefeso 6:4).Scripture itself says that growth takes food. Peter writes, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). The writer to the Hebrews scolds believers who ought to be teachers and who still need milk and not solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14). And God has given the home a place: parents are to teach God's words to their children at home and on the road (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), and fathers are to bring children up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Chimbuko la Shule ya JumapiliThe Origin of the Sunday School

Shule ya Jumapili haikuanza kama uvumbuzi wa Wabaptisti. Ilianzishwa Uingereza na Robert Raikes, mmiliki wa gazeti wa Kianglikana huko Gloucester, mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1780. Watoto katika mji huo walifanya kazi viwandani siku sita kwa juma, na Jumapili walikimbia mitaani. Raikes na wengine walipanga walimu wawakusanye Jumapili, na masomo yalijumuisha kusoma, huku Biblia ikiwa kitabu kikuu. Wazo hilo lilienea haraka katika Uingereza kisha katika mataifa mengine.The Sunday school did not begin as a Baptist invention. It was begun in England by Robert Raikes, an Anglican newspaper owner in Gloucester, in the early 1780s. Children in that city worked in factories six days a week, and on Sunday they ran in the streets. Raikes and others arranged for teachers to gather them on Sundays, and the lessons included reading, with the Bible as the main text. The idea spread rapidly through England and then to other nations.

Wanahistoria hawakubaliani jinsi ya kuelewa harakati hii. Wengine wanasisitiza kwamba ilianza hasa kama juhudi ya kijamii ya kuwapa watoto maskini elimu ya msingi ya kusoma na tabia njema, na baadaye tu ikawa shule ya kidini. Wengine wanasisitiza kwamba waanzilishi wake walikuwa Wakristo walioitaka watoto wazijue Maandiko tangu mwanzo. Huenda yote mawili ni kweli. Kilicho hakika ni kwamba kwa wakati Shule ya Jumapili ikawa, kwa makanisa mengi, mahali ambapo Biblia ilifundishwa kwa utaratibu.Historians do not agree on how to understand this movement. Some stress that it began mainly as a social effort to give poor children basic reading and good behavior, and only later became a religious school. Others stress that its founders were Christians who wanted the children to know the Scriptures from the beginning. Probably both are true. What is certain is that over time the Sunday school became, for many churches, the place where the Bible was systematically taught.

Wabaptisti pande zote mbili za Atlantiki walipokea Shule ya Jumapili katika karne ya kumi na tisa. Nchini Marekani, Mkutano wa Wabaptisti wa Kusini (Southern Baptist Convention), ulioundwa mwaka 1845, ulianzisha Bodi ya Shule ya Jumapili mwaka 1891 kutayarisha vifaa vya masomo na kuyasaidia makanisa. Kufikia karne ya ishirini saa ya Shule ya Jumapili ilikuwa sehemu ya kawaida ya maisha ya kanisa la Kibaptisti katika maeneo mengi: madarasa kulingana na umri, walimu waliofunzwa na masomo yaliyochapishwa, kisha ibada.Baptists on both sides of the Atlantic took up the Sunday school in the nineteenth century. In the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention, formed in 1845, established a Sunday School Board in 1891 to produce lesson material and to support churches. By the twentieth century the Sunday school hour was a normal part of Baptist church life in many places: graded classes by age, trained teachers and printed lessons, followed by the worship service.

Si Wabaptisti wote waliyakaribisha. Baadhi, hasa miongoni mwa makundi yanayoitwa wakati mwingine Wabaptisti wa Zamani (Primitive au Old School Baptists), walipinga Shule za Jumapili, jumuiya za misheni na mashirika kama hayo kwa sababu hawakupata amri yake katika Agano Jipya. Pingamizi hii ilikuwa ya dhati. Tunaijibu hapa chini.Not all Baptists welcomed it. Some, especially among the groups sometimes called Primitive or Old School Baptists, opposed Sunday schools, mission societies and similar organizations because they found no command for them in the New Testament. This objection was sincere. We answer it below.

Zaidi ya Saa ya Shule ya JumapiliBeyond the Sunday School Hour

Katika maeneo mengi ya Amerika ya Kusini na Afrika, huduma ya kufundisha ya Kibaptisti hutumia majina mengine. Mikutano ya funzo la Biblia nyumbani, madarasa ya katikati ya juma, vikundi vya seli, ushirika wa wanawake na wanaume, vikundi vya vijana, kambi na shule za jioni zote hufanya kazi ile ile. Jina halina umuhimu. Muhimu ni kwamba kanisa lina njia ya kawaida, iliyopangwa, ya kufundisha Biblia kwa kila umri, na kwamba walimu na wanafunzi wanakutana katika vikundi vidogo vya kutosha ili watu waweze kuuliza maswali.In many places in Latin America and Africa, the Baptist teaching ministry goes by other names. Bible study meetings in homes, midweek classes, cell groups, women's and men's fellowships, youth groups, camps and evening schools all do the same work. The name does not matter. What matters is that the church has a regular, planned way to teach the Bible to every age, and that teachers and students meet in groups small enough that people can ask questions.

Kanisa zuri pia hutegemea aina ya pili ya mafundisho, ambayo ni ya kibinafsi zaidi. Yesu aliwaita kumi na wawili wawe pamoja naye (Marko 3:14). Paulo alimfunza Timotheo na kumwambia apitishe aliyojifunza. Katika 2 Timotheo 2:2 tunaona vizazi vinne: Paulo, Timotheo, watu waaminifu, na wale wengine watakaowafundisha. Kufanya mwanafunzi hakujakamilika hadi mwanafunzi aweze kumfundisha mtu mwingine.A good church also relies on a second kind of teaching, which is more personal. Jesus called twelve to be with Him (Mark 3:14). Paul trained Timothy and told him to pass on what he had learned. In 2 Timothy 2:2 we see four generations: Paul, Timothy, faithful men, and the others they will teach. Discipleship is not complete until the learner is able to teach someone else.

Watoto na VijanaChildren and Young People

Watoto si jambo la baadaye. Wazazi ndio walimu wa kwanza, na kanisa huwasaidia na halichukui mahali pao. Mchungaji mwenye hekima huwafundisha wazazi jinsi ya kusoma Biblia pamoja na watoto wao nyumbani, kisha hutoa madarasa yanayolingana na umri wa mtoto. Vijana wanakabiliwa na maswali magumu kutoka shuleni na kutoka ulimwengu unaowazunguka. Wanahitaji walimu wanaosikiliza, wanaoijua Biblia na wasioogopa maswali ya wazi. Wachungaji wengi walifundishwa kwanza katika darasa la watoto na mwalimu mvumilivu ambaye jina lake hakuna anayelikumbuka. Kazi hiyo ya uaminifu haipotei bure kamwe.Children are not an afterthought. Parents are the first teachers, and the church helps them and does not replace them. A wise pastor teaches parents how to read the Bible with their children at home, and then provides classes that match the age of the child. Young people face hard questions from school and from the world around them. They need teachers who listen, who know the Bible and who are not afraid of honest questions. Many a pastor was first taught in a children's class by a patient teacher whose name no one remembers. That faithful work is never wasted.

Njia RahisiA Simple Pathway

Mchungaji anaweza kuuliza, "Nitajuaje kwamba kanisa letu linafanya wanafunzi?" Njia rahisi inasaidia.A pastor may ask, "How do I know our church is making disciples?" A simple pathway helps.

1. Kusikia injili na kuzaliwa upya. Kanisa linamhubiri Kristo na kualika mwitikio (tazama Kozi ya 4, Kipindi cha 9).1. Hearing the gospel and new birth. The church proclaims Christ and invites response (see Course 4, Unit 9).

2. Ubatizo. Muumini anabatizwa kwa kuzamishwa baada ya kuungama imani (Kozi ya 4, Kipindi cha 4).2. Baptism. The believer is baptized by immersion after profession of faith (Course 4, Unit 4).

3. Karibisho na darasa la uanachama. Ndani ya majuma machache, washiriki wapya hujifunza kanisa linaamini nini, kanisa la Kibaptisti ni nini, agano la kanisa linasema nini na jinsi kanisa linavyojitawala.3. A welcome and membership class. Within weeks, new members learn what the church believes, what a Baptist church is, what the church covenant says and how the church governs itself.

4. Funzo la kawaida la Biblia. Kila mshiriki anaingia katika darasa au kikundi kinachojifunza Biblia kwa utaratibu uliopangwa.4. Regular Bible study. Each member belongs to a class or group that studies the Bible in a planned way.

5. Mazoea ya kibinafsi. Washiriki wanafundishwa kuomba, kusoma Maandiko kila siku, kutoa, kuabudu pamoja na kanisa na kushiriki imani yao.5. Personal habits. Members are taught to pray, to read Scripture daily, to give, to worship with the church and to share their faith.

6. Kupata mahali pa kutumikia. Kila muumini ana karama (Warumi 12:6-8; 1 Wakorintho 12), na mchungaji humsaidia kila mmoja kupata mahali pa kuzitumia.6. Finding a place to serve. Each believer has gifts (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12), and the pastor helps each one to find where to use them.

7. Kuzidisha. Washiriki waliokomaa huwafundisha wengine, huongoza vikundi na huwafunza viongozi wapya.7. Multiplying. Mature members teach others, lead groups and train new leaders.

Hatua hizi hazihitaji kuwa za kupendeza. Kanisa dogo linaweza kufuata njia hii na mchungaji, walimu wawili au watatu na nyumba chache.The steps do not need to be fancy. A small church can follow this pathway with a pastor, two or three teachers and a few homes.

MwalimuThe Teacher

Huduma ya kufundisha husimama au huanguka kulingana na walimu wake. Yakobo anaonya, "Ndugu zangu, msiwe walimu wengi, mkijua ya kuwa tutapata hukumu iliyo kubwa zaidi" (Yakobo 3:1). Mwalimu lazima awe muumini anayekua ambaye maisha yake yanalingana na maneno yake, anayeaminika kwa mafundisho ya kanisa, na anayeweza kueleza Maandiko kwa uwazi (tazama 2 Timotheo 2:24-25).The teaching ministry stands or falls on its teachers. James warns, "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). A teacher must be a growing believer whose life matches his words, who is loyal to the church's teaching, and who can explain Scripture clearly (see 2 Timothy 2:24-25).

Wajibu wa mchungaji kwa walimu ni huu.The pastor's duties toward the teachers are these.

• Kuwachagua kwa uangalifu na kwa maombi, kwa kibali cha kanisa kulingana na desturi ya mahali.• Choose them carefully and prayerfully, with the church's approval according to local custom.

• Kukutana nao mara kwa mara kujifunza somo, kuomba na kuwatia moyo.• Meet with them regularly to study the lesson, to pray and to encourage them.

• Kuwapa mtaala mzuri, ikiwezekana unaopitia vitabu vya Biblia na unaoafikiana na maungamo ya imani ya kanisa.• Give them a sound curriculum, preferably one that goes through books of the Bible and agrees with the church's confession of faith.

• Kusahihisha kosa kwa upole. Walimu hawapaswi kuleta mafundisho ya kigeni.• Correct error gently. Teachers should not introduce strange doctrine.

• Kuwashukuru mara nyingi.• Thank them often.

Wabaptisti hutofautiana kuhusu nani anaweza kumfundisha nani. Tito 2:3-5 inawaambia wanawake wazee wawafundishe wanawake vijana, na kanisa kwa muda mrefu limewategemea wanawake kuwafundisha watoto na wanawake wengine. Kwa madarasa ya watu wazima wa jinsia zote, baadhi ya makanisa ya Kibaptisti ya kihafidhina huomba wanaume waongoze, kulingana na 1 Timotheo 2:12, na mengine huwaruhusu wanawake wenye sifa kufundisha madarasa ya jinsia zote, wakiwawekea wanaume ofisi ya uchungaji tu. Kila kanisa lazima liamue chini ya Maandiko, na wote wanakubaliana kwamba wanawake wenye karama wanapaswa kufundisha.Baptists differ on who may teach whom. Titus 2:3-5 tells older women to teach the younger, and the church has long counted on women to teach children and other women. For classes of mixed adults, some conservative Baptist churches ask that men lead, in keeping with 1 Timothy 2:12, and others let qualified women teach mixed classes, reserving only the pastoral office for men. Each church must decide under Scripture, and all agree that gifted women should teach.

Pingamizi na MajibuObjections and Answers

Pingamizi la 1: "Shule ya Jumapili haimo katika Biblia. Ni mpango wa kibinadamu." Hivi ndivyo Wabaptisti wa Zamani (Primitive Baptists) walivyosema, na ni lazima litiliwe maanani. Wabaptisti wanashikilia kwamba kanisa lazima lifuate Maandiko katika yale linayofanya. Lakini Maandiko yanaamuru lengo, ambalo ni kufundisha yote ambayo Kristo aliamuru, na hayaelekezi kila mbinu. Mitume walifundisha kila siku hekaluni na nyumba kwa nyumba (Matendo 5:42). Kanisa leo hutumia majengo, vitabu vya nyimbo na vipaza sauti, ambavyo pia havitajwi katika Agano Jipya. Mbinu inakubalika ikiwa inatumikia amri za Maandiko na haipingani nazo. Shule ya Jumapili, au darasa lolote lingine linalofundisha Biblia, hufanya hivyo.Objection 1: "The Sunday school is not in the Bible. It is a human program." This is what the Primitive Baptists said, and it must be taken seriously. Baptists hold that the church must follow Scripture in what it does. But Scripture commands the end, which is teaching all that Christ commanded, and it does not prescribe every method. The apostles taught daily in the temple and from house to house (Acts 5:42). The church today uses buildings, hymnbooks and microphones, which are also not mentioned in the New Testament. A method is acceptable if it serves the commands of Scripture and does not contradict them. The Sunday school, or any other class that teaches the Bible, does this.

Pingamizi la 2: "Madarasa hayafanyi wanafunzi. Kanisa letu lina programu nyingi na ukuaji mdogo." Mara nyingi hili ni kweli. Programu zinaweza kuwa mbadala wenye shughuli nyingi wa utii. Mwanafunzi huundwa kwa Neno na Roho, katika uhusiano na mwalimu anayeishi anayofundisha. Jibu si kuyatupa madarasa bali kuyaona kuwa zana. Yesu na wale Kumi na Wawili na Paulo na Timotheo wanatufundisha kwamba mafundisho bora ya kufanya wanafunzi huunganisha mafundisho ya kikundi na kielelezo cha kibinafsi na urafiki. Mchungaji anapaswa kuuliza si tu "Wangapi wanahudhuria darasa?" bali "Je, watu wanazidi kufanana na Kristo?"Objection 2: "Classes do not make disciples. Our church has many programs and little growth." This is often true. Programs can become busy substitutes for obedience. A disciple is formed by the Word and the Spirit, in a relationship with a teacher who lives what he teaches. The answer is not to discard classes but to see them as tools. Jesus with the Twelve and Paul with Timothy teach us that the best discipleship combines group teaching with personal example and friendship. A pastor should ask not only "How many attend class?" but "Are people becoming more like Christ?"

Pingamizi la 3: "Watu wana shughuli nyingi, au hawawezi kusoma." Matatizo yote mawili ni halisi. Washiriki wenye shughuli nyingi wanaweza kuhudumiwa vizuri zaidi kwa funzo fupi lililopangwa vizuri wakati ambao tayari wanakusanyika, au kwa vikundi vidogo nyumbani. Mahali ambapo wengi hawawezi kusoma, kanisa halipaswi kuwaacha nyuma. Paulo alimwambia Timotheo ashughulike na kusomwa kwa Maandiko hadharani (1 Timotheo 4:13), na Maandiko yalisomwa kwa sauti kwa watu muda mrefu kabla wengi hawajaweza kumiliki kitabu. Walimu wanaweza kusoma vifungu kwa sauti, kusimulia hadithi za Biblia, kutumia mistari ya kukariri na kurudia masomo muhimu. Kanisa pia linapaswa kuwafundisha watu kusoma inapowezekana. Wabaptisti, wanaothamini usomaji wa kibinafsi wa Biblia, mara nyingi wameunga mkono elimu ya kusoma na kuandika.Objection 3: "People are busy, or they cannot read." Both problems are real. Busy members may be better served by short, well-planned study at times when they already gather, or by small groups in homes. Where many cannot read, the church should not leave them behind. Paul told Timothy to give attention to the public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13), and the Scriptures were read aloud to the people long before most could own a book. Teachers can read passages aloud, tell Bible stories, use memory verses and repeat key lessons. The church should also teach people to read when it can. Baptists, who value personal Bible reading, have often supported literacy.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Mchungaji katika mji mdogo, ambaye tunaweza kumwita Mchungaji Mateo (mfano wa kubuni), anaongoza kanisa la watu sitini. Yeye peke yake ndiye anayefundisha. Jumapili kanisa lote linakaa katika chumba kimoja kusikia ujumbe wake, na watoto wako nyuma. Baadhi ya washiriki wamebatizwa kwa miaka mingi na hawawezi kueleza wanachoamini.A pastor in a small town, whom we may call Pastor Mateo (a fictional example), serves a church of sixty people. Only he teaches. On Sundays the whole church sits in one room for his message, and children are in the back. Some members have been baptized for years and cannot explain what they believe.

Mateo anaomba na kuona kwamba lazima ajizidishe. Anachagua washiriki wanne waaminifu ambao maisha yao ni imara, na anakutana nao Jumamosi jioni kwa saa moja kujifunza kifungu cha siku inayofuata. Katika mwezi wa kwanza anawaomba waongoze vikundi vidogo vya watu sita au wanane, kanisani na nyumbani. Anaanzisha darasa la uanachama kwa washiriki wapya na darasa fupi kwa watoto. Anaomba kanisa liidhinishe hatua hizi katika mkutano wa biashara, ili hakuna mtu anayeshangazwa. Baada ya mwaka kuna vikundi vitatu. Hajafanya kazi kidogo. Amefanya kazi bora zaidi, na kanisa limeanza kujifundisha lenyewe.Mateo prays and sees that he must multiply himself. He chooses four faithful members whose lives are steady, and he meets with them on Saturday evenings for an hour to study the next day's passage. In the first month he asks them to lead small groups of six or eight, in the church and in homes. He starts a membership class for new members and a short class for children. He asks the church to approve these steps at a business meeting, so that nobody is surprised. After a year there are three groups. He has not done less work. He has done better work, and the church has begun to teach itself.

MuhtasariSummary

Yesu analiamuru kanisa lake kufanya wanafunzi kwa kwenda, kubatiza na kufundisha. Kwa sababu Wabaptisti wanabatiza waumini tu, kila mtu aliyebatizwa ni mtu ambaye kanisa limeahidi kumfundisha. Imani zetu kuhusu mamlaka ya Maandiko, ukuhani wa waumini wote na uanachama wa waliozaliwa upya hufanya mafundisho ya Biblia kuwa kiini. Shule ya Jumapili ilianzishwa na Robert Raikes mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1780 kama juhudi ya kuwafikia watoto maskini, ilipokelewa na Wabaptisti katika karne ya kumi na tisa, na ilipata Bodi ya Shule ya Jumapili ya Wabaptisti wa Kusini mwaka 1891. Baadhi ya Wabaptisti waliipinga kuwa haipo katika Maandiko, na tunajibu kwamba mbinu hutumikia amri za Maandiko. Makanisa hutumia aina nyingi za mafundisho, kutoka madarasa hadi vikundi vya nyumbani hadi kufanya wanafunzi kwa kibinafsi. Njia rahisi inaongoza kutoka injili na ubatizo kupitia uanachama, funzo la Biblia, mazoea ya kibinafsi na huduma hadi kuwafunza wengine, kama katika 2 Timotheo 2:2. Walimu lazima wachaguliwe na kufunzwa kwa uangalifu.Jesus commands His church to make disciples by going, baptizing and teaching. Because Baptists baptize believers only, every baptized person is one the church has promised to teach. Our convictions about the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers and regenerate membership make Bible teaching central. The Sunday school was begun by Robert Raikes in the early 1780s as an effort to reach poor children, was taken up by Baptists in the nineteenth century, and received the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board in 1891. Some Baptists opposed it as unscriptural, and we answer that methods serve the commands of Scripture. Churches use many forms of teaching, from classes to home groups to personal discipling. A simple pathway leads from the gospel and baptism through membership, Bible study, personal habits and service to the training of others, as in 2 Timothy 2:2. Teachers must be carefully chosen and trained.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (Mwongozo wa Kanisa) (1867).• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (1867).

• Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students (Mihadhara kwa Wanafunzi Wangu).• Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students.

• Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Mchungaji Aliyerekebishwa) (1656), kuhusu kuwafundisha watu kibinafsi.• Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (1656), on teaching the people personally.

• Kozi ya 1, Kipindi cha 6, kuhusu kuamka kwa kimisionari na kielimu kwa Wabaptisti.• Course 1, Unit 6, on the Baptist missionary and educational awakening.

• Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 5 (ukuhani wa waumini wote) na Kozi ya 4, Kipindi cha 4 (ubatizo katika vitendo).• Course 2, Unit 5 (priesthood of all believers) and Course 4, Unit 4 (baptism in practice).

• Second London Confession (Maungamo ya Pili ya London) (1689) na New Hampshire Confession (Maungamo ya New Hampshire) (1833), kama mifano ya yale Wabaptisti wanayofundisha.• Second London Confession (1689) and New Hampshire Confession (1833), as models of what Baptists teach.

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