Teaching

Teaching God's word in a prison setting is not the same as teaching an adult Sunday School or a Wednesday evening class. In those classes you are teaching people who are usually well-grounded in the basic or fundamental truths in the Scriptures.

The prison environment is, of course, different and so are the students to varying degrees. We can be sure that the inmate students have some pre-conceived ideas about so many things that are firmly set in their minds. They are uncertain about so many things and are very sure about many others. But one thing is certain, they desperately want a better way of life than the one they have been living. Their own way of life went wrong, as witness where they are. By their very background and present living conditions they are inclined to be somewhat skeptical. This is very much to the advantage to all in the Christ Prison Ministry as our entire teaching is based on just one book, the Bible. And this is as it should be.

One to One

One to one, what does it mean? It is the teaching of the blessed gospel message and endeavoring to bring souls to Christ on an individual basis. For many it can be calling on a neighbor or a loved one and pointing the way to salvation. It can mean sending Bible courses to far away lands and marking returned papers. But to other dedicated souls it means prison ministry for the individual behind bars. Visiting and teaching men and women who need face to face instruction.

A very important question is, what is there in it for me? At first glance this seems like a selfish, pushy question that is to be avoided at all costs. Not so. There is no joy and blessing and necessity greater in the Christian life than that of sharing our hope of salvation and our scriptural knowledge with others. This is something that must be shared or we lose it ourselves.

First consider the value of even one soul to God. “For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat. 16:26). Also note John 3:16.

It is of vital importance that we take to heart the words of Jesus to His close followers, His disciples, in Matthew 25:43,45, “I was a stranger, and you took Me not in: naked, and you clothed Me not: sick and in prison and you visited Me not... ...Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to Me.”

In prison ministry we must keep in mind that everyone is an individual with joys and sorrows, aches and pains, and a deep yearning to be known, not as a number or a statistic, but as a separate individual, by name. God loves us not by numbers but one by one, a soul precious in His sight.

What does it take to be an effective servant for Christ in prison? Undoubtedly the first thing needed is a heartfelt desire to obey the command our Savior gave in Mark 16:15, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Next would be well-planned scriptural lessons by a caring teacher. "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). And the third, which is equally important, is patience. In some ways it can be the great path that leads another soul to Christ. When Jesus warned us about casting our pearls before swine, He did not intend in any way to discourage anyone from using the much needed patience as long as there is the least spark of hope.

In one to one Bible studies persistence is closely related to patience. How very much is it worth to take the time and effort to save a soul? We can do no less.

Clem Cole
Vacaville, Ca. Taken from "Christ Prison Ministry" (1982)