Bible teachers need to help their students, young or old, learn to be discerning — to make wise, good, and godly choices. We live in a world that views truth as relative, leaving people to do what is right in their own eyes. But, as God reminds us, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12).
Bible Teachers Can Do the Following to Help Their Students Learn to be More Discerning:
1) Start with Scripture.
God’s Word is the starting point for discernment. Help people understand the power and usefulness of God’s Word “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
For more:
- God’s Word: Power for Ministry
- God’s Word Benefits Us Today
- Want to Be More Discerning? – Get Into the Word
- Importance of Truth
- Source of Truth
Resource Page: How to Teach the Bible’s Content
2) Work toward the practical application of truth to life.
Discernment comes from not just knowing Scripture but using it — “who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14). To get beyond mere head knowledge to applying truth to life, teachers need to employ methods that show students how to do that. Dramatic play can work well with younger children. Role play and case studies can work well with older children, youth, and adults. You’ll find help with those methods plus others in the Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods Resource.
For more:
- Ministry Objective: Not Mere Knowledge
- Responding to God’s Word Only Makes Sense
- How Sad When It’s Like They Were Never There
Resource Page: Application Part of a Bible Lesson – Teacher Training Resources
3) Encourage students to get into the Word on their own.
Teachers must get beyond “spoon-feeding” their students. You cannot possibly cover every need, decision, or obstacle students will face. They need to learn to turn to God’s Word to find answers for their questions and situations they face that weren’t learned in the classroom.
Resource Page: How to Teach Students to Value, Study, Know & Apply the Bible
4) Pray for students.
Teachers can only take students so far. Practicing in a contrived situation is different from applying truth to real life. Remember that while we can’t be there with students every day to help them make the right choices, the Holy Spirit is with them if they have put their trust in Jesus, so pray. They need supernatural power to rise above and consistently make decisions born out of God-centered and love-based discernment. Pray that they live more consistently in line with God and His Word, no matter where they are or who they’re around which requires them to “be transformed by the renewing of their mind. Then they will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).
Resource Pages: