Bible Verses Related to Living What You Teach:
For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Cor. 4:17)
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. (Lk. 6:40)
If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth — you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? (Rom. 2:19-21)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)
God’s Word is clear that Bible teaching must equal Bible living which would apply to both teachers and students. This suggests a two-fold objective for teachers:
- 1) Practice what you teach.
- 2) Teach others to practice what they learn.
Bible Teachers need to Practice What They Teach
- How can teachers expect to take students far enough in the learning process if they themselves don’t go there? Can the blind lead the blind?
- How can teachers expect students to buy in to what they are saying if their living doesn’t equal what they are teaching? Will they value the words of hypocrites?
The lives of Bible teachers either underscore the truth being taught or seemingly invalidate it. Hypocrisy does little to motivate students to apply truth to their own lives. A model of truth in action helps them see it is possible.
Bible Teachers Need to Help Students Understand that Bible Teaching Must Equal Bible Living
- How will the teaching make a difference in students’ lives if they don’t apply it to their lives?
- How will students apply truth to their lives if they don’t see its relevancy to their lives?
The lives of students will be impacted only if they go far enough in the learning process. Bible teachers must structure the lesson to help students not only “know” what the Word says but also understand the implications of truth to their lives and how to apply it.