Category Archives: About Bible Teaching

In a previous post we noted that Bible teachers should both teach and admonish their students based on Colossians 3:16. This approach aims at students not only knowing truth but living in accordance with it. For that to happen we need the right message.

What the Right Message Is as We Teach and Admonish

According to Colossians 3:16, teaching and admonishing should happen when “the message of Christ” dwells among us. Does that mean we only teach the New Testament? Jesus Himself, as well as other verses in the New Testament answer that for us.

Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of His day saying, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” (Jn. 5:39). The Scripture they studied would have been the Old Testament law and prophets. According to Jesus, the message of Christ, is within those writings. He went on to say, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” (Jn. 5:46) which means the Old Testament is sufficient to lead us to Jesus. After His resurrection, Jesus took His disciples “through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk. 24:27).

Jesus did not come to set aside the Law or Prophets. He said, “I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:17-19)

The Apostle Paul said, “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27). He didn’t have the New Testament as we have today but would have derived much of his instruction from the teaching of the Old Testament as well as what he directly received from Christ. Elsewhere we read that “ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). And, “EVERYTHING that was written in the past was written to teach us” (Rom. 15:4).

Also consider that the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles AND prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). Again, notice the spotlight on Jesus while bringing the old and new together.

Teaching the whole counsel provides a consistent, coherent message that all points to Christ. That’s the message that needs to dwell among us as we teach and admonish one another. Jesus changes lives.

When thinking about the teaching-learning process we first need to determine the end goal and then determine steps the teacher and the learner must take to get there.

Questions About the Teaching-Learning Process

What’s the significance of using a process?

If our goal in Bible teaching is for students to know God better, not just about Him, and apply His truth to their lives, then we need a plan to reach that goal. We don’t automatically move from head knowledge to life application. If we merely present the facts in Scripture, some of the truths may sink in but many may not. When we take students through a process, or systematic plan, of moving from knowledge to understanding to its implications and application, they’ll more likely better understand and grasp how to apply that truth to their various life situations. The whole of the Christian life is a process of growing and changing. We aren’t instantly changed when we first put our trust in Jesus. We’re to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Taking people through a process in class shows them how to engage in the learning process when not in class.

The Bible Teacher’s Handbook of Frequently Asked Questions resource ask two more questions about the teaching-learning process.

• Is there a set process that should be followed in teaching the Bible?
• Are factors other than lesson structure a part of the process?

The handbook asks a total of 153 questions covering 49 different topics related to Bible teaching.

Of Scripture we read that “EVERYTHING that was written in the past was written to teach us” (Rom. 15:4). Since everything was written to teach, then both what and how we teach the Word matters.

Since Everything was Written to Teach, Then We Should Teach the Whole Counsel of God

God repeats this concept in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. — “ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …” — Those verses give us the reason, “so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. If we want students to be “thoroughly equipped” then we need the full scope of what the Bible teaches for it is “all” useful. Everything was written to teach.

How tempting it can be, however, to avoid the hard parts of Scripture, either the parts we don’t fully understand or parts we don’t like. In an effort to avoid offending people, we might skip over that which God calls sin. We might focus on the love, grace, mercy, and goodness of God and avoid how He is also a holy, righteous, and just God. When we pick and choose, we present to people an anemic God rather than a great and awesome God worthy of their devotion.

“Everything” includes even what may seem like the more boring parts such as genealogies and instructions about the Old Testament laws, feasts, sacrifices, and temple construction. We may not spend an entire session doing an exegesis all these lists and details but we can at least reference them, pointing to the broader principles and what it teaches about God. With a little creativity, teaching those parts doesn’t have to be boring.

Because Everything in Scripture Teaches, the Word Still Has Value Today

Though “written in the past”, the Bible still has relevance for today. It’s not merely some ancient book but rather “is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

Some of the Old Testament laws and sacrifices may not apply to us today since we are in Christ Jesus. That, however doesn’t lessen the teaching value. The God of the Old Testament is the same God today. Much of what we read in the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ and can help cement an understanding of our need for a Savior and that Jesus is the Promised One (Jn. 20:31). That alone provides value to the whole of Scripture. Even Jesus used Moses and all the prophets to explain “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Lk. 24:25-27).

Bible teachers, are you teaching like everything written in the past still has value today? If so, like the Apostle Paul, you will not “shrink from declaring … the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, RSV). You will teach with confidence, assured that God will use His Word in people’s lives today.

Based on Hebrews 4:12, we know that God’s Word remains relevant for today because it’s alive. And, we know it’s a means God uses to work in people’s lives because it’s active. Did you also notice how accurately it zeros in on and addresses our deepest needs?

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

Metaphor that Shows How the Word of God is Accurate

Hebrews 4:12 describes God’s Word as sharper than any double-edged sword. That metaphor lets us know that …

the Bible pierces deep into the inner part and exposes what’s there.

Like a sword, which has a sharp point, the Word “penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow” so it accurately targets what’s truly happening. Since our inner being is so intertwined, we humans have a difficult time distinguishing between soul and spirit but God, through His Word, pinpoints the precise need, motivation, attitude, or thought. Consequently, it is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

the Bible cuts to the core of the matter and gets it right every time.

As a double-edged sword can cut from either direction, so the Word cuts away all our excuses, denials, and disbelief and leaves us with the choice to either follow the Lord or not.

Often metaphors used to describe that which relates to an eternal, infinite God tend to fall short. So it is with using a double-edged sword to illustrate the way God uses Scripture. Hence, we must make sure to include the part about how it is “sharper than” a double-edged sword, of “any” double-edged sword. The powerful effect of God’s Word goes beyond our ability to fully understand or describe.

Teach the Bible Like the Powerfully Accurate Book It Is

Though we may not be able to fully grasp just how God uses His Word, we can trust Him to use it in students’ lives even when we don’t see or understand how He’s using it (Isa. 55:11). We just need to remain faithful in preparing and presenting Bible lessons as “a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Of course, when we truly believe how powerful God’s Word is, prayer will be critical throughout the entire teaching process from preparation to follow-up and everything in-between.

We will want students to grasp how Scripture addresses their deepest needs. We can do that by not only teaching what the Bible says but also sharing how God uses it by …

• testifying about how God has used the Scripture being learned in our own life.
• illustrating (verbal story or video clip) how God worked it out in another person’s life.
• incorporating time for students to share what God is teaching them through it.

And, then be sure to celebrate what God does in and through the teaching of His powerful Word, giving thanks to Him and praising His glorious name!