Category Archives: Teaching Objectives

Everything written in Scripture teaches. It specifically teaches endurance. And, it’s intended to encourage people in their faith. Since Scripture provides encouragement, then Bible teachers should use it to build up people rather than tear them down.

The Encouragement Scripture Provides

The Greek word for encouragement in Romans 5:4 is “paraklesis” from the words “para” meaning beside and “kaleo” meaning to call. Hence, God uses Scripture to come alongside of us with the help we need.

Psalm 19:7-10 details ways Scripture comes alongside of us, encouraging us.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

Notice the positive attitude toward the Word and its positive effects. With that kind of help, how can we not be encouraged?

When studying a Bible passage, guide students in reflecting on how it encourages them in their walk with the Lord.

Since Scripture Provides Encouragement, Then We Should Use It to Build Up Rather Than Tear Down

We must guard against using Scripture as a battering ram, emphasizing everything people are doing wrong. Such a legalist approach tends to condemn rather than build up. Let’s use the Word to build people up, a more encouraging approach

That doesn’t mean God won’t use His Word to bring conviction. — To the contrary, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). “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)

As we teach the whole counsel of God, there will be parts that target bad attitudes, dysfunctional relationships, and a variety of other sins in people’s lives. We speak the truth but do it in love (Eph. 4:15). We teach in ways that combine grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). We trust God, through His Spirit, to use His Word in people’s lives. It’s up to Him to convict and correct. Our part is to faithfully teach what was written “so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

When God said that everything written in Scripture was meant to teach us, He didn’t simply mean head knowledge. Romans 15:4 points to “the endurance taught in the Scriptures” as something we can learn. Since Scripture teaches endurance, then we need to get beyond merely what the Bible says to what it means for our lives.

Since Scripture Teaches Endurance, Then We Should Teach for That Purpose

Life can be full of ups and downs. Sometimes fears, failures, discouragement, conflict, persecution, troubles, and all sorts of obstacles cause us to want to give up. God doesn’t promise to keep us from hard times. Rather He uses these times to teach us and grow us. — “… the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

We need to present students with a realistic view of the Christian life. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

God will deliver us but it may not happen immediately. God will bear fruit in and through our lives as we abide in Him but we may not see that fruit right away. We may not even learn about how God has used us in people’s lives. Yet, we’re told to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

Examples of Endurance in Scripture

As we read through the Bible, we find real people with real problems. While their situations may differ from ours, we can learn endurance. As people waited on Him and trusted in Him as they endured whatever God allowed into their lives, He came through for them.

Abraham left everything based on God’s promise to make him a great nation yet didn’t bear the child through whom this promise would come true until he was one hundred years old. God is faithful but His timing may not be what we’d expect.

David, though he had a heart after God, still failed, having committed the sins of adultery and murder. But, he repented. Though God forgave Him and still used his lineage through which the Messiah would come, He didn’t remove the consequences of His sin.

Daniel and his friends faced persecution for doing what was right before God. Though Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den and his friends into a fiery furnace, God did deliver them. He used their endurance to teach others about Himself.

Jesus also faced persecution, betrayal, and great suffering though He did no wrong. Unlike Daniel and His friends, God did not deliver Him from agony and death. Yet, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). God was able to keep Him from dying but He didn’t because of the big picture, because of what His death would accomplish.

As we teach these biblical accounts, and others, let’s help people gain this kind of perspective so they learn the merit of enduring.

The Real Lesson About Endurance Learned Through Scripture

More important than what people endured, how long they endured, or their attitudes toward it, is what enabled them to endure. It wasn’t just having the right perspective or purpose. Rather, it was the Person they knew — “the God who gives endurance and encouragement” (Rom. 15:5).

In our teaching, let’s make sure we take our students beyond the stories, to the God at work in and through them. The real lesson isn’t following the example of biblical characters but rather relying on their God.

When we form a sentence with a phrase beginning with the word “since” followed by a clause starting with “then”, we’re looking at cause and effect. So, when referring to a since … then … in Bible teaching, we’re pointing to reasons why we do what we do as teachers of the Word. When we understand why God gave us Scripture, we’ll teach a certain way. God gave us Scripture for a reason … for the effect it would have on us.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Rom. 15:4)

Foundation for the Since … Then … in Bible Teaching

When we use the word “since” it implies a reality upon which we base what we do, the foundation upon which we build. Since, or because, something is true about God’s Word, then Bible teaching will be affected by that truth.

Romans 15:4 gives us four realities that form the “since” in Bible teaching.

1. Everything was Written to Teach Us
2. Scripture Teaches Endurance
3. Scripture Provides Encouragement
4. It All Leads to Hope

When we’re guided by the purpose for which God gave us His Word, it affects how we teach. If we don’t believe these truths about Scripture, that too will affect our teaching. Consequently, it’s important we build on the right foundation. Click on the links above to look at each of the those realities and the effects it has on Bible teaching.

Imagine witnessing your students go from head knowledge to understanding, from understanding to application, and then from application to bearing fruit. How exciting! Praise the Lord! But wait, the process doesn’t end there according to Colossians 1:9-10. Ultimately all this should result in students moving from fruitfulness to knowing God better.

Why Fruitfulness Leads to Knowing God Better

Since God is the One who brings the growth (1 Cor. 3:7), then the resultant fruit reflects back on God. We see His faithfulness, power, grace, and so much more at work in and through us. We not only learn more “about” God but we also experience who He is in a real and personal way. Each time our appreciation and reliance on Him builds and we want to get to know Him even better.

Knowing God is the Ultimate Goal Bible Teachers Should Have for Their Students

As our understanding and appreciation of the Lord increases, so does our reverence and dependence on Him grow, what Scripture calls “the fear of the Lord.” We can’t imagine doing life without Him. We realize more and more that our sufficiency rests in Him. He becomes our all in all. Reflect on the following verses:

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life … (Prov. 14:27)
… through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. (Prov. 16:6)
The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Prov. 19:23)

To know God in this way begins with knowing about Him so as Bible teachers we must correctly teach the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) so students get an accurate picture of who God is, gaining “knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col. 1:9).

We must, however, take students beyond mere head knowledge and understanding by structuring opportunities for them to examine their hearts and seek God’s help to put what they’ve learned in practice.

Though we can’t go with them through their daily lives, we can pray for them and trust God’s Spirit to work in their lives from the inside out so they bear fruit.

Then we can help them process how God’s working in and through their lives draws them into a deeper knowledge of God. That can be done through one-on-one follow-up with students outside of class. It can also be accomplished in-class through a time of sharing which in turn could spur other students on to wanting a similar experience in getting to know God better.