Category Archives: Teaching Topics

If we want students to “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), then we need to take them to the source God uses to teach and equip people, the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). However, we need to get beyond merely telling people what the Word says to how to study the Bible on their own.

Do model how to study the Bible.

How you use the Bible in the classroom can serve as a template for students in their personal study. And, that experience will also serve to either motivate or de-motivate them from wanting to learn on their own. If studying the Bible seems boring and not all that relevant to their lives, why should they want to do it on their own. If, however, they enjoy the class and find what they’re learning to be beneficial, they should have a greater tendency toward opening their Bibles at home.

Don’t make studying the Word merely about acquiring head knowledge.

The ultimate goal in studying the Bible should be two-fold — 1) to get to know God better, 2) for it to make a difference in our lives. That obviously begins with head knowledge for in Scripture we learn about who God is and what He wants to do in and through our lives. Gaining that knowledge, however, should lead to a greater purpose as seen in the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Colossians.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God … (Col. 1:9-10)

From these verses we see a cycle that begins with head knowledge (“knowledge of his will”) which then moves to grasping the implications of that truth for our lives (“through all wisdom and understanding”), and its application (“live a life worthy of the Lord”). As we see how God uses His Word (“bearing fruit”), we gain a greater appreciation and awareness of who God is (“growing in the knowledge of God”). That provides the impetus to want to learn more, so we continue to study the Word going through this same cycle again and again, each time getting to know and love our great God better and better.

Bible teachers should therefore teach students to ask two important questions when they study God’s Word.

1. What does it teach me about God? – React.
2. What should I do as a result? – Respond.

Teacher Training Resource: Discipling Students in the Word of God Worksheet

Other Training & Resources: How to Teach Students to Value, Study, Know & Apply the Bible

Obviously Bible teachers use the Word of God as the Text from which they teach. Here’s an important “do” and “don’t” when teaching about the Bible.

Do get beyond the stories, commands, and doctrine to God Himself when teaching about the Bible.

Starting with the beginning of creation in the Book of Genesis through to God’s end time plan in the Book of Revelation, there’s a lot of content in the Bible. We find many stories and events as we leaf through the pages, along with genealogies, geography, laws, prophecies, doctrine, and so much more. It could be easy to get hung up in WHAT the Bible says rather than WHO the Bible is about.

Don’t assume people will believe something to be true just because it’s in the Bible.

If people haven’t settled the issue of the veracity of God’s Word, they may have trouble believing everything we teach. The following articles deal with issues people may struggle with that teachers should know how to address:

• If the Bible is Accurate, Then What?
• If the Bible is from God, Then What?
• If the Bible is God’s Word, Then What?
• If the Bible is Sacred, Then What?
• If the Bible is Unique, Then What?

Unless students grow into this understanding of the God of the Bible, they will undoubtedly maintain doubts and questions. Teachers need to make getting to know God the priority so people have reason to believe.

God’s Word is filled with promises. Because these promises are wrapped up in His character, we can count on Him to fulfill them. Here’s why: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num. 23:19)

God intends for His promises to encourage us and spur us on to live in the fullness of life in Him. — “… he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature …” (2 Pet. 1:4).

3 Encompassing Promises from God We Need to Share

Here are three of the many, many promises in Scripture under which many of the other promises could be placed. If you want your students to rise above the difficulties in life, use these promises to encourage them in whatever they may be experiencing.

1. His presence (Josh. 1:9; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5)

Wrapped up in His presence we find God’s power and peace giving us courage, confidence, and contentment so we can say, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Ps. 23:4).

2. His provision (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; Eph. 1:3; Phil. 4:19; 2 Pet. 1:3)

Wrapped up in His provision we find God’s grace providing for our eternal salvation and all we need for life here and now as His “grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9).

3. His protection (Jn. 10:28-30; Rom. 8:31-39; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 3:3)

Wrapped up in His protection we find God’s faithfulness toward us which brings reassurance and rest as nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:31-39).

How Bible Teachers can Share these Promises:

If teaching in a classroom or small group setting digitally or in-person, help students see the faithfulness, power, and grace of God whether it be through Bible stories being taught or doctrine.

Only a gracious God will make promises we don’t deserve. Only a faithful God can be counted on to keep those promises. And, only an all-powerful God is capable of always fulfilling His promises.

If seeking to provide hope and encouragement through the above promises, teachers may find students unmoved if they haven’t grasped the faithfulness, power, and grace of God. We need grounds to believe that God will be true to His word. His character provides the foundation needed so teachers must be sure to present God in the fullness of who He is.

If not formally teaching in a classroom setting, you can still teach these truths through a variety of means.

• Incorporate these promises into e-mails, texts, social media posts, etc., sometimes stating the promise, sometimes typing out a Bible verse, and sometimes providing both a statement and a verse.
• Send a series of three postcards or note cards through the postal service, maybe one a week, each containing one of the above promises.
• Copy the image in this post into an e-mail and send it to your students with a personal note from you about it. (You have permission to use the above image in that way.)

How Ministry Leaders Can Communicate this to their Bible Teachers:

Use the share buttons below to pass this article on to your teachers.

Because of who God is, we can rely on Him to be the Source of all we truly need to make it through life, no matter what we might be experiencing. Bible teachers can share these realities with their students both in-class and out of the classroom in a variety of ways to encourage them to look to God in the midst of both the good and bad in life.

God is the Source of What We Need

Notice the word “all” in 2 Corinthians 9:8. — “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

Bible teachers who want this for their students can share these realities with their students:

1) God is our Source of Peace.

Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good for doing his will … (Heb. 13:20-21)

Why We Need This Provision: Without His peace anxiety may overtake us. (Phil. 4:6-9)

2) God is our Source of Hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

Why We Need This Provision: Without hope, depression may overtake us. (Prov. 13:12)

3) God is our Source of Strength.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

Why We Need This Provision: Without the strength He provides, weariness my overtake us. (Isa. 40:28-31)

When we find God to be the Source of the above provisions, it can be surprising what we’re able to endure. We’ll be able to join the Apostle Paul in saying, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil. 4:12)

How Bible Teachers can Share these Messages of God’s Provisions for Life

If teaching in a classroom or small group setting digitally or in-person, discuss the implications of truths being learned in light of God’s provisions. No matter what students are learning, if God doesn’t provide the peace, hope, and strength to apply those truths, their lives will not change. But, when they find God to be the Source of ALL they need, nothing is impossible.

If not formally teaching in a classroom setting, you can still teach these truths through a variety of means.

• Incorporate them into e-mails, texts, social media posts, etc..
• Send a series of three postcards or note cards through the postal service, maybe one a week, each containing one of the above messages.
• Copy the image in this post into an e-mail and send it to your students with a personal note from you about it. (You have permission to use the above image in that way.)

How Ministry Leaders Can Communicate this to their Bible Teachers:

Use the share buttons below to pass this article on to your teachers.