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 … then …
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.