In a previous post, we noted that Bible illiterate teachers produce Bible illiterate students. Certainly Bible illiterate teachers need to grow in Bible knowledge but, as we’ll see in the following Bible verses, we all need to keep growing.
Teachers Need to Grow in Bible Knowledge So They Accurately Represent God
God commands all believers to grow and He uses Scripture to bring us to a greater knowledge of Himself. If Bible teachers don’t know Scripture, how will they accurately represent God to their students.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Pet. 3:18)
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:12-14)
He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” (Lk. 6:39-40)
Teachers Will be Held Accountable for What They Say So Growth in Their Bible Knowledge is Important
Bible teachers are held to higher accountability for what they say so they need to grow in knowledge in order teach that which aligns with God and His Word.
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
God Helps Teachers Who Want to Grow in Their Knowledge of Him and His Word
Learning God’s Word begins with a desire to do so.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Pet. 2:2-3)
Understanding Scripture takes reliance on the Holy Spirit.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (1 Cor. 2:13)
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. 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)
Teacher Training Resource: What Bible Teachers Need to Know About God’s Word Worksheet