Colossians 3:16 exhorts us to teach and admonish one another.
So far in our series based on Colossians 3:16, we’ve established that Bible teachers should
both teach and admonish,
using the right message,
having the right intensity,
and with the right orientation.
This post turns our attention to the means of teaching and admonishing one another.
The Means for Teaching and Admonishing in Colossians 3:16
We’re to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Col. 3:16). At first glance we might think this verse alludes only to music as our methodology. While it does seem to specifically reference means that typically involve melodic music, there could be more to this verse.
Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit are all odes to God. They are means of praising God. So, perhaps more than the mechanics of singing, the emphasis is more on using that which points to and glorifies God.
Ephesians 5:19-20 refers to “singing and making melody” and also mentions “speaking” in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So, perhaps music is merely a suggested vehicle through which we point one another to God. If we read through Scripture, we find numerous means God has used and continues to use in the teaching-learning process.
Implications for Bible Teachers about Methodology
Immediately following Colossians 3:16, which exhorts us to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit”, we read, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17)
However we teach and admonish, we need to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” which only makes sense when we remember the foundation upon which our teaching unfolds — “the message of Christ” (Col. 3:16).
Whatever means we use to teach and admonish one another should be purposeful in pointing students to our wonderful Lord, who is worthy of all praise. Our methods aren’t merely about the way to communicate truth but more so how to point people to the One who is Truth. All we do in the classroom should lead to this objective. The true means of doing that isn’t our methodology but rather the Spirit. Notice the phrase, “from the Spirit”, in Colossians 3:16. Let rely on the Spirit to guide us in the specific methods to use as we teach and admonish.