When we teach from the Ultimate Text, aiming toward the Ultimate Goal, having the Ultimate Motivation, pulling on the Ultimate Source of power, with the Ultimate Teacher at the helm, we’ll undoubtedly end up with Ultimate Results.
What are the Ultimate Results of Bible Teaching
Teaching that leads to the ultimate goal of people getting to know God better, not just about Him, changes lives. People become more and more Christ-like.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:17)
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-24)
… have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col. 3:10)
Examples of How Knowing God Changes Lives
Look at Isaiah. He had undoubtedly heard much about God but when He “saw” the glory of God, that moved him first to repentance, not just to worship, and then to service. –“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isa. 6:5) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8)
Also consider Job. He held true to what He knew about God through His pain, suffering, and loss. Yet, after encountering God in the midst of it, he admitted, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) He recognized that his limited head-knowledge wasn’t enough. He encountered an all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful God beyond his comprehension and that changed his perspective.
Finally, look at the Apostle Paul. Described as “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee”, he was faultless when it came to the law. He was so zealous for the Jewish faith that he persecuted Christians (Phil. 3:3-6). Then He met Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life changed to the extent that the persecutor became the persecuted. He said, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ … (Phil. 3:7-14)
Next Steps in Teaching for Changed Lives
Are you seeing these kinds of results through your teaching? If not, pray over each of the “ultimates” in Bible teaching. Ask God to show you where your teaching isn’t reaching the ultimate. Ask Him to help you better grasp these realities and align your teaching with them.
Use this free PDF with an acrostic to reflect on the kinds of change God wants to bring in people’s lives as a result of your teaching of His Word. Let it guide your prayers about the impact your teaching has.
Also consider working through the Teaching for Changed Lives Workbook to go deeper into how to teach for these kinds of results.