Bible teachers, think about what you hope to accomplish by teaching the Word. Having goals is important, but so are the kinds of goals. Take time for reflection: Are your goals worthy in terms of the Text you teach and the God you proclaim? Or, are they more humanistic, self-improvement types of objectives?
An Acrostic Showing What Makes Goals Worthy for Bible Teaching
Use this acrostic to remind yourself of what will make goals for teaching align with God’s intent. Reflect on the questions and determine if you need to make changes.
G – God-centered (Jn. 17:3; Col. 1:9-10; 2 Pet. 1:3; 3:18)
Is your ultimate goal for people to get to know God better? Is your teaching focused on God’s work in people’s lives?
O – Other-oriented (Rom. 15:2; Eph. 4:16; Phil. 2:3-7)
Do you truly teach for its benefit on your students? Are you focused more on how people are learning than how well you’re teaching?
A – Application-driven (James 1:22-25; 2:14-19)
Do you teach for more than people just knowing what the Bible says? Are you also concerned they’re applying these truths to daily life? Do you go beyond mere belief alone to acting on what they believe?
L – Life-changing (Jn. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:17)
Are you aiming for more than external conformity? How important is transformation from the inside out? Do you want people to know truth with the purpose of being set free to live more and more in the newness of life found in Jesus Christ?
S – Scripture-based (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12)
Does your teaching align with God’s Word? Do you view Scripture as that which will equip people to know God better and live for Him?