Scripture: Why Teach the Bible?

Scripture: Why Teach the Bible?

     The Bible is at the center of Christianity. Indeed, it should be at the center of the Christian life. Believers ought to immerse themselves in word of God. After all, it is just that, the word of God! We should read it, know it, believe it, live it, sing it, memorize it, trust it, meditate on it, preach it, teach it, hear it, and obey it. In a word, Christians need to feast on the scriptures. The Bible is our food, light, guide, and drink. The Bible reveals to us our great God, his amazing salvation, the Son, the Spirit, the work of the Trinity, the glory of God, and a myriad of other life-shattering and eternal truths.

The word of God is to be taught. Why? Because of the examples of teaching that have come before us. Here are many examples of teaching throughout Scripture.

1. God taught (Ex. 3:15; Deut. 4:36; Ps. 25:12, 32:8; Is. 2:3)
2. Christ taught (Matt. 5:2, 7:28-29; Lk. 24:27, 44-49; Eph. 4:21)
3. Holy Spirit teaches (Neh. 9:20; Lk. 12:12; 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Jn. 2:27)
4. Creation teaches (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20)
5. Old Testament priests taught (Lev. 10:11; Deut. 24:8, 33:8-10; 2 Kin. 17:27-28; Ez. 7:10; Neh. 8:7)
6. Kings taught (Ps. 34:11, 51:13; Prov. 1:1-7; 1 Kin. 4:32-34; Ecc. 12:9)
7. Prophets taught (1 Sam. 9:27, 12:23; 2 Chron. 17:7; Mic. 5:2)
8. Parents are to teach their children (Deut. 4:10, 6:7; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:15)
9. Disciples taught (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42, 4:2, 6:2-4)
10. Paul taught (Acts 11:26, 20:20; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 2:7)
11. The church and its teachers are to teach (Col. 3:16; Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11; Tit. 1:5, 9)
12. Pastors are to teach (1 Tim. 3:2, 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:24, 4:13; Tit. 2:1)
13. Older women are to teach younger women (Tit. 2:3-4)

     Teaching, as we can see, is essential. Teaching is ministry. But, what is to be taught. Obviously, the word of God, but what does one teach?

     First, teach Christ. He is at the center of the Bible. Teach Christ to the lost (Acts 8:35, 17:3, 18:25-28, 28:23-24). Teach Christ to believers (Acts 5:42, 15:35, 28:31). The lost and found alike both need to hear about Christ.

     Second, teach spirituality. Teach what the Bible teaches on any number of subjects. Christians need to know what God expects of them- how they are to live, grow, and most importantly, how to honor and glorify God. Teach...

1. To the immature (1 Cor. 3:1-3, 14:20; Heb. 5:13-14)
2. To the mature (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:14)
3. Read Scripture (Acts 17:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:16)
4. Follow Christ (Col. 3:1-2; Heb. 12:2)
5. Prayer (Lk. 18:1-8; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:1)
6. Self-control (Rom. 6:12; 1 Cor. 9:24-25; Gal. 5:23; Tit. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:6)
7. Holiness (Lev. 11:45; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:24; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11)
8. Patience (Rom. 12:12; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:24; Jms. 5:7)
9. Love (Jn. 15:12; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Eph. 5:2; Col. 3:14; Heb. 13:1)
10. Perseverance (Matt. 10:22; Jn. 8:31-32; Gal. 6:9; Eph. 6:18; Col. 1:22-23; Heb. 3:14; 12:1)
11. Joy (Rom. 5:2-3, 11, 14:7; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 3:1, 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:8)
12. Peace (Rom. 5:1, 8:6; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:13; 2 Thess. 5:16)
13. Faithfulness (2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 5:22; 1 Jn. 5:4)
14. Put away sin (1 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess. 5:22; Heb. 12:1)
15. Forgiveness (Matt. 5:39-41; Rom. 12:20; 1 Cor. 6:7; Col. 3:13)

     Third, teach ethics. The word of God is replete with instruction on ethical issues. Believers need to know how to live in this world. Teach...

1. Faithfulness (1 Cor. 4:2; Rom. 14:12)
2. Holiness (Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:16)
3. Love God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39)
4. Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12)
5. Forgive (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:21-35; Lk. 12:13-34)
6. Submit to God's law (Rom. 8:7)
7. Submit to government (Rom.13:1-5; Tit. 3:1)
8. Submit to leaders (1 Cor. 16:16)
9. Gossip and busybodies (2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:15)
10. Murder (Ex. 20:13; 1 Jn. 3:15)
11. Divorce (Matt. 5:31-32; 1 Cor. 7:27)
12. Homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
13. Miscellaneous (Matt. 5:21-6:4; Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:5-14; Heb. 13:4-5)

     Fourth, teach the word. This sounds so easy, in fact, everything that has been said thus far has to do with the word. It must go beyond that. Teaching cannot and must not remain on the surface- it has to be taught in order for the word of God to penetrate the minds and hearts of God's people in order to change their wills and desires.

1. Teach doctrine (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 1:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Tit. 1:9, 2:1)
2. Contains the promise of the gospel (Lk. 24:27, 44-47; Rom. 1:2, 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Tit. 1:2)
3. Testifies of Christ (Jn. 5:39; Acts 10:43, 18:28)
4. Guide (Prov. 6:23; Ps. 119: 105; 2 Pet. 1:19)
5. Make wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15; Jms. 1:21)
6. Profitable for doctrine and practice (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
7. Living and powerful (Heb. 4:12)
8. Perfect, pure, and true (Ps. 19:7, 12:6, 119:140, 119:160; Jn. 17:17)
9. Written for the believer's instruction (Rom. 15:4)
10. Regenerates (Jms. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23)
11. Illuminates (Ps. 119:130)
12. Revives the soul, makes the simple wise, brings joy to the heart, enlightens the eyes, warns (Ps. 19:7-11)
13. Sanctifies (Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26)
14. Produces faith, hope, and obedience (Jn. 20:31; Ps. 119:49; Rom. 15:4; Deut. 17:19-20)
15. Promotes growth (1 Pet. 2:2)
16. Builds up, admonishes, and comforts (Acts 20:32; Ps. 19:11; 1 Cor. 10:11; Ps. 119:82; Rom. 15:4)
17. Works effectually in believers (1 Thess. 2:13)

    The Bible, the very words of God, ought to be at the center of our lives as believers. Our lives ought to conform to God's standard. In order for this to be achieved, the Bible has to be taught. Scripture should be...

1. Standard of teaching (1 Pet. 4:11)
2. Believed (Jn. 2:22)
3. Read (Deut. 17:19; Is. 34:16)
4. Read publicly (Deut. 31:11-13; Neh. 8:3; Acts 13:15)
5. Searched (Jn. 5:39, 7:52; Acts 17:11)
6. Heard and obeyed (Matt. 7:24; Lk. 11:28; Jms. 1:22)
7. Loved and delighted in (Ps. 119:97, 113, 159, 167; Ps. 1:2)
8. Meditated on (Ps. 1:2, 119:99, 48)
9. Memorized (Ps. 119:11; Matt. 4:1-11; Col. 3:16)
10. Trusted and obeyed (Ps. 119:42, 67; Lk. 8:21; Jn. 17:6)