Teaching God’s Word

“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

Titus 2:1

Teaching the Bible to others was something I had never really contemplated throughout most of my life. But when the Lord used a pastor in the Philippines to call me into the ministry of teaching pastors and church leaders 20 years ago, I found myself in the awkward position of having to do so. Although I was called to teach and train on leadership and management for the Church, the ultimate source of that training was God’s Word. I often remind our global trainers that although we teach on church leadership and management, we are really teaching God’s Word. It is because our training is based on God’s Word and what He has to say on this topic.

Jesus told his disciples before he ascended to heaven to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey all I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  In the same way, I believe Jesus is calling all of his followers to teach the Word as well, including you and me. That means we should teach his Word to others in Bible studies, in sharing our faith, in prayer, or in raising our children. But the Bible also says that “some are called to be teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). And I believe that God has indeed called me specifically to be a teacher of His Word as a ministry. And I have been doing so since 2002, even though I have never received formal Bible training nor attended any seminary or Bible college.

That lack of formal training often creeps into my mind (obviously planted by Satan) to try and distract me from that calling. I am aware of the Scripture that says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) And that is true for me as well. But it is also an encouragement, because it compels me to read and study Scripture even more so that I don’t misquote it, misread it, or misrepresent it to others. But I often still feel somewhat unqualified to be a teacher. I think that comes from our western culture that says we must have a degree or a certification from an educational institution to be considered qualified. In other words, we must have some sort of evidence that we are qualified to teach. It’s like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, who was told he only needed a diploma to have evidence of a brain! But the Bible makes no such demand. It simply says that we “must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

To be a good teacher, however, one must also have some practical experience in what they are teaching. Many teachers simply teach what is in a textbook and do not have any practical experience in the subject that they are teaching. That often results in them not being able to answer questions effectively or give students knowledge on how to apply what they are learning. The best teachers are those who not only know the material they are teaching, but who have also applied that teaching in their own life and can then offer examples on how to apply it to the student’s life or career pursuit.  Jesus said in Matthew 11:19, “Wisdom is proved right by its actions.” Consequently, wisdom comes from applying the knowledge that we are taught in our lives. If we are to be a good teacher of God’s Word, therefore, we must also then practice what we preach by applying God’s Word in our own lives!

In my business career I often attended national conferences about topics that pertained to my job. There would often be large plenary sessions for everyone taught by some well-known speakers, and there would be workshops led by others who were generally less well known. They led the workshops because they had practical experience in the subject they were teaching. And I usually found those workshops more beneficial than any talk by a well-known speaker. It was because the well-known speaker often only shared principles and philosophies and not so much practical applications of what they were teaching. I found the best help and ideas from the workshop leaders who had tried to apply those principles and knew what worked and what didn’t, and most importantly, why. It’s the same with teaching God’s Word. It is not enough to just know what it says. It’s also important to know what happens when we apply it in our lives. Because in doing that we actually discover the truth of God’s Word and its wisdom for us.

I think it is fair to also point out that as human teachers, we are still sinful. We are not perfect as Jesus was. Consequently, none of us are fully able to live out God’s Word as we teach it. But does that mean that what we are teaching is not true or God’s Word? No, it doesn’t. We can still teach God’s Word even though we fail to keep it ourselves, as long as what we are teaching is truly God’s Word and not our version of it. We mislead others when we teach falsely or misrepresent what God’s Word actually says or means. That is why all teachers of God’s Word must be careful to study His Word and be guided by the Holy Spirit as we teach it.

Teaching God’s Word has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I not only get to share and teach it in our ministry of training, but I also have the opportunity to teach it in my church on a regular basis, in my men’s Bible study group twice a month, and to a group of homeless men each month. As a teacher, I must also be better prepared than my students, because they will ask questions – tough questions! And when I don’t know the answer, I know exactly where to send them – right back into God’s Word!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17