The Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching God’s Word

by Bryan Gibson

DO view yourself as a servant to those whom you teach (2 Corinthians 4:5).

DO study so you’ll be prepared to teach and handle the word of God properly (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15).

DO teach with authority – not your own; that of God’s word (Titus 2:15).

DO teach accurately the things of the Lord, and be willing to be corrected if you don’t
(Acts 18:24-26; Proverbs 10:17).

DO teach yourself as you teach others (Romans 2:21).

DO practice what you teach (Matthew 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:16).

DO teach so that you can be understood (1 Corinthians 14:9, 19).

DO teach with gentleness and humility (1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

DO teach with boldness, or confidence (Acts 4:29-31; 18:26; 28:31).

DO teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27).

DO challenge people to apply what they’ve been taught (Joshua 24:14-15; Acts 26:28).

DO teach with the following goals: to help others learn the truth (2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 8:32); to change people into the image of Christ, to help them become all that God wants them to be (Colossians 1:28), to save the souls of those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:16; James 1:21; Romans 1:16).

DON’T teach the commandments and doctrines of men (Matthew 15:7-9; Colossians 2:20-23; Titus 1:14).

DON’T teach any other doctrine than the doctrine of Christ (Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 John 1:9).

DON’T use persuasive words of human wisdom, because people’s faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1-5).

DON’T feature or promote yourself in your teaching (2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

DON’T teach the Bible in an unprofitable way, arguing about matters that either have no answer or no relevance at all (2 Timothy 2:14; 1 Timothy 6:4).

DON’T cease teaching (Acts 5:42), because there will always be a need; there will always be souls that need to be saved (2 Timothy 4:2).

DON’T teach until you understand the responsibility and judgment that go along with it (James 3:1).

DON’T ever be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16; Mark 8:38).

DON’T back down from the truth, just because some don’t like it (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29).