Q & A—Teaching God’s Word

by Bryan Gibson

#1 What should motivate us to teach the truth? Faith—in Christ Himself, in the power of His blood, in the power of his gospel (2 Corinthians 4:13); love—a genuine concern for the souls of others (Philippians 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 2:8); the terror of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11).

#2 What kind of preparation is necessary to teach the Bible? Prayer (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18-19; Colossians 4:2-3); an understanding of our accountability to God (James 3:1); diligent and careful study (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:6, 13, 15); faithfulness to the Lord (2 Timothy 2:2), because we want to teach by word and by example.

#3 In Titus 2:15, Titus is given the following command: “Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority.” How can we teach “with all authority”? By accurately teaching the word of God (Acts 18:25; 2 Timothy 4:2), just like Jesus did (John 7:16-18; 12:49-50).

#4 In what manner should we teach the word of God? With boldness and confidence (Acts 9:27, 29; 28:31); with humility (2 Timothy 2:24-26); with love (Ephesians 4:15); and with longsuffering (2 Timothy 4:2).

#5 What should be our goals as we teach the gospel? To help others learn the truth (2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 8:32); to produce faith, love, and a sincere conscience (1 Timothy 1:3-5); to equip other saints for work in God’s kingdom (Ephesians 4:13-15); to present every man perfect or complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:16-17); to save ourselves and those who hear us (1 Timothy 4:16).

#6 What must be true of teaching for it to edify, or build up? It must be the word of God (Acts 20:32); it must be clearly understood (1 Corinthians 14:9, 19; Matthew 13:23); and it must challenge the listeners to apply what they’ve been taught (Joshua 24:14-15; Acts 26:28).

#7 What kind of people receive teaching the best? Those with humble hearts, who realize how badly they need it (Psalms 25:9; Matthew 11:25; Mark 12:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; James 1:21).

#8 How can teachers do more harm than good? By teaching the commandments and doctrines of men (Matthew 15:7-9); by teaching any doctrine besides the doctrine of Christ (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 John 1:9); by using persuasive words of human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1-5); by featuring themselves instead of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5); by being more interested in pleasing man than in pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 2:4; Galatians 1:10); by not teaching themselves as they teach others (Romans 2:21).

#9 Do we have to be eloquent to teach the gospel? No. Paul described himself as “untrained in speech” (2 Corinthians 11:6), and yet, he was very effective. We can’t all be eloquent, like Apollos (Acts 18:24), but we can have his other characteristics. We can be “instructed in the way of the Lord”; we can be “fervent and spirit; and we can teach “accurately the things of the Lord” (Acts 18:25-26).