What is Biblical Teaching?
Anyone who has been called
to teach God’s Word, has been called to love, serve, and feed the flock of God
that is under their care. In fact, when Jesus exhorted Peter to "feed my
sheep", He explained that feeding God’s people the Word of God, would be
the way Peter could demonstrate his love for Jesus (John 21:15-17). It is no
wonder that Peter refused to get distracted by other things that attempted to
interfere with teaching the Word of God (cf. Acts 6:4).
As ministers of the gospel, it is no different for us. We have been called by Jesus to feed His sheep, and if we are faithful in doing this, our life will be a living testimony that clearly and powerfully demonstrates our love for Jesus.
In order to feed God’s people in a way that honors the Lord, we must lead them from the milk of God’s word (Hebrews 5:12-13), to the meat of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:14). This is the work that every bible teacher is called to diligently strive for (2 Timothy 2:15), and focus the majority of their energy pursuing after (Acts 6:4). It is by faithfully feeding the sheep, that we will best protect the flock (Acts 20:28), mature the flock (Hebrews 5:14), lead the flock (Hebrews 13:7), and equip the flock to serve God (Ephesians 4:11-12).
How should we approach teaching God’s Word to others? There are varying styles of how Bible teachers approach teaching the Word of God, and God uses all of them. However, the most biblically sound method of teaching God’s Word is through Bible exposition.
How does Biblical Exposition occur?
Biblical exposition occurs when the Bible is studied exegetically and preached expository, always pointing to Jesus (John 14:6), and always seeking to teach and grow others in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word (Col. 1:9-10).
The Approach to Biblical Exposition
Studying the Bible exegetically means we dig deep into the text (observation, interpretation, application), to pull the deep riches of scripture and the truths that are contained within it out, in order to accurately explain the passage at hand to our hearers.
Expositional preaching and teaching involves explaining the scriptures in a comprehensive manner, in which the meaning and intent of a biblical text is made clear and understandable to the hearers. Therefore, the goal of the Bible teacher is to clearly interpret and explain the meaning of the Bible. To do this effectively, the teacher starts with a passage of Scripture and studies the grammar, important cultural and contextual background information, the historical setting of the passage at hand, as well as the original intent of the message, the author was presenting to its hearers (i.e. exegetical study). Commentaries, Language Books, and Bible Encyclopedia’s also play a major role in the Bible teachers preparation process.
G. Campbell Morgan, known as “the prince of expositors” (1863-1945), contended that every word from the pulpit should amplify, elaborate on, or illustrate the text at hand, with a view towards clarity. He said, “The sermon is the text repeated more fully.” In other words, a sermon’s primary function is to present the Word of God, in a way that is clear to the people of God, so that the people of God are able to understand the Scriptures, and respond to all that God requires of them.
When delivering an expositional message, Haddon Robinson contends that, "A sermon should be a bullet, not a buckshot. Ideally each sermon is the explanation, interpretation, or application of a single dominant idea supported by other ideas, all drawn from one passage or several passages of Scripture" (Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, p.35)
The Results of Biblical Exposition
Another important aspect to Biblical exposition is making every effort to encourage and exhort the body of Christ to respond to God's word (John 14:21), so they can experience God working in and through their lives (1 Thessalonians 2:13), enabling them to live their lives according to God’s will (Romans 12:2), and for God’s glory (Col. 3:16-17).
The reason this is an important aspect to Biblical exposition, is because when the Bible is taught, it is designed to transform our lives (Romans 12:1-2), sanctify us (John 17:17), equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and establish that we are Jesus’ followers (John 8:31). This is the effects of sound Biblical teaching, and this is what God has called us to do as Bible teachers.
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As ministers of the gospel, it is no different for us. We have been called by Jesus to feed His sheep, and if we are faithful in doing this, our life will be a living testimony that clearly and powerfully demonstrates our love for Jesus.
In order to feed God’s people in a way that honors the Lord, we must lead them from the milk of God’s word (Hebrews 5:12-13), to the meat of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:14). This is the work that every bible teacher is called to diligently strive for (2 Timothy 2:15), and focus the majority of their energy pursuing after (Acts 6:4). It is by faithfully feeding the sheep, that we will best protect the flock (Acts 20:28), mature the flock (Hebrews 5:14), lead the flock (Hebrews 13:7), and equip the flock to serve God (Ephesians 4:11-12).
How should we approach teaching God’s Word to others? There are varying styles of how Bible teachers approach teaching the Word of God, and God uses all of them. However, the most biblically sound method of teaching God’s Word is through Bible exposition.
How does Biblical Exposition occur?
Biblical exposition occurs when the Bible is studied exegetically and preached expository, always pointing to Jesus (John 14:6), and always seeking to teach and grow others in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word (Col. 1:9-10).
The Approach to Biblical Exposition
Studying the Bible exegetically means we dig deep into the text (observation, interpretation, application), to pull the deep riches of scripture and the truths that are contained within it out, in order to accurately explain the passage at hand to our hearers.
Expositional preaching and teaching involves explaining the scriptures in a comprehensive manner, in which the meaning and intent of a biblical text is made clear and understandable to the hearers. Therefore, the goal of the Bible teacher is to clearly interpret and explain the meaning of the Bible. To do this effectively, the teacher starts with a passage of Scripture and studies the grammar, important cultural and contextual background information, the historical setting of the passage at hand, as well as the original intent of the message, the author was presenting to its hearers (i.e. exegetical study). Commentaries, Language Books, and Bible Encyclopedia’s also play a major role in the Bible teachers preparation process.
G. Campbell Morgan, known as “the prince of expositors” (1863-1945), contended that every word from the pulpit should amplify, elaborate on, or illustrate the text at hand, with a view towards clarity. He said, “The sermon is the text repeated more fully.” In other words, a sermon’s primary function is to present the Word of God, in a way that is clear to the people of God, so that the people of God are able to understand the Scriptures, and respond to all that God requires of them.
When delivering an expositional message, Haddon Robinson contends that, "A sermon should be a bullet, not a buckshot. Ideally each sermon is the explanation, interpretation, or application of a single dominant idea supported by other ideas, all drawn from one passage or several passages of Scripture" (Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, p.35)
The Results of Biblical Exposition
Another important aspect to Biblical exposition is making every effort to encourage and exhort the body of Christ to respond to God's word (John 14:21), so they can experience God working in and through their lives (1 Thessalonians 2:13), enabling them to live their lives according to God’s will (Romans 12:2), and for God’s glory (Col. 3:16-17).
The reason this is an important aspect to Biblical exposition, is because when the Bible is taught, it is designed to transform our lives (Romans 12:1-2), sanctify us (John 17:17), equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and establish that we are Jesus’ followers (John 8:31). This is the effects of sound Biblical teaching, and this is what God has called us to do as Bible teachers.
RELATED ARTICLES
1. Why is Doctrine so important?
