Category Archives: God’s Word

Do you truly realize what happens when we teach Scripture?

In Bible teaching, we’re handling and sharing with others, the words of an Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the all-knowing, all-powerful, always wise and sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords.

Scripture describes itself as penned by human writers, but “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). We also read that “all Scripture is God breathed” which makes it so useful to thoroughly equip us for every good deed (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

No other book has the same authoritative base because of its Author … an absolute standard to live by. No other book has as much power to change lives because of its Author … a relevant standard to live by. — What an awesome privilege and responsibility we have in teaching God’s Word to others.

Implications for Teachers and Leaders for Bible Teaching

Bible teachers, the first question to ask is if you truly believe this to be true. If so, you will then treat God’s Word as unique and more important than any other book. You will take great care to “rightly divide” it (2 Tim. 2:15) and then you will confidently and enthusiastically present a Lesson Worth Teaching.

Church leaders, you also need to ask if you truly believe in the Bible’s authoritative base. If so, you will see the importance of making Bible teachers training a priority to equip teachers to effectively teach the Word of God. (The TrainBibleTeachers.com site can help you think through this process.) Also, if you truly believe in the Bible’s authoritative base, you will seek to align what you say and do with Scripture. (The TrainChurchLeaders.com Practicum seeks to look at various leadership tasks and responsibilities through the grid of God’s Word.)

In this post, we will consider what should be the greatest motivation for devotion to God’s Word — a proper view of the God of the Bible.

Being Devoted to the Word Makes Sense If We View God for Who He Is

A God who is perceived as all-knowing, all-powerful, and always faithful is Someone whose words should hold weight in our hearts and minds.  Why would we not want to tenaciously cling to what this kind of God says?  Devotion to God’s Word makes sense with this kind of Author.

Remove the “all” and “always” and you have an anemic God.  Why would we devote ourselves to learning and following the words of that kind of God?  It just wouldn’t make sense if we didn’t know for sure what is true and what isn’t and whether or not He could or would follow through on what He said.

1. Is the God of Scripture all-knowing?

A God who is not omniscient could make mistakes in the content of His Word.  Only a God who knows the beginning from the end could put together a consistently accurate and cohesive book written over the course of time through the instrument of multiple human authors (Heb. 1:1).

2. Is the God of Scripture all-powerful?

A God who is not omnipotent could fail to back up all that is written in the Word.  Only a God who can do all things is capable of fulfilling the “desire and achieve the purpose” for which it was given (Isa. 55:11).

3. Is the God of Scripture always faithful?

A God who is not always faithful might not keep His Word because He could change His mind or have a bad day.  Only a God who is always faithful can be considered trustworthy (Ps. 111:7-8; Heb. 10:23).

How we view the God of Scripture has to make a difference in our level of devotion to His Word.  The greater we perceive Him to be, the more likely we will be to adhere to His Word.

Likewise, how we present this God to others will help motivate them to believe and act on His Word.  The more we present to them a God who is big enough, great enough, powerful enough, and wise enough to have the final word, the more likely they will be to make His Word the final authority in their lives.

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, actively living it out in genuine worship, prayer, fellowship, and benevolence toward others.  The result?  — They saw growth.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, . . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  (Acts 2:42-47)

We have God’s Word, which contains the Apostles’ teaching. Does the church today maintain such devotion to Truth? Or, have we replaced it with pragmatism, determined by our experiences, and based on our feelings?

Devotion to truth becomes more difficult when seen as relative for it constantly changes. Remaining steadfast in Truth, despite what is happening in society around us, isn’t always easy but it is essential to living out God’s purpose for the church and our individual lives.

What is required for such devotion to the Word?

• We need to view the Word as our primary source of truth and equipping (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We can learn from a variety of sources but when devoted to the teaching of God’s Word, we filter everything through Scripture.  God’s Word becomes our grid.
• We need to take seriously Jesus’ Great Commission that not only says to go and make disciples but also to teach “everything” He commanded (Matt. 28:19-20).  Being relevant in today’s world does not mean abandoning Truth.
• We need to do our best to deal with hindrances to a wholehearted devotion to it, in our own lives and in the lives of those to whom we minister (2 Cor. 10:5).

For Bible teachers, it might mean doing our best to minimize distractions to the teaching of God’s Word.

For church leadership, it might mean working through programming and scheduling issues to maximize the time we can devote to God’s Word.

In discipleship relationships, it might mean helping people learn to process life through God’s Word and not according to feelings or circumstances.

In counseling or mentoring situations, it might mean helping people deal with fears and anxieties that could supplant time and attention that should go to sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His Word.

What will it take for you to maintain devotion to God’s Word in your sphere of ministry?

For More About God’s Word & Help Studying It:  Bible Study Resources Page