The Bible is useful for teaching.

TEACHING

Monday, February 20, 2017

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

You’ll recall that the memory verse for this week is just verse 16 above. My plan for the week is to look individually at teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training so that we can better understand the verse and can perhaps memorize it more easily.

I also want to take the time to look at the reasoning behind the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.

Hopefully something will stick out for you each day that will help you remember the verse.

(And don’t forget to memorize where it lives in the Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16.)

So,,,

What is teaching?

Giving information about or instruction in a subject or skill.

Who is the teacher?

God is. Specifically the Holy Spirit gives us the understanding we need.

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1 NIV God the Father)

They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. Luke 4:32 NIV (Jesus)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (The Holy Spirit)

What is being taught?

Life principles. Morals. Attitudes. History. Characteristics of God. And more.

Who is the pupil?

We are – those of us who believe in Him.

           

When was the last time you were an actual student or pupil in a class? Some of you are in coursework now. Others haven’t been in a high school or college classroom for decades. What is the difference between being a student back then and now? Somehow as a high school or college student, there was some incentive for learning and getting a passing grade. As an adult reading a text of Scripture, though, we sometimes aren’t too interested in learning anything from it. We tend to pick and chose what we will put into practice and what we will overlook as not applying to us. I don’t think that’s how it is supposed to work. I think we need to be open to hearing what the Lord wants to teach us and we need to put his teaching into practice regardless of how easy or convenient it is (or isn't).

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching – if the pupil is open and willing to learn.

Lord, show us where we have resistance to learning. Help us remove any pride or anything else in the way. Help us to truly learn from you.