Teach Faithfully
As we read through Scripture, we should be greatly encouraged. There are several times where God specifically records the godly attitude and actions of women. When we think about teaching faithfully, perhaps the woman that first comes to mind is the one written about in the acrostic poem at the end of the book of Proverbs. It’s a fitting and encouraging conclusion to the entire book, as the “excellent wife” and “woman who fears the LORD” embody the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that the book of Proverbs teaches is necessary to live a God-fearing life. Not only is she an excellent wife and mother, but she’s also an excellent teacher. “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (Prov. 31:26). No doubt this woman was what we today call a Titus 2 woman. It’s important to see the connection between her character, her conduct, and her coaching. Because she is trustworthy and good (v. 11-12), and clothed with “strength and dignity” (v. 25), she conducts herself in a way that provides for her family and her neighbors, and teaches others “with wisdom” and “kindness” (v. 26). Likewise, there is a connection between our character, conduct, and coaching. By God’s grace we should be growing in Christlike character, engaging in Christlike conduct, and opening our mouths with Christlike kindness. In other words, we are to teach faithfully.
The Whole Counsel of God
Though it may be tempting to pick and choose which parts of the Bible will most appeal to our listeners while leaving other parts out that we may think will offend, faithful Bible teachers will not do this. It is important that we can say with Paul:
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God”.
Acts 20:27
It is the word of God that “is able to build…up and to give…the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (v. 32). This is the benefit of teaching in an expository manner—verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book. Many of your pastors are likely expository preachers. As women teaching women, youth, or children in the church, our expository teaching is to complement their expository preaching. That doesn’t mean we have to teach the same book of the Bible at the same time. What it means is that we are committed to complementing the sound doctrine being preached by our pastors, including teaching the whole counsel of God. If we can tie in what we’re learning in women’s, youth, or children’s ministry with the sermon, even if it’s just recalling one of the points the pastor made, it’s good to do so. It’s another way for us to validate that we’re not lone rangers in ministry, but are eager to support and learn from the preaching ministry of our church.
As we teach from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, our goal should be to help our listeners understand “the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God)” (WCF 1.5).
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
As we read and study Scripture in preparation for teaching the Bible, we should be greatly encouraged. Like the “excellent wife” of Proverbs 31, who embodies the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that the book teaches is necessary to live a God-fearing life, we should be known as an excellent teacher who, “opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (Prov. 31:26). Our character, our conduct, and our coaching should align. By God’s grace, we should be trustworthy and good (v. 11-12), and clothed with “strength and dignity” (v. 25). We should conduct ourselves in a way that provides for our family and neighbors. And we should teach others “with wisdom” and “kindness” (v. 26). In other words, we should be growing in Christlike character, engaging in Christlike conduct, and opening our mouth with Christlike kindness, so that we teach faithfully.
PRAYER
Father, I want to teach faithfully. Please grow me in Christlikeness, so that faithful instruction is on my tongue. Amen.
Heart Matters: Teaching the Bible with Purity and Purpose by Sarah Ivill – PCA
Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) has been leading, teaching or writing women’s Bible studies since she was eighteen. She has served at the Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership, in Bible Study Fellowship, and as Director of Women’s Ministry in the local church, among other leadership positions. She is also a contributing blogger for enCourage (a blog of the PCA Women's Ministries), and has a regular blog, The Haven, with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, and recently published Heart Matters: Teaching the Bible with Purity and Purpose. Sarah continues writing and teaching Reformed Bible studies for women, and speaking at women's retreats and conferences. A member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA), Sarah lives with her husband and four children in Matthews, North Carolina.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
