Teach Plainly
I received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Georgia. The time I spent on campus interacting with other students, faculty, and staff revealed that many people aspire to be wise, powerful, and honorable in the world’s eyes, especially when it comes to writing and rhetoric. In contrast, my seminary classes in expository teaching and biblical communication for women taught me to exalt Christ’s wisdom, power, and honor. Both academic institutions taught me the importance of communicating well, but the motivation and aim were completely different.
When we think about teaching the Bible, we need to understand that how we communicate the word of God matters. Our words should never add to or subtract from the gospel of God. Eloquent wisdom may be esteemed by the world, but the humble word of the cross is to be honored among Christians.
Words Matter
Whenever we are given the opportunity to teach the Bible we must remember that we have one primary word to communicate—“the word of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18). This is nothing less than the gospel—“that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4) and that He appeared to many (vv. 5-8) before ascending into heaven (Acts 1:9). We may be tempted to speak “with words of eloquent wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:17) in order to look good before our listeners, but to use words to promote our own reputation or glory is to rob God of His. There might be times when we think that we’re not good at speaking in front of others, we don’t look good enough, we’re not educated enough, or our listeners won’t think we’re entertaining enough. When this occurs, we must remember that none of these things are qualifications for us to teach the gospel. As Bible teachers, we are to highlight God’s power, wisdom, and strength, not our own.
To adorn the gospel is not to proclaim the good news “with lofty speech or wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1), but to speak in humility and “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4). Our goal is not to have another’s faith rest in worldly wisdom, but “in the power of God” (v. 5). We are to plainly proclaim the life, death, resurrection and ascension of our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Also, don’t be afraid to teach in weakness. It is through our weakness that God magnifies His strength. Consider Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” God uses our weaknesses to keep us humble at times we may otherwise have been proud. When we are weak, we can more readily testify to the sufficiency of God’s grace and the perfection of His power (see 2 Cor. 12:9).
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
When we think about the importance of teaching plainly so that the gospel won’t be emptied of its power, it’s important to evaluate our teaching. Would others say that we aspire to be wise, powerful, and honorable in the world’s eyes, especially when it comes to writing and rhetoric? Or would they say that we, in writing or teaching, or in both, exalt Christ’s wisdom, power, and honor? To be sure, it’s important that we communicate well, but our motivation and aim should always be to exalt Christ.
PRAYER
Father, I want to exalt Christ’s wisdom, power, and honor when I teach the Bible. Please help me to teach plainly so that the gospel won’t be emptied of its power. 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.
