The Motivation of Our Hearts
What motivates you to teach the Bible? Sadly, if we’re honest, there are times we’ve made too much of ourselves and not enough of Christ. Other times we have taught the truth, but not in love, or we have loved our listeners but not spoken truth. Still other times we have not been as eager to proclaim the gospel as we should have been.
Making Much of Christ
One of our primary motivations for teaching the Bible should be to make much of Christ. This was the heartbeat of John the Baptist’s ministry:
He must increase, but I must decrease”.
John 3:30
Our greatest joy in teaching should come from pointing others to the voice of God in Scripture, so that they might rejoice in Him and depend upon Him. Since we won’t be able to answer all their questions and will likely disappoint them at one time or another, we want to do all we can to point them to Christ, the Son of the living God. He is always present with His people. He is always faithful to His promises. He always protects and provides. Therefore, their hope should be in Him alone.
From Good Will, Out of Love
There are all kinds of motivations we may have for teaching the Bible, like teaching for the advancement of our own name. We must humbly ask the Lord to reveal any such motives. We are not to teach “Christ from envy and rivalry” but “from goodwill…out of love” and “sincerely…in truth” (Phil. 1:17-18). The apostle Paul was committed to “fruitful labor” for the sake of others’ “progress and joy in the faith” so that they would “glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:22, 25-26).
We are also to teach “in humility” while counting others more significant than ourselves and looking “to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). We are not to grasp for a name for ourselves, but highly exalt “the name that is above every name” (v. 9), the name of Jesus. We should desire every listener to “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (v. 11).
Eager to Teach the Gospel
Those who are called and equipped to teach the Bible should be motivated by an eagerness to teach the gospel (Rom. 1:15-17). Teaching about Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming is of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). A woman may think of all kinds of reasons why she shouldn’t teach, like she’s not expressive enough or she’s too nervous in front of a crowd, but to focus on these matters ignores the content we’re called to teach. We’re called to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. If our motivation is to look good in front of others, entertain them, or persuade them toward a different political, economic, or social stance, we will focus on all the wrong things. But if our aim is to please the One who has called us and gifted us, then we will teach the gospel of God.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
What motivates you to teach the Bible? As you examine your heart, are there any competing motivations you need to uproot, such as an ambitious drive for power, position, popularity, or prestige? Does envy or jealousy drive you? Are you interested in boosting your reputation? Do you seek the approval of others? Is there a desire to have more followers? None of these motivations lead anywhere good. Instead, we are to empty ourselves, so that “the cross of Christ [won’t] be emptied of its power” (1 Cor. 1:17).
PRAYER
Father, help me to have pure motives as I teach the Bible to others. Help me to make much of Christ, to teach in love and truth, and to eagerly proclaim the gospel. 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.
