[Session 24 covers two main topics. I have split them up to make it a little easier to follow. In the first part of the class I explain why I teach the way I do. That is what I’m sharing here today. The second part of the class is discussing baptism. Baptism comes up because Peter compares Noah and the flood with baptism. I will share that as Session 24b next time. The video at the end of this post is the entire session with both topics included.]

Why I Teach the Way I Do

Before we continue our study, I want to explain why I teach the way I do. Sometimes I look out and see expressions that seem to be asking, “Where is he going with this?” or “Why are we spending so much time on this?” I understand that. But there is a reason behind the approach.

My dad taught me years ago that the Word of God is all Scripture. We begin with that conviction. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. Jesus also said that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We often use the expression verbal inspiration. That phrase isn’t found in the Bible, but it expresses an important truth. We believe that the very words originally written by the prophets and apostles were the words the Holy Spirit intended. If inspiration were only about general ideas, then it would not matter which words the writers chose as long as the basic thought was communicated. But Scripture is inspired in its very words.

That conviction affects the way we read and teach the Bible. Since all Scripture is inspired and all Scripture is profitable, then all Scripture deserves to be taught. Obviously none of us can cover the whole Bible quickly. John MacArthur preached through the Bible verse by verse over many years. But my preference is not simply to choose a favorite devotional thought, build a lesson around it, and leave everyone feeling encouraged. Devotionals certainly have their place, but my desire is that, as much as possible, we understand what the Scriptures themselves are saying.

Take the book of Romans, for example. It is not easy reading. Yet Paul addressed it to “the saints who are at Rome.” He did not write to scholars or pastors only. He wrote to ordinary believers. The same is true of his other letters. Scripture was intended to be understood.

That is one reason I have always believed that children in Christian homes should learn to read well. Beyond all the practical reasons for literacy, God has chosen to communicate His Word to us through a written book. We do not receive ongoing voices from heaven. We receive God’s revelation through Scripture, and we should be able to read and understand it.

That also explains why I sometimes ask, “What does this verse say?” Quite often someone gives theologically correct answers, but those answers actually come from somewhere else in Scripture. I want us to focus on what this particular passage says. What do these words mean? What is the author communicating here? That is why we sometimes dig deeply into a passage.

The writer of Hebrews gives us a good example. He begins discussing Melchizedek, then pauses and tells his readers that the subject is difficult because they have become dull of hearing. By this time they should have been teachers, yet they still needed instruction themselves. Some people would stop there and move on to an easier subject. The writer of Hebrews did not. After challenging them to grow, he returned to Melchizedek and continued explaining him because understanding Melchizedek as a type of Christ and understanding his priestly ministry mattered.

That is my encouragement to all of us. Sometimes we need to dig. Some passages are difficult, but that is exactly why we should think carefully about them.

There are promises connected with meditating on God’s Word. Joshua was told that the Book of the Law should not depart from his mouth but that he should meditate on it day and night so that he would observe all that was written in it. Psalm 1 says essentially the same thing. The blessed man delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Both passages connect success—not the world’s definition of success, but God’s—with meditation on Scripture.

Deuteronomy 6 also comes to mind. Many of us are beyond the years of raising children, but the principle remains the same. We are to know God’s Word and teach it to our children. We are to talk about it throughout the day, when we rise up and when we lie down. Scripture is meant to saturate our lives.

That is the framework from which I teach.

I also recognize that people learn differently. I spent forty years teaching science and mathematics, and students have different learning styles. My teaching style may not always match yours, and that is understandable. I tend to think analytically. I like outlines and careful progression. Other teachers communicate differently, and that’s fine. Sometimes I struggle to follow their style, and perhaps they would struggle to follow mine.

During our discussion someone pointed out that comparing several good English translations can also help us understand what a passage is saying, especially for those who do not work directly with the Greek or Hebrew text. I agree with that completely. We have wonderful resources available today. We can easily compare translations, reading a familiar translation like the King James alongside something like the New American Standard or even a simpler paraphrase to help grasp the flow of thought.

Another reminder from Deuteronomy 6 is that we cannot pass God’s truth on unless we know it ourselves. As grandparents especially, we still have responsibilities. Some of us are now at the top of our family generations, with children and grandchildren beneath us. We have opportunities to help shape those who follow us.

Someone also observed that every person who comes into a Bible study arrives with different needs and experiences. The Holy Spirit often takes something different from the lesson and applies it personally. I have experienced that myself. People sometimes tell me after a message what particularly affected them, and it is not always the point that stood out most to me.

Hopefully this explanation helps you all to understand my approach to Bible teaching.