Tips for Bible Teaching

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19

Jesus ordered us to teach the gospel to the nations. Everyone may not be called to be a regular teacher, but we all may have opportunities from time to time. What does it take to be a good teacher of the Bible? Let me suggest six things.

1. Be a lifetime student of the Bible. You cannot learn the Bible in an afternoon; it takes many years. But the years are going to pass, one way or the other. If you make a regular commitment to read and study the Bible, you will eventually come to know it well. Give time to the Bible, and it will give you abundant riches in return.

2. Make the lesson interesting. Jesus was an expert at using illustrations. We may think that the meaning of a certain Bible passage is obvious, but it always helps to point out the obvious. The Bible has a multitude of applications. Good Bible teachers look for ways to make the Bible come alive.

3. Don’t make the lesson about you. The point is not just to share everything you know, but let the Bible speak. Studies show that people are listening best when they are speaking. A good Bible teacher gets the group involved and listens when people share. They try to help the students find themselves somewhere in the passage of scripture.

4. Make the lesson practical. Give people something to help them at school, work, and home. Give them something to carry them through the week ahead. Everyone needs encouragement, and the Bible is filled with it.

5. Know when to stop. Sometimes it is easy to “over-say.” Knowing when to stop is a skill that teachers do well to learn. As someone put it, “Stop talking while they are still listening.” Keep to the commitment of the allotted class time, even if discussion seems to be “going great.” Know when to stop, and let anyone who wishes stay around for further discussion.

6. Be in constant communication with the Master Teacher. Jesus was often called “Rabbi” because he was known for his teaching. All good teachers have learned from someone else. The best one to learn from is Christ himself. When we bathe our teaching in prayer, God often gives us wisdom and insights to use in our lessons.

Good Bible teachers come in many forms. It isn’t just a skill that comes naturally but one that can be developed. There is no greater joy than passing along biblical lessons to others. Perhaps you have talents for teaching that are just waiting to be developed.