Bible Training Center
Section 2.0 – Teaching & Learning
introduction & articles
introduction
going beyond knowledge
Learning is much more than building a mental library of facts. Likewise, teaching is not merely the practice of transferring information. This is especially true for teaching and learning the Bible.
If your goal is to become a walking encyclopedia of the Bible, you will spend a lifetime acquiring knowledge. However, there is a strong likelihood that you will have little more Biblical understanding than when you began. And if you are a teacher who imparts a lot of really interesting information about events, times and places found in the Bible, but stop short of showing your students how to attain understanding, you have done a grave disservice to your students and yourself.
The goal of Bible teaching and learning must be to acquire understanding. While gaining knowledge of the Bible is necessary, it must be recognized, however, that knowledge does not automatically lead to understanding.That means that there is no magic formula that says a certain amount of knowledge will produce a predetermined level of understanding.
We often believe that knowledge leads to understanding because our experience seems to indicate as much. For example, you study and study plane geometry and then one day the light comes on and you understand how to construct those dreaded proofs. It may be that knowledge produces understanding when it comes to mathematics or other disciplines, but I don’t think so. And I am certain it does not work that way when it comes to acquiring Bible understanding. Many people have vast Bible knowledge and little understanding.
How then is Bible understanding obtained?
There is only one way, and that is by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can show you the meaning behind the words and events in the Bible.
The apostle Paul taught that the Scriptures contains wisdom that is hidden from plain view, i.e., a mystery. He also claims that he teaches about that mystery. However, he did not come to see it through his own logic, but rather by way of revelations from the Holy Spirit.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood [they did not understand because they did not have the Holy Spirit]; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
9 but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
[The mystery of the Scriptures is not seen or heard with our physical eyes and ears, but rather with the spiritual eyes and ears of our heart. And God intended for His people to see and hear them. This is understanding.]
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)
Understanding is therefore the ultimate goal of Bible teaching and learning.
Section 2.0 - Articles
The Bible is the Word of God. In its pages God reveals Himself to mankind. The apostle Paul wrote on two different occasions, that the things that are in the Scriptures are there for our instruction. (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11) Biblical instruction is gained through two pathways.
While many know what’s in the Bible, few understand it. At the same time, there are many who believe they understand the Bible, but their understanding is little more than a collection of theologies and doctrines passed on to them by the leaders of the church system they have joined themselves to. While the situation is a sad one, there is one thing that to me is the most sad of all. That is: It doesn’t have to be that way.
People are, for the most part, forgiving. We are willing to at least listen to someone else’s point of view. Many people will bend over backward to understand the other person’s position. That everyone has a right to their own opinion is a belief practiced by many in the United States. Two groups may disagree vigorously, but will defend the other’s right to their opinion with equal vitality.
The title of this article isn’t as strange as it sounds. It says we’re going to try to gain some understanding on the subject of understanding. Another way to say the same thing is that it’s important to understand understanding.