Seeking Guidance from Qualified Teachers and Scripture

Seeking guidance from qualified teachers and Scripture is a vital aspect of Christian discipleship. The Psalmist expresses a deep desire to be taught by God, acknowledging that divine instruction is essential for understanding and applying God's statutes ^[5]. This sentiment is echoed in Psalms 32:8, where God promises to "instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go" ^[3].

The importance of seeking guidance from qualified teachers is also emphasized in the New Testament. The author of Hebrews chides his readers for needing to be taught the basic principles of God's word again, implying that they should be further along in their understanding ^[1]. The apostle Paul instructs Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, emphasizing the significance of Scripture in teaching and guiding the community of faith ^[9].

The Bible also warns against false teachers and the importance of discerning true instruction. John Gill notes that one should "cease, my son, to hear the instruction" of false teachers, highlighting the need to be cautious of misleading doctrine ^[10]. In contrast, the Scriptures are presented as a reliable source of guidance, being "given by inspiration of God" and able to make one "wise unto salvation" ^{[4, 6]}.

The pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a recurring theme in Proverbs, with the wise person seeking guidance from qualified teachers and Scripture. John Gill comments that one should "hear counsel, and receive instruction" from Wisdom, namely Christ, and from the Scriptures ^[6]. This emphasis on seeking guidance from both human teachers and divine Scripture underscores the importance of a balanced approach to Christian discipleship.

The early Christian community recognized the significance of Scripture in their gatherings, reading from the Old Testament and, as they became available, the New Testament writings ^[9]. This practice underscores the value placed on Scripture as a source of guidance and instruction.

In the Christian tradition, the pursuit of understanding and applying God's word is seen as a lifelong endeavor. Matthew Henry notes that David "desired to know more" about God's judgments, illustrating the importance of ongoing learning and growth in the faith ^[7]. As the Psalmist puts it, "I will praise the Lord, who hath given me counsell" ^[2].

The interplay between divine instruction and human teaching is evident throughout Scripture. While God is the ultimate source of wisdom, human teachers play a crucial role in guiding believers in their understanding of God's word. As Tyndale House notes, Timothy's Jewish grandmother and mother provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures, laying the foundation for his later understanding of Christ ^[8].

Guidance in Christian Discipleship

The biblical emphasis on seeking guidance from qualified teachers and Scripture remains a cornerstone of Christian discipleship. By engaging with Scripture and seeking instruction from qualified teachers, believers can deepen their understanding of God's word and cultivate a life of wisdom and faithfulness.

Sources

Hebrews “Hebrews 5:12 (BSB) — Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!”
Psalms “Psalms 16:7 (Geneva1599) — I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes.”
Psalms “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you. -- Psalms 32:8”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:33: Here, I. David prays earnestly that God himself would be his teacher; he had prophets, and wise men, and priests, about him, and was himself well instructed in the law of God, yet he begs to be taught of God, as knowing that none teaches like him, Job 36:22. Observe here, 1. What he desires to be taught, not the notions or language of God's statutes, but the way of them - "the way of applying them to myself and governing myself by them; teach me the way of my duty which thy statutes prescribe, and in every doubtful case let me know what thou wouldst have me to d”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:7: Here is, I. David's endeavour to perfect himself in his religion, and to make himself (as we say) master of his business. He hopes to learn God's righteous judgments. He knew much, but he was still pressing forward and desired to know more, as knowing this, that he had not yet attained; but as far as perfection is attainable in this life he reached towards it, and would not take up short of it. As long as we live we must be scholars in Christ's school, and sit at his feet; but we should aim to be head-scholars, and to get into the highest form. God's judgments ar”
2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:27: Cease, my son, to hear the instruction,.... The counsel of bad men, or the doctrine of false teachers. The words are spoken either by Solomon to his son; or by Wisdom, that is, Christ, to everyone of his children, to beware of false prophets, and take heed what they hear; see Mat 7:15; such as the doctrines of the church of Rome; concerning the Scriptures, forbidding the people to read them; setting unwritten traditions upon a level with them, and making the pope an infallible interpreter of them; concerning merit, works of supererogation, indulgences, pardons, pen”

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