Steering a Preacher Back to Biblical Teaching Methods
Biblical teaching methods emphasize a progression from foundational truths to deeper understanding, coupled with a humble and diligent approach from the teacher. The author of Hebrews admonishes believers who, despite having had sufficient time to mature, still require instruction in the "basic principles of God’s word," needing "milk, not solid food" [1]. This suggests an expectation for spiritual growth beyond elementary teachings [10].
The call to "press on to maturity" in Hebrews 6:1 indicates that believers should not perpetually remain at the stage of foundational doctrines such as repentance from dead works and faith toward God [2, 11]. These are essential starting points, but the goal is to move beyond them to a more profound grasp of Christ and Christian living [10]. John Gill notes that while these "principles of the doctrine of Christ" are not to be forgotten or despised, believers should not remain solely focused on them [11].
Ministers, in particular, are called to adhere closely to the word of God in their teaching [6]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that the content of preaching should be "not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties of the gospel," focusing on avoiding sin and living "soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" [6]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:3, warns against those who teach "other doctrine" and do not devote themselves to "the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness" [3]. This highlights the importance of doctrinal fidelity and practical application in teaching.
Beyond content, the manner of teaching is also crucial. Christ himself exemplified meekness, and this quality is presented as a fruit of the Spirit that saints should cultivate [4]. Ministers are specifically instructed to "follow after" meekness and to "instruct opposers with" it [4]. This suggests that even when correcting or challenging, the teacher's demeanor should be characterized by humility and gentleness.
Effective teaching also involves adapting methods to reach diverse audiences. Jesus, for instance, varied his teaching locations, sometimes in the synagogue and other times by the sea, to ensure that both the "nice and more genteel sort of people" and "the poor, the mob" could hear his message [7]. This flexibility in approach aims to "reach and work upon" all who might listen [7].
Furthermore, a minister's role is likened to that of Christ feeding the multitudes, requiring careful preparation and delivery [9]. Adam Clarke outlines several aspects of this: exhorting people to listen with reverence, personally engaging with the "bread of life" for strength, seeking divine blessing, and "rightly divid[ing] the word of truth" to provide suitable portions for different capacities and states [9]. This implies a thoughtful and discerning approach to sermon preparation and delivery, ensuring that the message is both accurate and accessible to the congregation.
The desire to spread religious doctrines and enlighten others is also a significant aspect of biblical teaching [5]. John Calvin notes that an "ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion" should motivate teachers, and those with greater eminence in their calling should labor more diligently to enlighten others [5]. This underscores a proactive and zealous commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering spiritual growth within the community. However, this zeal should be tempered with humility, as John Gill cautions against an "affectation among the Jews... of being called 'Rabbi, Rabbi,' or 'Mori, Mori,' master, master" [8]. The focus should be on the message and the spiritual welfare of the hearers, not on the teacher's status.
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!”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (NASB) — Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (LEB) — If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 8.8: an ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion, that every one not satisfied with his own calling and his personal knowledge will desire to draw others along with him. And indeed nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than that deadness which would lead a man to disregard his brethren, and to keep the light of knowledge choked up within his own breast. The greater the eminence above others which any man has received from his calling so much the more diligently ought he to labor to enlighten others. This points out to”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 2:15: The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself. I. The matter of ministers' teaching: These thing, namely, those before mentioned: not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties of the gospel, of avoiding sin, and living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Observe, Ministers in their preaching must keep close to the word of God. If any man speak, let him speak as”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 4:1: The foregoing chapter began with Christ's entering into the synagogue (Mar 4:1); this chapter begins with Christ's teaching again by the sea side. Thus he changed his method, that if possible all might be reached and wrought upon. To gratify the nice and more genteel sort of people that had seats, chief seats, in the synagogue, and did not care for hearing a sermon any where else, he did not preach always by the sea side, but, having liberty, went often into the synagogue, and taught there; yet, to gratify the poor, the mob, that could not get room in the synagogue, ”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 3:1: My brethren, be not many masters,.... The apostle having dispatched the subject of faith and good works, which constitute the pure and undefiled religion mentioned in Jam 1:27 which gave rise to this discourse, he proceeds to consider the evidence of a religious man, suggested in Jam 1:26 who is one that bridles the tongue; and enters into an account of the use and abuse of the tongue: and which is introduced by this exhortation; and which seems to be opposed to an affectation among the Jews, to whom James writes, of being called "Rabbi, Rabbi", or "Mori, Mori", master,”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”