Teaching Others to Evaluate Experiences Through Scripture

The biblical basis for teaching others to evaluate experiences through Scripture is rooted in the understanding that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, providing guidance for all aspects of life ^[1]. The Psalmist prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12) ^[3]. This wisdom is derived from Scripture, which is described as the "Word of God" and "the revelation itself in a written form" ^[2].

The practice of teaching others to evaluate experiences through Scripture involves reading and interpreting the Bible. In the early Christian church, the practice of reading Scripture was adopted from the Jewish synagogue ^[6]. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture" (1 Timothy 4:13) ^[6]. This public reading was accompanied by teaching and interpretation, as seen in the ministry of Jesus, who taught his disciples to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:27) ^[1].

The biblical text itself encourages believers to evaluate their experiences in light of Scripture. The writer of Proverbs notes, "Then I looked at it, and considered it; I received instruction" (Proverbs 24:32) ^[5]. This process of reflection and instruction is essential for spiritual growth. The author of Hebrews critiques his readers for not being mature enough to be teachers, stating that they "have come to need milk, and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12) ^[4]. This highlights the importance of progressing from basic teachings to a deeper understanding of Scripture.

The apostle Paul's writings provide further insight into evaluating experiences through Scripture. In 2 Corinthians 9:13, the generosity of the Gentile churches is seen as a demonstration of their "subjection to the gospel of Christ" ^[7]. This subjection involves evaluating one's actions and experiences in light of the teachings of Scripture. The New Testament also emphasizes the role of the community in teaching and guiding one another. Jesus sent his disciples out "two by two" to preach and heal, providing them with authority and instruction (Mark 6:7) ^[9].

The process of teaching others to evaluate experiences through Scripture involves moving beyond basic teachings to a deeper understanding of God's Word. The author of Hebrews encourages his readers to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity" (Hebrews 6:1) ^[10]. This maturity is characterized by a deeper understanding of Scripture and its application to life.

In the view of Protestant academics, the inspiration of Scripture by God does not negate the active involvement of human authors ^[8]. Rather, it affirms that God is fully responsible for the content of Scripture. This understanding underlies the practice of teaching others to evaluate their experiences through Scripture, as it is seen as a means of applying God's wisdom to life.

The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of commending and acknowledging the worth of others, as seen in Paul's commendation of the Roman Christians (Romans 15:14) ^[11]. This acknowledgment is not mere flattery but a recognition of the grace of God at work in their lives.

The biblical mandate to teach others to evaluate experiences through Scripture is clear. It involves reading, interpreting, and applying Scripture to life, with the goal of spiritual maturity. As the Psalmist prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12) ^[3]. This wisdom is derived from Scripture, and its application is essential for a life of faith.

Sources

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”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
Psalms “Psalms 90:12 (Geneva1599) — Teach vs so to nomber our dayes, that we may apply our heartes vnto wisdome.”
Hebrews “For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. -- Hebrews 5:12”
Proverbs “Proverbs 24:32 (BBE) — Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it.”
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”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:7: 6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out ”
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”
Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:14: Here, I. He commends these Christians with the highest characters that could be. He began his epistle with their praises (Rom 1:8), Your faith is spoken of throughout the world, thereby to make way for his discourse: and, because sometimes he had reproved them sharply, he now concludes with the like commendation, to qualify them, and to part friends. This he does like an orator. It was not a piece of idle flattery and compliment, but a due acknowledgment of their worth, and of the grace of God in them. We must be forward to observe and commend in others that whic”

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