Using Biblical Writers and Teachers as Examples in Teaching
Biblical writers and teachers are frequently presented as examples for believers, both positively and negatively, across various aspects of Christian life and doctrine. The ultimate example is Jesus Christ himself, whose life and actions serve as a pattern for believers [1, 4].
Christ's example is cited for numerous virtues and practices:
- Missionary Zeal Christ's active ministry, as seen in Acts 10:38, provides a model for all Christians, including women and children, to engage in missionary efforts [1].
- Intercessory Prayer Jesus demonstrated intercessory prayer for his disciples and others (Luke 22:32, 23:34; John 17:9-24), which serves as an example for believers to pray for kings, authorities, ministers, the Church, and all people [2].
- Early Rising Christ's practice of rising early (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) is presented as an example for devotion, executing God's commands, and discharging daily duties [3].
- Sincerity Jesus's life exemplified sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), which should characterize believers' love for God and one another, their service, faith, and overall conduct [5].
- Meekness Christ's meekness (Psalm 45:4; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Peter 2:21-23) is a fruit of the Spirit that saints are encouraged to seek, put on, and exhibit in their conduct [6].
Beyond Christ, other biblical figures and groups are presented as examples. Pastors are called to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) [4]. This includes being worthy teachers whose lives are shaped by the Gospel [9]. The Jews are presented as a warning example in Hebrews 4:11, while the prophets serve as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [4].
The concept of teaching itself is deeply embedded in biblical thought. God is exalted as the ultimate teacher (Job 36:22) [8]. The method of question and answer was customary in rabbinical teaching, as seen in Jesus's interaction with teachers in the temple (Luke 2:46) [10]. However, the New Testament also warns against those who, despite having many instructors, still need to be retaught basic principles (Hebrews 5:12) [7]. Paul contrasts himself as a spiritual father with numerous "instructors" or "schoolmasters" in Christ, highlighting the difference between those who merely teach and those who genuinely nurture believers [11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- 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”
- 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!”
- Job “Job 36:22 (BSB) — Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 4:12: 4:12 Be an example: Only those whose lives are shaped by the Good News are worthy teachers of it (cp. 2 Tim 3:10-11; Titus 2:7; Heb 13:7). The false teachers were not.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 2:46: hearing . . . asking--The method of question and answer was the customary form of rabbinical teaching; teacher and learner becoming by turns questioner and answerer, as may be seen from their extant works. This would give full scope for all that "astonished them in His understanding and answers." Not that He assumed the office of teaching--"His hour" for that "was not yet come," and His equipment for that was not complete; for He had yet to "increase in wisdom" as well as "stature" (Luk 2:52). In fact, the beauty of Christ's example lies very much in His”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:15: For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ,.... Or "schoolmasters"; by whom he means the false teachers, whom, for argument sake, he admits to be instructors in Christ, or ministers of his, as in Co2 11:23 and who were many, and of whose number the Corinthians boasted; though they were not so numerous as here supposed; for the expression is hyperbolical: perhaps some reference may be had to the multitude of schoolmasters, tutors, and governors, and who also were called "fathers", which those that were Jews of this church at Corinth had before they be”