In this series so far, we have examined the importance of Bible Study and the reason why it is essential to us as believers. Today, we will be examining the role of a good Bible teacher in helping a believer go deeper in the Word.

In every area of life, to become proficient at something, one requires a teacher. Someone with a better understanding of a subject matter who can provide guidance, teach and instruct you.

Think about learning to play an instrument, like the piano. A beginner might be able to play a few simple notes on their own, but to truly master the instrument and possibly play a Mozart or Handel piece with precision, they need a teacher, someone who understands the mechanics of music, the intricacies of technique, and the deeper nuances of performance who can effectively communicate their knowledge in a way that ensures growth.

Similarly, to grow in the knowledge of God, a believer must be accurately taught. At the core of every effective Bible study life is the indispensable role of a good Bible teacher.

Ephesians 4:11-14
New King James Version
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting

God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as gifts to the church to address what is lacking in our faith. Their responsibility is to ensure that believers are thoroughly equipped.

One way they accomplish this is by teaching believers everything pertaining to their faith. Christianity is a taught faith; we learn precept upon precept and line upon line.

Therefore, to grow deeper in the Word, it is essential that we receive proper teaching from these sent men.

Ephesians 1:15- 18
New King James Version
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what the hope of His calling, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

In this text Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus that they would grow in revelation knowledge, and this just goes to show the importance of growth in the life of a believer.

After salvation, the next most important thing is growth in revelation knowledge, and this is growth in the knowledge of who you are in Christ and what Christ has afforded you in salvation.

After the believer gets saved, it is essential that he is taught about the faith to ensure he effectively grows in God. This is the aim of every good teacher, to teach students about the word and how to grow in God.

Paul didn’t just want the Ephesian church to feel close to God, he wanted them to truly know Him, to have their eyes opened to who they are in Christ and what His death afforded them.

This is the job of a good teacher, a good teacher helps believers grow in the knowledge of God, shedding light on the Scriptures and guiding us deeper into the study of the Word.

Philippians 1:23-25
New King James Version
23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

24 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.

Apostle Paul talks about a concept he calls progress and joy in the faith which he says the church would experience as a result of him continuing and remaining with them.

The Greek word for progress there is prokopē, and it means a furtherance or advancement. This is what Paul meant, that the church will experience growth on account of his remaining and continuing with them and experience progress in their faith as a result of his teachings.

This is the mindset of every good teacher that through teaching, you may experience depth in the study of the Word. It is important for you to understand that, spiritual growth ought to be discernible.

It ought to show in the way you speak and explain scripture. It must be evident that you have spent adequate time studying and growing in the word.

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of good teaching. Throughout his letters, he didn’t just pray for believers to grow in their faith; he also taught and helped them gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

While it is important to have personal times of devotion and study, it is equally important to be taught the Word of God in order to attain more depth in God. A good teacher of the Word helps believers gain such understanding of the things of God that they are inspired to go even deeper.

When it comes to Bible study, there is a proper approach. It cannot be done carelessly. Effective teaching is essential in helping the believer understand.

Acts 8:30–31
New King James Version
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

In this passage, the Ethiopian eunuch was struggling to understand the book of Isaiah. God sent Philip to explain the scripture to him, and as a result, the eunuch was saved and gained a better understanding of the Word.

If Philip had not been there to guide him, he might have remained confused. This shows the importance of having a teacher of the Word who can effectively explain Scriptures in a way that strengthens your convictions and causes you to go deeper in the study of the Word.

2 Timothy 2:15–16
New King James Version
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

There is a standard of approval in God for believers to attain, and to be able to rightly divide the Word of truth. We must commit ourselves to studying it effectively.

In Bible study, the goal is not just to know more, but to grow deeper in our understanding, deeper in our relationship with God, and deeper in our ability to live out His Word.

A good Bible teacher plays a key role in this process by providing the tools necessary to study and apply the Scriptures.

This year, make it your purpose to embrace sound teaching that will help you grow deeper in your Bible study and relationship with God.

Inaccurate teachings, much like bad habits learned without correction, can lead to confusion and even the spread of false doctrines.

A good Bible teacher helps safeguard against this by carefully teaching sound doctrine and guiding disciples toward a deeper, more mature understanding of God’s Word.

Prayer Point:
Father, I thank You for Your Word and for the gift of teachers who explain it with clarity and precision. I commit myself to learning and studying the Word diligently. I choose to go deeper in my understanding and application of Your truth.