Teaching

The apostles' teaching formed the basis of the instruction given to the first Christians. Parts of the NT draw a distinction between preaching and teaching, seeing the former as a means of converting individuals, and the latter as a means of instructing them after conversion.

The importance of teaching

Ecclesiastes 12:11–12 “goads” prod the sluggish to action, while “embedded nails” furnish a kind of mental anchorage. “Shepherd” is almost certainly a reference to God himself. See also Proverbs 1:8–9, Proverbs 3:1–2, Proverbs 4:1–4, Proverbs 6:20–23; Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 14:6; 2 Timothy 4:2–3

The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.

Teaching given by parents

Proverbs 22:6 See also Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Deuteronomy 11:18–19; Ephesians 6:1–4

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The apostles' teaching

Acts 2:42; Titus 1:9 See also Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 6:17, Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Timothy 1:10–11, 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13–14, 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 2:1

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

The gift of teaching in the church

Romans 12:7 See also 1 Timothy 4:13–14

if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

Ways of teaching believers

Through example

1 Thessalonians 1:5–6 See also 1 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:3–7

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction — just as you know we lived among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

Through dialogue with the teacher

Acts 20:7, Acts 19:8–9

Through explanation of ceremonies

Exodus 12:26–27, Exodus 13:14–16

Through proverbs

Proverbs 1:1–6, Proverbs 1:20–28

Through the law

Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Deuteronomy 11:18–19, Deuteronomy 27:1–26; Psalm 78:5–8

Through mutual edification

Colossians 3:16 See also Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 5:12

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Through the instruction of different groups within the church

Ephesians 5:22–6:9; Colossians 3:18–4:1; Titus 2:1–10; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7, 1 Peter 5:1–5

The distinction between teaching and preaching

Acts 15:35 See also Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 11:1; Luke 20:1; Acts 4:2, Acts 5:42, Acts 28:31

But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

Examples of major themes taught in the NT church

Righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ

Romans 3:21–22 See also Galatians 2:20–21

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,

Freedom in Christ from the demands of the law

Galatians 5:1–3

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

The humility of Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:5–8 See also Hebrews 13:12–13

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.

The supremacy of Jesus Christ

Colossians 1:18

And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

The superiority of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 3:3 Hebrews also shows Jesus Christ to be superior to the angels, the high priest and the sacrifices.

For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

Godly behaviour

Ephesians 4:22–24 See also Romans 12:1–2; 1 Timothy 6:1–2

to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.