When one thinks of teaching, a plethora of terms come into play that help mold the final definition.  Back-to-school, desks, chairs, books, chalkboard, Powerpoint slides, passing notes, and even the dreaded words “due by the end of the week” are the typical student perspectives when teaching is mentioned.  What about the other side of the fence?  It has been said that, “those that cannot do, teach.”  A deeper investigation into discovering the steadfast definition of teaching itself only forces our minds to come to the realization that teachers were at one time in their lives, students.  We too often forget that! Therefore, defining how good study of a particular Bible passage is connected to good teaching on that Bible passage begins with being a good student.  Simply stated, it starts with proper study habits both spiritually and physically.  “Bible study that is done well is the foundation for teaching and preaching done well”(Cartwright and Hulshof 174).  

     To open, the very roots of good study begin with inquiries.  Inquiries are one challenging their perspective lens of understanding through questions.  The answers to these questions often lead to a documented series of notes which can be compiled into a learning outline or a research outline.  “The first step to developing sound expositional outlines is the science of observing what is going on in the passage. As students of God’s Word, we are first and foremost aiming to correctly describe the Bible”(Cartwright and Hulshof 179).  To clarify, it would be difficult for any teacher to instruct or translate the Bible to others without full immersion into the Holy Word, and totally understanding context of each passage.  John 15:5 (the King James Version) states, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (Holy Bible ).  A strong contention can be made here that in order for spiritual fruit to be manifested through teaching the art of listening and researching our identities with Christ comes first.  We are His children, and we need to inquire to learn about Him.  Think about how the wonderful God created us.  Generally speaking, we are all born with two ears and one mouth.  I submit God wants us to listen first before we talk.  To enumerate, God has given us the ingredients in His creation to be teachers if we listen to Him first because He created us as students.  As we grow in Him we become teachers of His Holy Word.  “Once you have developed your initial outline, you now have the skeletal framework on which everything else can be built”(Cartwright and Hulshof 181).  Isn’t it amazing how the Lord created us with the skeletal framework to build into Him?  

     Ultimately, as we build into the Lord our outlines grow, and become more formalized to which we are able to grasp concepts from Bible passages.  We can then share with others insights from which God has provided us through the Holy Spirit.  It is worth noting here that everything has come full circle.  When we are teaching to others, the “others” are now students listening with their ears and watching with their eyes.  Upon reflection, it should be the goal of any student to engage Bible study with the intent of learning and applying because the opportunity to teach can come at any moment.  Furthermore, a good study of a particular Bible passage connected to good teaching on that Bible passage is connected to God because everything comes through Him.  Proverbs 3:4-6 (the King James Version) states, “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”(Holy Bible ) .   

Works Cited

Cartwright, John and Chris Hulshof. Everyday Bible Study Growing in the Christian Fatih. Nashville , 2016. E-Book.

Holy Bible . Thomas Nelson Publishers , 1997.