Reasons to Teach Biblical Doctrine

(This is an excerpt from Brannon Howse’s new book: Building A Biblical Worldview Verse by Verse. Click on the title link above to find out additional information.)

Besides the all-important reason of keeping people from having to hear Jesus say “depart from me,” there are 11 benefits here and now of teaching Biblical doctrine.

1. Biblical doctrine builds discernment and reveals the will of God for our lives. a)Discernment and sound judgment are a by-products of teaching Biblical doctrine. 1 Thes. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. b) Revealing the will of God for our lives - John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
2. Biblical doctrine prepares us for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. There has been a vast falling away from Biblical truth. 2 Tim. 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
4. False teaching is destroying lives. Enemies of the truth know exactly how to encourage false teaching: “Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism. What can the theistic Sunday schools, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching?” (1933, Charles Francis Potter, Humanism: A New Religion) - Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
5. Biblical doctrine is not boring but a strong mooring. As I said earlier, most self-professing Christians cannot articulate, much less defend, the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, but why is it that we spend so much time on things that will not last and that do not matter? Adults as well as teens can tell you all about pop culture, about sports teams and superstars but can these same teens and adults tell you how we know Jesus is God, how we know the Bible is true, or how we know Jesus rose from the dead? Biblical doctrine is the Gospel, the will of God for our lives. It is what Jesus talked about during his earthly ministry. In spite of how it’s sometimes been presented, the real picture of Jesus and His teachings is riveting. Jesus commanded respect, inspired commitment, and renewed lives in ruin.
6. Biblical doctrine taught early and consistently builds a faith that lasts. 2 Tim. 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Deut. 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
7. Biblical doctrine stirs the heart and mind. From the heart proceed our good and bad thoughts, emotions, and behavior. So preparing the soil of a child’s or teen’s heart is crucial if we want to plant the seeds of Biblical truth and see them grow to maturity. Rom. 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Prov. 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
8. Because there is no application without acquisition. If we want to see our children, friends and family apply Biblical truth to all areas of life, they must first know what the truth is. Knowledge means the acquisition of truth; wisdom means the application of truth. If adults and teens are to acquire wisdom and knowledge, we must encourage them to study Biblical doctrine and come to understand the character and nature of God it reveals. Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
9. Biblical doctrine convicts those that contradict. The scriptures are great at setting the record straight—whether in theology, doctrine, or lifestyle. Tit. 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10. Biblical doctrine will last forever. When we commit ourselves to teaching and training hearts and minds with the Word of God, we are planting in the lives of others something that will last through all eternity. Isa. 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
11. Because lives are at stake, and it is appointed unto every man to die once and then face judgment. James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.