Teaching Knowledge

The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, it is to bring you into the knowledge of God; and secondarily, to teach you how to instruct others in that truth. I remember the time when I was young in the Lord, energetic and craving for the knowledge of God. Oh, how I wanted someone to teach me the truth. For many years, I struggled, wandering aimlessly through the halls of tradition and ignorance. But God had a plan, and it was to personally visit me with the truth of His Word. Were it not for the visitations I’ve had from God, I might still be swimming around in a sea of despair. I know there are many in the Body of Christ who are even as I was and I want to spare you the hopelessness of ignorance. Therefore, by the condition of my heart as well as by commandment from God, I will do my best to pass on to you the things the Master has taught me over the years. While preparing for this lesson, my spirit was moved to go back to the very first things the Lord taught me about study and teaching the Word. And that is where we will start.

Isaiah 28:9

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

For us, a simple definition will be, the passing on of information and experience; to bring others to an awareness of the truth.

UNDERSTANDING DOCTRINE

To discern, perceive, or regard; the good news, report, or word of the Lord. Weaned from milk and the breasts: This is another way of saying what Paul said to the church at Corinth; "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” ( 1 Corinthians 13:11)

Thus, instruction in the Word of God is intended to bring us to maturity. Its purpose is to bring us to the fullness of the statue of the man Jesus. The Word will enable us to be conformed to the image of our Christ.

Isaiah 28:10

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

The word precept is a commandment or principle. Thus, commandment must be laid upon commandment or principle upon principle. Simply, every commandment or truth must be taught in light of or considering all truth. Line upon line refers to a rule, or a rule of law. It is the framework of the truth. I call this scripture that illustrates the setting of the boundaries of the faith.

Example:

Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. (Romans 6:1b, 2a)

This verse allows us to know that we have stepped outside the faith when we commit sin. Below is a list of some of the teachings that are “rules of law,” or lines upon which all scripture must be reconciled.

• The Doctrine of Suffering
• The Doctrine of Contentment
• The Doctrine of Love
• The Doctrine of Faith
• The Doctrine of Baptism
• The Resurrection
• Purpose

When you learn to take the time to test your teaching against these lines (rules of the faith), you will indeed manifest the wisdom of your gift.

Isaiah 28:11-13

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Because Israel was in rebellion, having turned away from the covenants of God, when the prophet, Isaiah preached to them repentance, the coming of a redeemer, and a time of refreshing; they would not hear. Furthermore, their pride and arrogance offended the Lord. Therefore, he gave them over to their own vanity. To them, the Word of the Lord sounded like vain repetitions of God’s commandments and laws. This is very much the same operation that took place when Jesus came to speak to the nation.

Matthew 13:13-16

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

In previous lessons in this course, we learned how to outline a lesson in preparation for preaching or teaching. This outline, however, was based on the selection of a subject or theme; and then identifying a “base scripture” that would be the foundational scripture; from which all other scripture would flow. For the sake of this course, I call this form of study “precept upon precept,” simply because it deals with subjects and themes that always translate into operations of God, commandments or spiritual rules of law.

The ‘Precept Upon Precept’ Outline

1. The Objective

2. Base Scripture

• a. The base scripture keeps you focused on the purpose of the lesson.
• b. The foundational scripture upon which you will build all the components of your lesson.
• c. It can be a fundamental principle or underlying concept. One such principle could be, “God exalts the humble,” or “The proud shall be abased.”
• d. A concept would be something like “Faith,” or “Salvation,” or “Grace.”

3. Content

An explanation or discussion of the base scripture, and any supporting scriptures.

• a. You must learn to take bits and pieces of the base scripture and prove them; before you can formulate a comprehensive exposition.
• b. You must first decide what it is you want to prove, or what direction you want to study to take.

4. Definitions: to make clear or distinct.

• a. To define: the meaning of a word, phrase or expression.
• b. To give meanings of words or terms used in the lesson that may need clarification.

5. Operations: How a thing is manifested in the lives of the sons.

• a. Give examples of how the word you are ministering is manifested in circumstances, situations and relationships, whether directly (from personal experience ), or indirectly (observing someone else’s experience).
• b. A principle that we must learn as theologians: We must never teach or define the operations of God based on our own direct or indirect experiences.
• c. It is unlawful to look at our lives, even after being saved; and define the operations of God. Your life should only be used as a witness to the truth.
• d. Define the operations of God based upon how the scriptures define them. For example, if you have not walked in your renewed mind, don’t paint the narrative that God didn’t renew our minds at salvation, for He did. It’s just that I have not walked in that renewed mind.

6. Oppositions: To oppose, or to be in conflict with the truth; either by attitude or obstruction.

• a. Show hindrances to walking in the principles that are taught in the lesson.
• b. Show the consequences of not coming into agreement with the Word.

7. Deliverance: to set free, to liberate.

In this lesson, we are going to learn how to read the scriptures. This is important. Some Ministers have gone shipwreck in their preaching and teaching because they did not understand what they are reading. But let us not confuse reading with grammatical comprehension and reading with revelation knowledge. Anyone can learn how to grammatically read a verse correctly, but an understanding or revelation of its spiritual meaning comes from God. Let us lay down a set of rules here that might help you in understanding what a verse is offering. Now keep in mind this is not a conventional method of study that I learned in some theological institution. It is simply my way of reading the Bible. When I get to a verse or verses that are not so readily understandable, I look for the answer to one or more of these five questions; who, what, why, where and when. In every verse or set of verses, there will be at least two of these questions answered.

1. Who is the verse talking about? The person, place or thing the verse or phrase is referring to.

Numbers 15:36

And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

b. Who did the act: the congregation as punishment for the man violated the Sabbath, the Lord and Moses.

2. What happened; or what is the verse describing? The action, event, or subject matter; that is referred to in the verse or set of verses.

What: a man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath day

3. When did or will the event occur?

The event occurred while the children of Israel were in the wilderness.

4. Why did the event occur?

Because God had already stated that if any man worked on the sabbath, he was to be put to death. (Exodus 31:15)

- The timing of the event “For yet a little while;” and the wicked shall not be…(Ps. 37:10)

Hebrews 10:36

For ye have need of patience, that “after ye have done the will of God;” you might receive the promise.

4. Where did, or will, the event take place?

…And thou shalt have treasure in Heaven” (Matt.19:21)

“Through the veil” I will put my laws into their mind and write them “in their hearts” Heb.8:10

5. Why did it happen? Why is it necessary?

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law into their heart and in their minds will I write them.(Hebrews 8:10)

Again, there seems to be additional information in this lesson, but for some reason it is completely disjointed.

Practice these techniques daily and you will grow in knowledge.

Love you, Mary Banks Apostle