Teaching | Knowable Word

Essential Resources for Bible Teachers

February 14, 2022 By Ryan Higginbottom

When corresponding with a friend last month, I recommended some Knowable Word resources for teaching the Bible. In this short post, I’m sharing those same recommendations with you. (These recommendations were at the top of my mind because I use them frequently myself. We have many posts on the blog about teaching and leading.)

Classroom or Small Group Study

While not identical, these resources can be used to prepare for either a class or small group setting. My first two recommendations are series of posts which live at the core of this website.

When teaching the Bible, the first and most important step is to understand what the Bible is saying. This blog was created to help with this goal! Start with this page on OIA Bible study.

Because we want to help people lead Bible studies, we also have a series of posts dedicated to this sort of training.

Helpful Worksheets

When preparing to teach or lead a Bible study myself, there are two worksheets that I use regularly. (You can find these and more on our Resources page.)

Teacher Preparation Worksheet — Once I’ve studied a Bible passage, this worksheet helps me organize my thoughts and create a plan for the class or small group. It also reminds me to apply the Bible to myself as the most effective way to help my friends apply it. I explain all of the details of this worksheet in this post. (I have updated this worksheet since I first posted it so that it now matches our other worksheets in appearance. Quite fancy.)
Question Writing Worksheet — One of the keys to a good class or small group is crafting engaging questions. This is hard work! I introduced this worksheet in this post, which followed a series on how to ask good questions in a small group setting.

Teaching the Bible is a great joy. It is also a great responsibility, one which we should not take lightly. It is our hope at Knowable Word that these and other resources might help you in this noble work.

Using Logos 9 to Teach the Bible

November 12, 2021 By Peter Krol

I use Logos Bible Software extensively every day. It is one of the programs I keep open constantly, so I can use it quickly and easily. I’m delighted that we’re able to give away a Logos 9 Silver base package for this year’s Bible reading challenge. One of my favorite things with the software is how it helps me teach the Bible.

By “help me teach the Bible,” I’m not referring to the study or preparation for teaching, though Logos also has much to offer in that realm. What I’m referring to here is the act of teaching. Logos offers a few features that provide the notes I take into any sermon, class, or Bible study.

Sermon Builder

The first tool is the Sermon Builder, which is essentially a word processor for Bible teachers. I write all of my sermons with it, and I prepare class notes or small group leader’s notes with it. The Logos Sermon Builder doesn’t quite have as much functionality as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but it was fully designed with Bible teachers in mind. And for that reason, it is the best word processor I have ever used for sermons.

Here’s how Sermon Builder helps me to write my sermons or teaching notes:

I can tag any text as a “prompt,” which formats it in a way that stands out. My “prompts” are instructions to myself for when I speak. They could include time markers, reminders to speak more loudly or quietly, or notes for transitioning to the next presenter after me.
I can insert any Bible text right into my notes by simply typing the reference (such as “Matt 2:1-21) and hitting enter. Then the full text of the passage magically appears.
I can similarly insert quotations from other resources in my Logos library, and Logos will automatically footnote the source for me, should I need it later.
As I type my script, a counter at the top of the screen tells me how much time it will take to preach or teach this script. I do enough ad libbing that the number is never completely accurate, but I have learned how to adjust the automatic figure to give me a realistic sense of the timing. This helps me to make sure I’m pacing my material to fit within the time I have to teach it.
Any thing I format as a heading gets automatically sent to the sermon outline, which I can later export or grab as needed for printing on handouts.
All headings and Scripture texts get automatically sent to a slide presentation, which can be used to accompany the sermon or class.

Sermon Builder helps not only with the word processing, but also with the presentation itself:

The manuscript is automatically saved to my Faithlife account on the cloud, so it is backed up there and I can access it from any device. So I type the script on my laptop, but can preach it (or lead a small group) right from my iPad by simply opening it up there.
I can go into “presentation mode,” which cuts out any clutter in the layout and provides a timer right on the screen.

Sermon Manager

The other tool is the Sermon Manager, which provides a one-stop shop for organizing all of my teaching.

Some of my recent and near-future teaching.

I don’t yet use the Sermon Manager to its full extent, but I benefit most from the following:

I can take a look at which sermons I have preached based on the venue, calendar, or text.
I can track when I’ve taught the same passage in multiple venues.
I can access my entire library of teaching notes, in case I need to refer to something on short notice.
I can map out an upcoming series, and create templates to help me save time when I’m ready to draft my notes.

Conclusion

These tools provide another reason why I have come to depend so heavily on Logos Bible Software. And the truly wonderful thing is that these marvelous tools just keep getting better and better. New features are constantly being added to program updates. If you have been considering making use of Logos 9, perhaps this year’s Bible reading challenge could be your opportunity to acquire it.

How to Help Others Apply the Bible

October 11, 2021 By Ryan Higginbottom

The church is a body, linked together in union to Jesus Christ. We need one another.

At Knowable Word, though we aim to help ordinary Christians learn to study the Bible for themselves, we do not expect or desire any believer to cut themselves off from from the body. As we need one another in general, we also need one another in Bible study.

We encourage Christians, as they are able and have opportunity, to study the Bible with other believers. Fellow disciples can offer great help in the observation and interpretation phases of examining the Scriptures. But, frankly, there are books, videos, and other resources that can offer significant help with these phases. Christian community fills an irreplaceable role when it comes to application.

I’ve previously written about how to apply the Bible in community, and in that article I focused on peer relationships. Therefore, most of this post will focus on helping others to apply the Bible as a teacher or leader.

Helping as a Friend

Application is the most personal stage of Bible study. The way a person takes a Scriptural truth and works it out has much to do with the specifics of their life—their relationships, their history, their fears, their pressures. This is where friends are essential; when others know the details of our lives, they can show us the shaded corners of our garden that are overrun with weeds. This mostly happens through longer conversations and patient questions.

A one-on-one friendship in which each person wants the best for the other is pure gold for a follower of Jesus. This is love. This is a rare opportunity to help another person believe, trust, and obey the Lord.

If you are blessed with such a friendship, thank God! And be willing to both offer and accept suggestions about Bible application in this context. If you do not have such a friendship in your life, pray earnestly that God would provide.

Helping as a Leader

Those who teach or lead others in the church have the blessing (and responsibility) to help with Bible application. While this is a natural and expected part of Bible study, it can be difficult for leaders to find their groove.

Most teachers are comfortable talking about observation and interpretation—that’s their bread and jam. But application is tough. It’s personal, as we’ve mentioned, and it’s often last, meaning it frequently gets cut in favor of earlier material. My sense is that teachers are much less practiced when it comes to bringing application in for a landing.

I see at least three ways for a leader to help others apply the Bible. The order below is not necessarily my suggested order during a class or study, merely the most natural way to discuss the options in this article. Additionally, any one attempt at encouraging application need not involve all three of these suggestions. (I’d propose a thorough mixture over time, however.)

Ask Application Questions

When it is time to turn to application in a Bible study, questions are natural. The intention here is to provoke others to consider areas where the main point of your Bible passage might have some corrective use.

When a leader knows their group well, targeted questions provide traction. There may be common situations for the group (a transition or event at church) or known experiences within the group (illnesses, difficult relationships, loss of work) that are ripe for questions to spark prayerful contemplation.

For an article-length example of application questions, see 40 Application Questions From Isaiah 40.

Give Personal Examples

When a teacher gives application examples from their own life, it serves at least two purposes. It moves the idea of application from vague to specific, and it shows that the leader has been affected by the very Scriptures they are urging their group to consider.

My friend’s application will likely not be mine. But when that friend tells me about the way God is helping them to obey the Scriptures, it gives me hope that I will find that same help in my life.

Give Application Suggestions

This strategy is like scattering seed on the ground. A teacher throws out suggestions for applications and sees where they may take root.

If a leader has applied the Bible themselves, they likely have considered a lot of applications before the class or meeting. The more specific a suggestion, the better. One of these suggestions may inspire a similar (or wildly different) application in a group member.

Conclusion

There are as many ways to faithfully apply the Bible as there are Christians reading the text. Having conversations with other believers about this application is like adding Miracle-Gro to the soil of a Christian’s life.

Once we realize just how much we need each other, we can joyfully and humbly embrace the privilege of bringing God’s Word to bear in one another’s lives.

Let the Bible Speak!

October 6, 2021 By Peter Krol

I appreciate this brief word from Amy K. Hall on the need to teach what the Bible says before attempting to teach how it applies. As she writes:

Remember that the Bible is primarily there to show us who God is and what Christ has done for us, giving us a 2,000-year history of his works, revealing his character, our purpose and need, and his solution. Sometimes, people who are teaching the Bible try much too hard to be brilliant, giving us their own insights into life rather than letting the brilliance of the Bible speak for itself. Let the Bible speak! I would rather hear one halting, inexperienced speaker show me God in a text of the Bible than hear 1,000 polished pastors give me their three-point, alliterated instructions for life, which are often only loosely based on the actual text.

Check it out!

The Best Book of the Bible for Teaching OIA

September 13, 2019 By Peter Krol

When people get excited about the OIA method of Bible study and want to teach it to others, they often ask me what the best books of the Bible are to use for this purpose. In other words, which book (or books) will make it easiest for newbies to acquire the basic skills of observation, interpretation, and application? Which book should I use as my example to make it easiest for people to learn to study the Bible for themselves?

And herein lies the beauty of the OIA method: it works equally well on any book of the Bible.

Built into the method is the need to observe the genre and ask corresponding interpretive questions. The OIA method requires you to adjust your expectations for narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, and epistle. It requires you to discover the author’s main point for his audience in their historical circumstances. It expects you to remain aware of the context so you can follow the author’s train of thought. It pushes you to connect the main point to the person and work of Jesus Christ before you attempt either inward or outward application.

And you can and should do all of these things on any and every book of the Bible.

Therefore, my stock answer to the question of which book you should use to teach the OIA method is whichever book you want. People are more likely to catch a vision for OIA Bible study from your enthusiasm for it than from any particular book of the Bible. If you try to teach the method using the “right” book or a recommended book, but you are not thrilled to your core by what God is teaching you in that book, people will tend to think the OIA method is dry and dusty.

In 20 years of teaching the OIA method, I can remember using each of the following books at various times:

Genesis
Exodus
1 Samuel
1 Kings
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Joel
Amos
Nahum
Haggai
Matthew
Mark
John
Romans
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
1 Thessalonians
2 Timothy
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
3 John

None of these books were any better or worse than others for teaching the method. What made each one work was that I was intrigued by it at the time.

Therefore, the best book of the Bible for teaching OIA Bible study is whichever book you are currently most interested in and excited about. It’s more important for you to be enthusiastic than for you to select the “right” book. Your enthusiasm will be infectious, and the people you teach are then most likely to experience firsthand the riches of the method.

Context Matters: The God-Breathed Scripture

February 22, 2019 By Peter Krol

Perhaps you’ve heard that the Scriptures were breathed out by God, and that they are profitable for teaching and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 is everyone’s go-to verse when explaining the Bible’s doctrine of itself, and rightly so. But have you considered what exactly Paul meant by this verse at the time he wrote it (Hint: He wasn’t authoring a systematic theology)? And how this verse would have landed with Timothy when he read his mentor’s letter?

Context matters. When we learn to read the Bible properly—and not merely as a collection of proof-texts for Christian doctrine—we’ll find that some of our most familiar verses have a depth we hadn’t noticed.

Paul’s Argument

See last week’s post for an explanation of the argument of 2 Timothy. The key point to remember for this week’s passage is that we’re at the end of a section where Paul instructs Timothy in how to deal with controversy in the church (2 Tim 2:14-3:17). Particularly when there are detractors swerving from the faith and challenging Timothy’s ministry.

Timothy is to learn from and follow Paul’s example in enduring persecution (2 Tim 3:10-12). He is to continue teaching the Scriptures he’s learned (2 Tim 3:14-15).

And he ought to draw confidence from the fact that the Scriptures he’s teaching are God’s own words (2 Tim 3:16). They will succeed at making Timothy a useful servant in God’s house (2 Tim 3:17).

Paul’s language

The words and phrases Paul uses in this beloved verse are carefully chosen to reinforce the points made all throughout the letter.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16).

All Scripture is breathed out by God—In 2 Tim 2:19, Paul paraphrases a few verses from Numbers 16 to show that God vindicates his servants against their detractors. Timothy does not need to defend himself; the Lord will defend him. Timothy must only continue (2 Tim 3:14) in preaching the word (2 Tim 1:6, 4:2). In so doing, he is speaking with the power and the love of God himself (2 Tim 1:7).
And profitable—Part of Timothy’s mandate is that he be useful in God’s house (2 Tim 2:21). The Scriptures are responsible and adequate to produce that usefulness in him.
For teaching—Paul was appointed to be a teacher (2 Tim 1:11), and Timothy is to train teachers (2 Tim 2:2). Timothy himself must be able to teach (2 Tim 2:24) so he can correct opponents. Timothy has followed Paul’s teaching (2 Tim 3:10). People will not always endure sound teaching (2 Tim 4:3), but Timothy must persist in it completely (2 Tim 4:2).
For reproof—Reproving is a part of preaching (2 Tim 4:2), and is required when detractors swerve from the truth and upset the faith of some (2 Tim 2:17-18).
For correction—The Scripture provide Timothy the ammunition to correct his opponents gently, in hopes that God may grant them repentance (2 Tim 2:25).
For training in righteousness—Timothy must have nothing to do with ignorant, that is “untrained,” controversies (2 Tim 2:23), but he is to train people with gentleness (2 Tim 2:25). He’s already been taught by Paul to value training in godliness, which has value in every way (1 Tim 4:6-8). As he pursues righteousness (2 Tim 2:22) and calls people to depart from unrighteousness (2 Tim 2:19), the Scripture will both train him in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16) and prepare him to receive a crown of righteousness from the judge of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8).

Paul’s Purpose

These glorious truths about the Scripture are not simply to be believed and revered. They are also to produce a harvest in the life of the preacher.

…that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Ti 3:17).

This verse forms an inclusio (bookend) with the beginning of the section, where Paul gives a metaphor to describe Timothy’s responsibility during controversy:

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work (2 Ti 2:20–21).

Timothy is to be one of those useful vessels, set apart for honorable use. He is not to be like the useless teachers who constantly quarrel about words and pursue irreverent babble (2 Tim 2:14, 16). As he teaches the Scripture (2 Tim 2:15) with competence, patience (2 Tim 2:24), and gentleness (2 Tim 2:25), he will have been equipped to usefully perform every good work.

These works cannot save him (2 Tim 1:9). But they will bolster his confidence when he’s tempted to shame (2 Tim 2:15, 1:8), thus equipping him to do his critical work of evangelism (2 Tim 4:5).

Conclusion

2 Timothy 3:16 has profound implications for our doctrine of Scripture. But Paul would not be satisfied with our reading of his letter without a correspondingly profound impact on the competence and the perseverance of a teacher’s ministry of the word.

Context matters.

For more examples of why context matters, click here.

A Great Launching Question is Worth the Effort

June 12, 2017 By Ryan Higginbottom

SpaceX (2016), public domain

If old shampoo commercials have taught me anything, it’s that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

This advice isn’t just for job applicants. Your first moments with your Bible class or small group are critical as well.

A Great Way to Begin

Some teachers begin a class with a review. Others jump right into the passage.

But most skilled teachers use a softer opening. They create a transition period where people can settle, adjust, and get on the same page. Launching questions are great for this.

What is a Launching Question?

A launching question is asked at the beginning of a class or study. It launches the group toward your goal, gathering as many people on board as possible. (We’ve written about launching questions before, and Peter has provided some great examples.)

Much of the power of small groups (and smaller classes) lies in the interaction between the people. A good launching question encourages participation, showing that conversation is welcome, safe, and valued. The best questions are also linked to the topic or text of the meeting.

Common Mistakes with Launching Questions

I’ve seen and made lots of mistakes at the beginning of a Bible study. Most of these mistakes fall into four categories.

Too Heavy/Personal

Some questions ask for too much too soon. Someone who just sat down might not be ready to summarize Genesis or talk honestly about their sin. Asking a question that demands too much often results in silence, and nobody wants that!

In my small group we aim for honest conversations and personal applications of the Bible, but these discussions often happen toward the end of the study, not the beginning. I ask for more depth (both cognitively and emotionally) as the meeting progresses.

Disconnected

It’s easy to get people talking—sports, weather, or politics should do the trick. But if your interaction isn’t connected to the subsequent material, that launching question can seem like a waste.

Fill in the Blank

Some questions have only one answer. These are fine in an elementary school classroom, but in a small group they promote the illusion of interaction without the reality.

Try to craft a launching question which is open-ended and easy for everyone to answer. Instead of fill-in-the-blank questions, state the truth you’re fishing for and follow up with why or how.

Not Clear

The specific wording of a question is critical, and I’ve found that improvising doesn’t work. I encourage every teacher to write down their questions verbatim and in an easy-to-spot place in their notes.

Without a scripted beginning, my launching questions end up being too long, vague, or confusing. A clear, straightforward question is most important in those opening minutes.

An Example: Idolatry

Suppose you’re teaching on a passage which centers on idolatry. You plan to steer application toward personal and corporate idols in the church.

Let’s discuss some possible launching questions.

Can family be an idol? — This is a yes/no question, so by itself it won’t generate any conversation. Instead, start by defining an idol and then ask how a good thing like family could become an idol.
Is family a prominent idol for people in our church? — This puts some distance between the responder and the response, which encourages answers. But the flaw in this question is asking people to confess the sins of others. Because this could lead to gossip, I’d avoid this question.
What is an idol? — Depending on the maturity of your group, this could be a great place to start. To encourage multiple people to participate, follow up by asking for examples.
What is one of your personal idols? — This is too personal for a launching question. Build up to questions that call for revealing answers like this one.
What are some common idols in the modern church? — If your group is familiar with the definition of an idol, this is a great launching question. It isn’t personal, it gives people some detachment in their answers, and it encourages talk about general trends instead of specific people.

There are other ways to begin a study like this; drop your suggestions in the comments!

Worth the Effort

I write my launching question at the end of my study preparation. I need to know the end of the story before I take aim at the beginning. (It’s one of the hardest parts for me!)

Remember that every group and class is different, so what works for me might not work for you. If your small group shares a meal before your study, or if your class always follows a focused time of prayer, you can handle the beginning of your meeting differently.

A slam-dunk launching question won’t make up for poor study preparation. But a good question will pave the way toward a productive, fruitful discussion. It’s worth the effort!

How to Teach Any Bible Passage

May 1, 2017 By Ryan Higginbottom

anonymous (2017), public domain

Have you been asked to teach the Bible? Maybe you’d like to prepare something for your Sunday school class, small group, or youth group. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the task, you’ve come to the right place.

Two Elements of Preparation

There are two elements to any good communication of the Bible: getting it right, and getting it across.

First, study the Bible and understand what it says and what that means. Then, determine the best way to help your people understand the passage. All of the advice that follows falls into one of these two categories.

A Preparation Guide

Here are eleven steps toward preparing a lesson on the Bible.

Pray — You can’t do anything apart from God. Pray for your own study and pray for God’s work through you in the class.
Read the Bible passage as many times as you can. Depending on the length, aim for at least ten.
Study the passage. At this blog we teach the Observation, Interpretation, Application (OIA) Bible study method. Your goal should be to find the main point (or sometimes, main points) of the passage. Expect to spend several hours on this part of the process. (You may find these worksheets helpful.)
Try not to use commentaries or notes in your study Bible until after you’ve studied the passage on your own.
Think through this question: how does this passage (and especially its main point) connect to Jesus and the gospel?
Prayerfully apply the passage (especially the main point) to yourself. Application can happen in the realms of head, heart, and hands. The more God works on you personally through this passage, the greater impact your teaching will have.
Produce an outline of the passage. This needn’t be too detailed, but try to describe how the sections of your passage fit together.
Your first goal in teaching is to lead the class to the main point of the passage. Think about how you arrived at the main point. What supporting truths helped you get there?
To help the class grasp these supporting truths, determine what questions (both observation and interpretation) you will ask to lead the discussion. (The size of your group will determine how much interaction you can have, but you should push for as much as possible.) Because it is easy to forget your questions in the moment, write them down ahead of time. This is one of the hardest and most important parts of teaching—asking good questions.
Think about application for the class. What questions will help the class consider personal application? Are there corporate applications the class should consider? What are some barriers to these personal or corporate applications?
Finally, consider how you will begin the class. To get the class primed for the lesson, you might target an application or a theme or even something related to the main point. Will you start the class with a launching question? Will you start the class some other way?

A Worksheet

If you’d like a resource to use when planning to teach the Bible, check out this worksheet. Please use it if you find it helpful.

Helpful Meetings

Here’s one last piece of advice. Talk about your lesson both before and after the class.

I’ve insisted on these conversations as I train adult Sunday school teachers in my local church. These meetings have made a huge difference, both in the quality of the class and the development of the teachers.

Find a friend and chat a few days before the class. Talk about the main point and what questions you plan to ask. Give your friend permission to ask questions and tell you if your setup makes sense.

Ask your friend to sit in on the class and then pass along feedback afterward. Make sure your relationship (and their personality) allows for honesty in this conversation. Helpful feedback will involve both the good and the bad from your lesson.

What An Opportunity!

Teaching the Bible is a serious task and privilege. Don’t try to be fancy. Explain your thinking, ask good questions, and help your people see that studying the Bible is something anyone can do.

5 Ways Loving Your Neighbor Will Change Your Bible Teaching

November 30, 2016 By Peter Krol

To help you teach the Bible more effectively, Mark Ward writes of the basic but crucial matter of loving the people you teach. Loving them will strengthen your teaching in at least 5 ways:

Love will keep you from assuming knowledge they don’t have.
Love will keep you from using words not in their vocabulary.
Love will help you work at finding the best ways to help them take the next step.
Love will give you the energy you need to push them forward.
Love will alleviate improper pressure on you to please others.

Check it out!

How to Empower Your Church for Serious Bible Study

June 8, 2016 By Peter Krol

Last week, the blog for Logos Bible Software published a piece I wrote entitled “How to Empower Your Church for Serious Bible Study.” In the article, I explain 4 simple habits churches and ministries can pursue to foster a culture of strong Bible study among the membership.

A reader of my blog recently emailed to say, “I was never intentionally taught how to lead a Bible study, and, when the time came for me to teach others how to do it, I had no idea even where to begin.” Do you know this guy? Does your church have such people, eager but directionless? They might never go to seminary, but I assure you they can become terrific Bible students and teachers.

I present Exhibit A: my friend, who is a theoretical physicist. He wrote a dissertation about non-standard neutrino interactions and their oscillation degeneracy. You might expect such an intellectual giant to struggle communicating with mere humans. And you might not expect such an academic to thrive in relational ministry. But one night I witnessed him leading a knockout Bible study for ordinary folks. He never held church office, and his Bible training came only from his experience as a church member. Yet he got so much right:

He knew the text cold and could state its main point in a single sentence.

He asked thoughtful questions that kept us transfixed on the text.

He responded to the flow of the discussion without getting sidetracked.

He showed us the beauty of Christ.

He applied the text with both broad principles and specific life examples.

I’ve served in campus ministry for 17 years, and I’ve been a local church elder for more than half that time. I could recount many similar stories about regular church members—engineers, financial planners, school teachers, military officers and enlisted, factory workers, teenagers, medical professionals, accountants, artists, widows, retirees—who’ve learned to study, apply, and teach God’s word. My church and campus ministries have managed to empower people for serious Bible study.

How did we do it? By applying these four principles.

To learn the four habits, see the full post at Logos. If you’d like to hear more about the knockout Bible study led by the theoretical physicist, see my post on how to lead a great Bible study. To learn more about fostering a vibrant culture of Bible study in your church, see my post with a model for teaching Bible study or Ryan’s excellent series on building this culture.

Check it out!