The Bible holds a central place in the life of a Christian. My journey in simple church has included important lessons about how we teach, learn, and apply the Bible to our lives and communities.
Traditionally, many people receive most of their Bible instruction through Sunday preaching and teaching. Bible study is also often emphasized, usually in a teacher-and-class environment or through a facilitated workbook. All these things can be good and important, but simple church calls us to think differently about how we learn and how we help others learn the Bible.
Two things are essential: personal ownership and learning to follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us into truth and understanding.
A healthy, simple church does not center its meetings on the teaching gift of one person. Instead, it creates space for all believers to teach and encourage one another as each person brings what God is teaching them to the community (Romans 12:6–8; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:26). Because of this, each believer needs to take personal responsibility for their growth and understanding of Scripture. It is not “the leader’s” job to give people fish, but to help them learn to fish. Each person is encouraged to become a self-feeder.
This is true of all Christians. Otherwise, we can become unhealthily dependent on others and vulnerable to harmful teaching. Scripture calls believers to mature, crave spiritual nourishment, and examine what they are taught (Hebrews 5:12–14; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 17:11). The absence of a professional preacher or teacher in simple church highlights this need. If someone attends a simple church gathering expecting simply to be fed God’s Word, it is important to help them take responsibility for learning the Bible. Otherwise, they may not remain long enough to discover the joy of simple church communities.
We must also embrace the truth that the Holy Spirit leads us into truth and helps us understand God’s Word (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27,2; James 1:5). Those who seek will find (Matthew 7:7–8). What an amazing reality: the God who inspired Scripture lives in us through His Spirit and is available to guide us (2 Peter 1:20–21; Romans 8:9–11)!
When we understand that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher, we are free and confident to contribute in gatherings and help others learn the Bible for themselves. Our confidence is no longer based merely on knowledge or skill, but on God’s ability to lead his people (Philippians 1:3-11).
In addition, we are called to share and teach the truth, but we do not have to police everyone’s beliefs or demand that others reach our conclusions immediately. We can be patient with those in our community, sharing truth while earning the opportunity to speak into their lives through love and hospitality (2 Timothy 2:24–26; 1 Peter 3:15; Romans 14:1). It has taken me 35 years to know Jesus as I know Him today. Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit take time to lead those with whom I disagree?
What About the Teacher?
All this does not mean gifted teachers no longer have a role. Quite the opposite: in a healthy simple church, more people are empowered to discover and exercise their gift of teaching (Romans 12:6–7; 1 Corinthians 12:28). When teaching does not require a pulpit, PowerPoint, microphone, or 30 to 60 minutes of silent congregational listening, more people have the opportunity to teach.
Gifted teachers bless the community by teaching in ways similar to Jesus: asking thoughtful questions, addressing topics that arise from life, developing a broad understanding of Scripture, and speaking wisely into present needs. Jesus taught what the Father gave Him to say, and at times He chose silence (John 12:49–50; Matthew 21:23–27). Much of His teaching took place along the road, around the dinner table, and in public settings (Luke 5:29–32; Luke 10:38–42; Mark 4:1–2). His messages were often concise (The longest being the Sermon on the Mount can be read in about 10 minutes!). What is more, He empowered His disciples to teach and minister what He was teaching them (Matthew 10:5–8; Luke 9:1–6).
Likewise, today teachers help reproduce the ability to teach in others (2 Timothy 2:2). They invite Jesus’ followers into a deeper knowledge of the Bible and faith through relationship, without being forceful. They may initiate Bible study opportunities outside of gatherings. In gatherings, they share simple, concise messages that are “not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). Their teaching carries weight not because of position, title, or degrees—although they may have those—but because simple church is close-contact Christianity. Like Jesus and His disciples, teachers and learners share a relationship of love and life.
Learning to Fish
I have written previously about how Khan Academy founder Sal Khan is helping to “flip” classrooms from places of content delivery into more human-centered environments where content is experienced, and students learn at their own pace. Many of us have found that simple church gatherings work best in a similar way: Bible content is primarily engaged with outside the gathering, then applied and shared when we come together.
In the past, perhaps only the minister in a town or village had access to information or books exploring the historical background of the biblical text—or even to a readable Bible. It is easy to see how dependence on the local pastor for biblical instruction developed. Today, however, believers have access to an abundance of resources for exploring the depths of Scripture and learning from faithful teachers throughout history.
Teaching others to fish for truth in God’s Word throughout the week enables us to flip the church gathering (2 Timothy 3:14–17). Bible literacy can grow without a traditional-style sermon being the focal point of the weekly church gathering. Instead, we can benefit from all the gifts in the body—not only teaching one another, but also making room for the many other “one another” commands in Scripture.
So how do we practically teach others to fish? We can learn much from our brothers and sisters on the mission field. In many places, a full-time pastor or teacher is simply not an option. Missionaries may lead people to Christ and often have to leave after a short time, checking in only occasionally to strengthen and encourage new believers. In these settings, discovery Bible studies can help believers depend on one another and on the Holy Spirit as they learn Scripture (John 16:13). House churches have even been birthed from such studies.
While there are many ways to learn and teach, discovery Bible study helps Christians engage Scripture and depend on the Holy Spirit rather than on a single expert. One of my favorite tools is the Life Transformation Group (LTG), which facilitates discovery Bible study with one or two others. If everyone in a simple church were involved in something like an LTG, it could greatly increase Bible literacy and application while creating more participatory fellowship.
Read more about LTGs here.
More on Discovery Bible Study here.
This article is part 5 of a series of posts about important lessons I’ve learned over the past 15 years of being part of a simple church community with my family and friends. The previous articles are 1-15 Years In, 2-It Takes Courage, 3-Unity With Your Spouse, and 4-God’s Pace.
