To Preach or to Teach

Understanding the Distinct Roles of Preaching and Teaching in Faith

In our recent broadcast, we explored the distinction between preaching and teaching within the context of faith, particularly focusing on how these two approaches serve different purposes in the life of a believer and in outreach to non-believers.

The discussion began with a reflection on a common frustration: when well-meaning individuals open their Bibles to non-believers or when pastors preach to believers instead of engaging them with the Scriptures. This led us to examine a key verse from Paul’s letter to Titus, where he emphasizes that God manifested His Word through preaching. This highlights the importance of spoken proclamation in revealing Jesus to the world.

We noted that while God’s Word was established long before, the specific revelation of Jesus Christ is communicated through preaching—what the Greek term “karoogma” refers to as proclamation. This method of sharing the Gospel is vital because it allows the spoken testimony of witnesses to reach the hearts of those who may not yet understand the written Word.

The conversation also touched on the role of the written Word after an individual has come to faith. Once someone recognizes Jesus for who He is, the Scriptures become essential for teaching, instruction, and spiritual growth. This distinction is crucial: preaching is meant for the lost, while teaching is for the found.

We emphasized that churches should focus on teaching the Bible to their congregations rather than repeatedly preaching the basics of faith. The writer of Hebrews reinforces this idea, urging believers to move beyond the foundational principles and grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

In summary, we concluded that the approach to sharing faith should be intentional: preach Jesus to non-believers and teach the Scriptures to believers. This ensures that each group receives the guidance they need to grow in their faith and understanding, always relying on the Spirit to lead the way.