5 Minute Lessons on the Kingdom of God
Why Teach Doctrine?
Read time: 3 minutes
Downloads
Printable PDF Lesson
Audio Lesson
Audio Lesson
Why Teach Doctrine?
There are many that feel that it is unnecessary, even divisive, to teach doctrine. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bible doctrine is the truth of God's Word, which needs to be taught. Jesus said, "...My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent Me" (John 7:16). Paul said to Timothy, "But thou has fully known my doctrine, [and] manner of life..." (2 Timothy 3:10). Doctrine should lead to life, practice, and application. As believers we are told to "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). The Apostle Paul said, "...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... And shall turn away their ears from the truth..." (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Three Sources of Doctrine
There are three sources of doctrine:
  1. God
  2. Man
  3. Satan
In Matthew 16:13-23 we see all three sources revealed. When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (verses 16-17). This was the doctrine of God coming to Peter.

When asked the same question, many people said Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or some other prophet (verse 14). This was the doctrine of man, that is, only human thinking. Jesus said that traditions and doctrines of men make the Word of God of none effect (Mark 7:7-9, 13). Believers are warned not to be carried about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).

In verses 21-23, Peter rebuked Jesus for saying He was going to the cross. Jesus replied, "Get thee behind me Satan..." (Matthew 16:23). This was a doctrine of Satan. The Apostle Paul states that "...in the latter time some will depart from the [Christian] faith and give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). Proper understanding of God's Word is the only way to correct the false teaching of man and the doctrines of demons.

Doctrine Must Be Sound
Sound doctrine is revealed as:
  1. The doctrine of God (1 Timothy 6:1-3; Titus 2:10)
  2. The doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1)
  3. The Apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42)
Contained within these doctrines are:

A Personal & Intimate Relationship with God
The purpose of all Bible doctrine is that man may come to know God in a personal and intimate way, as revealed in Jesus Christ (John 17:3; Acts 9:5).
Questions
  1. Read John 7:16.
    "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." - John 7:16
    Jesus said, My doctrine is not mine, but:
    1. His that sent me [God's]
    2. the Pharisee's
    3. the Jewish Rabbi's
    Answer
  2. Read 2 Timothy 3:10.
    "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience," - 2 Timothy 3:10
    The way the Apostle Paul lived and his:
    1. doctrine was fully known to others
    2. teaching CD's were fully known to others
    3. appearance was fully known to others
    Answer
  3. Read James 1:22.
    "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22
    Doctrine will not benefit unless there is:
    1. application (it has to be applied)
    2. meditation
    3. a teaching degree
    Answer
  4. Read Jude 3.
    "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." - Jude 3
    As believers we are to:
    1. earnestly contend for the Christian faith which was once delivered unto the saints
    2. read Christian books continually
    3. go to church on Sunday
    Answer
  5. Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
    "3For 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; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - John 7:16
    The Apostle Paul said there will be a time when many shall turn away their:
    1. ears from the truth
    2. money from the offerings
    3. children from the family
    Answer
  6. Read Matthew 16:13-23.
    "13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
    14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
    15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
    16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
    17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
    18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
    19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
    20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
    21From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
    22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
    23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."     - Matthew 16:13-23
    What are the three sources of doctrine?
    1. God, man, and satan
    2. priest, clergy and laity
    3. preachers, prophets & evangelist
    Answer
  7. Read Acts 2:42.
    "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42
    As disciples of Jesus, we are to continue steadfastly in:
    1. the devil's doctrine
    2. man's doctrine
    3. the apostles' doctrine
    Answer
  8. Read Hebrews 6:1-2.
    "1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." - Hebrews 6:1-2
    The doctrine of Christ consist of:
    1. repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment
    2. the trinity, rapture and the end times
    Answer
  9. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-4.
    "3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing..." - 1 Timothy 6:3-4
    We are to teach and consent to the words of:
    1. man
    2. satan
    3. your pastor
    4. our Lord Jesus Christ
    Answer
  10. Read 1 Timothy 6:3.
    "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;" - 1 Timothy 6:3
    The words of the Lord Jesus Christ and His doctrine are according to:
    1. ungodliness
    2. the Law
    3. godliness
    Answer
  11. Read Titus 2:7-10.
    "7In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." - Titus 2:7-10
    In doctrine we should display:
    1. corruptness
    2. works of the law
    3. uncorruptness; that is, we don't want anyone to look down on God's message because of their behavior (The Message Bible, verse 7)
      "But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, trustworthy in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around." - Titus 2:7-8 (The Message Bible)
    Answer
  12. Read Luke 4:43.
    " And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent." - Luke 4:43
    The doctrine of Christ involves preaching:
    1. the kingdom of God
    2. asking Jesus into your heart
    3. prosperity
    Answer
  13. Read 2 Timothy 3:16.
    "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - 2 Timothy 3:16
    All scripture is profitable for:
    1. doctrine
    2. reading
    3. edification
    Answer
  14. Read John 17:3.
    "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." - John 17:3
    The purpose of Bible doctrine is that man may come to:
    1. know God
    2. a higher education
    3. know more about religion
    Answer
We want to hear from you!
We would love to hear your feedback on these lessons and how you use them in your own study or in discipling others. If you have any thoughts, stories, testimonies, comments, or questions we would love to hear them!








Next Lesson:next-arrow
What Was the Message of Jesus?