What is the source of your doctrine? It is easy to become influenced in what we believe by what we hear or read. That source can be other Christians, pastors/theologians, books/articles, workmates, schoolmates, media/televison, and more. But how does your doctrine compare to the ultimate source: God’s Word? Are you regularly in the habit of checking out what people are saying? In two recent Sunday School lessons, I checked out something in the leader guide. I recommend not rushing so you have time to look for answers in God’s Word.
Catechism
What is a catechism? It is a statement of a church or denomination set of doctrines, teachings, or beliefs. Many are in question-and-answer form to make it easy to teach/learn and explain doctrine. What is the source for your catechism? Even if you trust those who developed it, I recommend comparing it to God’s Word. Are there differences? Even if you agree with everything written it it, I recommend investing the time in God’s Word to check out each idea and phrase. The time with God in His Word is always worth the investment.
Statement of Faith
A statement of faith is a church, denomination, or organization’s mission and core beliefs, explaining and anchoring the group’s teaching in God’s Word. It comes more often in narrative form rather than question-and-answer. Even when a statement of faith lists scriptures supporting each statement/doctrine, understanding and trust comes from comparing the statement of faith with God’s Word. Again, research time in God’s Word is a wise investment.
Theology Books, Professors, and Pastors
When someone recommends a book, professor, or pastor, listen carefully and check out what they are teaching. I am not trying to encourage constant suspicion. What I am encouraging is going to the source for doctrine: God’s Word. Spend time in God’s Word. A good friend who is a Sunday School teacher regularly reminds his class to make sure what He is teaching is in agreement with God’s Word. The way to tell the difference between a counterfeit $50 and a real one is to study the real one. The same is true for doctrine. Go to the source, to God’s Word.
Teach Disciples How to Study the Source of Your Doctrine
Teach them how to study God’s Word. It does not have to be a complicated set of questions. You might teach them to use newpaper questions: who, what, when, where, how, and why. It can be teaching them simple methods for journaling. Developing a healthy dialogue with other believers can be a great learning experience that also reduces mistakes.
Your disciples will not always have access to you. So teach them how to discover answers for themselves. And in so doing, you will be encouraging a life-changing personal relationship with a living God. And remember to teach them to pay it forward, to pass along their love for God and His Word. Make disciples!
