There are all types of churches. I think this is a good thing because it allows people of all walks of life to feel comfortable worshipping the Lord. The color and variety of different groups brings life to the church and glory to God. One thing that should be common in each is the teaching of God’s Word. Everyone should value the importance of teaching Scripture. Without it, we are lost and weak.
1 Corinthians 14:19
Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in another tongue.
Paul’s Desire for People to Learn the Word of God
The topic of speaking in tongues is a contentious one in the church. There are those who say that gifts like that ceased with the death of the last Apostle, and then there are those who say you aren’t saved unless you speak in tongues. There is a large swath of space between those two camps, and I’m not going to debate either. The Apostle Paul would be somewhere in the middle. He proclaimed to speak in tongues more than anyone but tells us here that teaching is more valuable when it comes to a group setting in the church. He wanted people to learn from God’s Word, and speaking in a language everyone understood accomplishes that.
The Word of God Changes Lives
The Spirit should be allowed to move in church services. People should be prayed for, and gifts should be exercised, but the teaching of God’s Word should always be the top priority. Not because of the speaker but because it is living and powerful and capable of changing lives. When the Bible is rightfully taught, hearts are convicted, and people are brought to repentance. When Scripture is explained, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom increase in the person and the church. This allows the Spirit to bring unity.
The Importance of Teaching Scripture
If you don’t go to a church that teaches the Bible, you are missing out. Hebrews describes it as one who should be eating meat but is still stuck on milk. It keeps Christians weak and self-centered. The more mature you grow in your faith, the more you should desire the teaching of God’s Word.