One of the things young people say as they leave the church is that our Bible teaching is boring and irrelevant. Some might even say it is faithful but dull.
The mind boggles at the thought—how can the most spectacular story of all time, the unfolding drama of redemption, be drained of its wonder? How is it that when we speak of the God who spoke the cosmos into existence, who split the sea in two, who thundered from Mount Sinai, who took on flesh and dwelt among us, we are met with vacant stares and restless fidgeting? And yet, it happens.
Of course, we are a people who prize highly the right handling of God’s Word. We believe in exegesis, in exposition, in the serious study of Scripture. Rightly so! But in our pursuit of precision, have we lost proclamation? Have we mistaken correctness for conviction? In short, have we forgotten that faithful teaching is not just about transmitting truth but about igniting faith?
Faithful but Dull? The Problem Before Us
We are not the first generation to struggle with this. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he reminded them that his preaching was not merely a demonstration of human wisdom but a proclamation in the Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:4). In Nehemiah’s time, when Ezra opened the Law and read it clearly, the people wept (Nehemiah 8:8–9). That is what faithful, Spirit-filled Bible teaching should do—it should awaken souls.
And yet, in many churches today, Bible teaching among children and young people drifts toward one of two extremes:
- The Shallow Approach – Teaching that is engaging, fun, and emotionally appealing but lacks depth. The Bible is reduced to a collection of moral lessons, and children grow up without theological roots. The problem here is not boredom, but fluffiness—truth so watered down that it cannot sustain faith in the trials of life.
- The Academic Approach – Teaching that is theologically rich, serious, and faithful but feels like a lecture. It is technically correct but lacks warmth, conviction, and the sense that God is speaking. The problem here is not inaccuracy, but lifelessness—Scripture presented as mere information rather than the living and active Word that pierces the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
We must reject both. Neither entertainment nor exegesis alone will form disciples of Christ. We must teach in a way that is both faithful and gripping—because that is how the Bible speaks.
Recovering the Wonder of Scripture
So what must we do? How do we ensure that our Bible teaching burns with the fire of truth, rather than leaves young people cold?
1. Teach the Bible the Way the Bible Teaches Itself
The Bible is not a manual of doctrinal statements. It is a story—a true, authoritative, divinely inspired, Spirit-breathed narrative that stretches from creation to new creation, centred on the person and work of Christ. And it tells that story in a variety of ways—law, poetry, prophecy, history, gospel, epistle, and apocalypse. Each of these genres demands to be taught as it was written.
- Narrative should feel like a story unfolding, not a textbook being dissected.
- Prophecy should thunder with urgency.
- The Psalms should be taught with raw emotion, not clinical detachment.
- The epistles should press into real-life questions, not be left in the abstract.
If we reduce Scripture to bullet points, we will rob it of its God-given power to grip the soul.
2. Teach With Awe, Not Just Accuracy
Doctrine is glorious. Theology is essential. But if our teaching of divine truth lacks awe, we have failed. How can we speak of the Incarnation—God taking on human flesh—without wonder? How can we teach the Resurrection—Christ trampling death underfoot—without trembling joy? If we ourselves are not moved by these truths, how can we expect our children to be?
John Owen famously said, “No man preaches that sermon well to others that doth not first preach it to his own heart.” If the Word has not ignited our own souls, it will never ignite the souls of others.
3. Recover the Power of Imagination
We are embodied beings. We learn not just through logic, but through imagination, imagery, and story. God designed us this way, which is why He reveals Himself through visions, parables, and poetry.
- Jesus spoke of a mustard seed growing into a mighty tree.
- He compared the kingdom of God to hidden treasure and a pearl of great price.
- The prophets described God’s redemption as a valley of dry bones coming to life.
Are we teaching like that? Are we using vivid language, compelling stories, and real-life illustrations to help children and young people see the glory of God’s Word?
4. Teach With Urgency and Conviction
The gospel is not a topic for academic discussion—it is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). When Paul preached, he was not merely passing on information; he was pleading, persuading, urging people to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). He was not casual or indifferent; he was compelled by the love of Christ.
Are we? Do we teach as though eternity is at stake?
We must never reduce Bible teaching to a dry exercise in exegesis. Faithfulness demands more. Faithfulness requires that we teach with a burning heart (Luke 24:32), pleading with our young people to see Christ’s beauty, to know His grace, and to follow Him with joy.
5. Trust the Spirit to Breathe Life Into Our Teaching
Ultimately, only the Spirit gives life (John 6:63). No amount of passion, clarity, or engagement can change a heart apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. But He has chosen to work through faithful proclamation. He uses teachers who are gripped by the Word they proclaim. He works through truth that is spoken with love and urgency.
If we believe this, we will pray. We will plead with God to take our words and set them ablaze in young hearts. We will labour in teaching—not simply to inform minds, but to see spiritual transformation.
A Call to Wake Up
This is not a call to make the Bible “fun.” Nor is it an invitation to replace depth with entertainment. It is a call to wake up.
If we truly believe that Scripture is the voice of the living God, we cannot teach it in a way that leaves young people cold. If we truly believe that Christ is the pearl of great price, we cannot teach in a way that makes Him seem ordinary.
Faithfulness without fire is not faithfulness. Let us repent of lifeless teaching. Let us tremble again at the weight of the truth we proclaim. Let us teach with joy, wonder, and urgency—because the Word of God is anything but dull.
