Teach The Word

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

“A man of God is not known first by what he teaches, but by what he obeys. Ezra studied the Word, practiced the Word, and then taught the Word. We must never reverse that order. Do first, then teach.” 

I was really provoked by this verse. Some of the best Bible teachers I know didn’t go to prestigious universities or seminaries. They simply read the Word and lived it.

This problem of paper qualifications is common everywhere. In the military, officers who have training but no combat experience are often not as effective. University professors sometimes teach subjects they’ve never actually practiced. Sadly, we sometimes see very young seminary graduates step into leadership without much life experience actually doing what the Bible says.

All throughout Scripture we see the importance of obedience. When Abraham obeyed God, the Lord said, “Because you have obeyed my voice… I will surely bless you.” (Genesis 22:18). The Bible consistently shows that God blesses obedience. We don’t just need more Bible scholars — we need more Bible practitioners.

The great news is this: anyone can be a practitioner of the Bible. Read the Word and do it. Then teach someone else. You don’t have to be a professional to disciple someone; you just need to be one chapter ahead of the person you are helping.

Teaching while doing is one of the most effective ways to actually retain and live out what you learn.

So go read the Bible. Obey it. Then teach someone else to do the same. That’s how we make disciples like Jesus commanded in Matthew 28.

Study the Word, do the Word, and teach the Word — just like Ezra.