F4S: October 2025

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Sup With Teaching, And Who Were Some Notable Teachers of Scripture?

Jesus is the greatest Gift, but sound Bible teaching is another one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. It's a sacred thread woven through the story of redemption. We are born without knowledge, stepping into a world that must be learned: how to speak, move, relate, and discern right from wrong. From our first breath, we are students, shaped by instruction. It is no surprise, then, that Scripture exalts teaching as a divine calling, a vital means through which truth and wisdom are passed from heart to heart.

Paul writes, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us... if your gift is teaching, then teach” (Romans 12:6–7). Teaching, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is far more than skill—it is revelation in service of others. The true Bible teacher has been entrusted with the ability to make God’s Word clear, communicating not opinions but “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

For pastors, this calling is essential: “The overseer must be... able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). They are commanded, “Teach these things” (1 Timothy 4:11), and instructed to pass on sound doctrine with care and precision: “Entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Teaching the truth is a stewardship—it is the holy duty of those deemed faithful.

The apostles saw their ministry as inseparable from teaching (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:11). Paul knew his commission came from heaven itself: “Of this gospel I was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher” (2 Timothy 1:11).

And above all stands Jesus, the Master Teacher. He is called Rabbi—the one who opened eyes and hearts (John 1:38; 3:2). His lessons were living parables: lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28), children in the marketplace (Luke 7:31–32), and the farmer scattering seed (Matthew 13). He taught on mountainsides and by the sea, through stories and questions, through mercy and rebuke. He gave assignments—“Go and learn what this means” (Matthew 9:13)—and checked their understanding later. His words pierced like light through darkness. Every truth He taught reflected the heart of the Father, unchanging and pure.

Throughout Scripture, the mantle of teacher rests on many shoulders: Moses (Deuteronomy 4:14), the Levitical priests (Leviticus 10:11), parents training children in God’s ways (Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 1:8), the apostles (Mark 6:30), even God Himself, who promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8).

Jesus taught that the goal of true instruction is likeness: “Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Therefore, whom we follow matters deeply—“If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Luke 6:39). A godly teacher produces godly disciples.

Yet the Bible warns that not all who teach speak truth. Hypocrites may say one thing and live another (Matthew 23:3; Romans 2:21), while false teachers twist the Word to their own gain (Acts 20:28–31; 1 Timothy 6:3–4). The apostle John commands, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). The sure test is whether a teaching aligns with Christ and the apostolic truth. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

One day, the work of teaching will be complete. Scripture foresees a time when “They shall not teach one another, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know Me” (Hebrews 8:11; Jeremiah 31:34). Then, in the presence of Christ, our partial knowledge will dissolve into perfect understanding—“We shall know fully, even as we are fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Until that day, we labor faithfully as students and teachers of the Word. For wisdom is life to the soul, and “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). As John Wesley wrote, “Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.” Knowledge alone cannot save, but truth taught in love transforms—and every true teacher leads their pupils closer to the heart of God.

What are the basics of Jesus' teaching?

What is a teaching pastor?

Is Kingdom Now teaching off or on Target? It's off! 

Is “name it claim it” teaching biblical? Nope!

When should women stop teaching males (boys) in a local church?

Much of what a false teacher teaches is true; it's that little bit of spiritual arsenic mixed in that can get ya. Chuck Smith Senior used to tell me that. 

Having a Conviction To Teach is from the Lord -- let him live BIG and STRONG in you believer. Be strong in the Word. "Be strong in the Lord" See Ephesians 6:10

Satan knows Scripture, but he aint' strong in it.. in the living Word -- he sure doesn't live it. He tempts people to sin using verses and partial verses. Always go check the context and see what part he is leaving out when he tempts you to go sin with it. 

Prayfully study truth. Teach Through the Word—Always, Faithfully, Boldly. Give People An Opportunity to Come Get Right with God. Cast a Net or Hook. I love Jesus, People and Expository Evangelism! 

Teaching the Bible as the Spirit leads - it's SO important! All believers need this. 

Teaching it is mainly for the saved, so they will choose to grow up in God's family. Yes, to spiritually mature in the Lord -- it's for the church and biblical discipleship, where preaching the Word is predominantly for the lost.

God stirred my heart in the Spring of 1977. Since then I have loved to hear preaching and to do it cuz God tells me to: “Preach the Word.” 

I was saved as a simple So Cal surfer. I’ve never wanted to become a polished or religious theologian, a polemicist, or an academician. My passion is knowing the Lord, walking with Him, pleasing Him and being fruitful while teaching and preaching the Word of God (being and giving witness of Jesus when it is right and appropriate). I want to know the Lord and make him known. I want to worship him acceptably. I want to understand what is biblical and what is not.. a little bit or a lot. All my concerns are people around me. Can we together walk with Christ biblical? Sure we can. My desire is to be biblical, passionate and accurate in all my teaching or preaching of the Word. All are to be witnesses of Jesus.

Bible Ministry (that M-word means service), it's never to be about some popularity contest. Aim to bless the Lord and minister to people in need. It is the solemn calling to guard, study, and proclaim the whole counsel of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2:15). I challenge you to verse by verse through all the Books if you live long enough.

Culture tempts us to entertain, console, or tickle ears—but Paul’s command is clear: preach faithfully, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Confront sin, call for repentance, encourage obedience, and do it with patience and care (1 Thessalonians 2:11).

Christ is the Stone of offense (Romans 9:33), and the cross may seem foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:23), yet the Word transforms lives. It convicts, corrects, trains, and restores. To soften it is to abandon the eternal for the temporal.

Be ready. Stand firm. Speak truth. Be ready to give a reason for your hope in and from God. Let the fire of God burn in your bones (Jeremiah 20:9). Teach the Word. Preach Christ crucified, not human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:2). Popularity fades, but the faithful Word changes eternity.

Why Faithfully Teach Through the Entire Bible? 

Ask yourself, is the lawn greening evenly, or are there weird spots, checks or stripes in God's lawn? The lawn needs proper feed - nutrients all over. People need what's in very book and verse of the Bible. We all need vitamins too. 

The Bible is far more than ink on pages—it is history, poetry, prophecy, science, and psychology woven into a single, divine narrative. Above all, it is a love story, revealing the heart of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate handbook for life, the compass for our souls, and the blueprint for a life that truly matters.

From the earliest days of my walk with the Lord, one phrase has stirred my heart: “Preach the Word.” Conscientiously teach the Word too (both can be done with one Bible message as you draw the net). You can do both in different ways even if you are not a full-time career preacher. 

Let your life consistently teach and preach the Word -- add words when it's right. Ask the Lord what text, when, and how? 

Ministry, in its purest form, is not about trends, popularity, or audience approval—it is about faithfully proclaiming God’s truth as He wants this done. Preach wordless with a good, kind spirit and attitude and give words too. As Paul instructed Timothy:

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2)

In our culture today, pastors face immense pressure to entertain, console, or psychologically coach rather than preach. People are offered devotional feel-good messages, stagecraft, and humor, while the uncompromising Word of God is sidelined. Yet Paul’s charge is clear: the church’s task is not to tickle ears but to confront hearts.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

There is no room for compromise. Preaching is not a popularity contest. It is about faithfulness, truth, and courage—even when it offends. Christ Himself is a stone of stumbling (Romans 9:33), and the message of the cross appears foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:23). Yet this Word transforms lives: it reproves, corrects, trains in righteousness, and exhorts (2 Timothy 3:16).

To teach faithfully, a minister must guard, study, and proclaim the Word on purpose. Paul calls this stewardship of the divine treasure:

"Retain the standard of sound words… Guard the treasure entrusted to you… Study to show yourself approved." (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:15)

A true teacher or preacher does not entertain people for applause or manipulate for influence. Ministers are not here to entertain. Don't do that unless you have a job to do that cleanly. Be a Christian witness first, one who walks with God and pleases Him like Enoch did. 

Paul taught and preached Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), the truth that convicts, comforts, corrects, and calls sinners to repentance. Faithful preaching balances the stern with the gentle: reproof and rebuke confront sin; exhortation encourages repentance (1 Thessalonians 2:11).

In today’s “market-driven” church culture, biblical truth often seems out of season. Yet Paul’s Greek word for “be ready” (ephistemi) captures the posture required—an eager, steadfast readiness to stand at one’s post, like a watchman, proclaiming the Word boldly. Jeremiah felt the same fire:

"But if I say, I will not mention Him, nor speak anymore in His name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." (Jeremiah 20:9)

The teacher's and preacher’s calling is urgent because people’s hearts are at stake, life here is brief, and Hell is real. A society that desires “ear-tickling” or watered-down messages will inevitably turn from truth away to myth (2 Timothy 4:4). Softening the message to gain comfort is spiritual malpractice. Christ did not water down the Law or the Prophets; neither should His messengers.

Faithful preaching demands courage, patience, and perseverance. It will offend. It will challenge. It will convict. But it also heals, restores, and equips. 

Teach the Bible. Why not do both? 

“Preach the Gospel as if every eye is watching, every ear is listening, and every heart depends upon it.” ~ Billy Graham 

Our ministry is simple in design but monumental in impact: guard the Word, study the Word, preach the Word. In all seasons, in every circumstance, let the Word of God shine uncompromised. Let it convict the guilty, encourage the weary, and call sinners to the cross. Our responsibility is not to be popular but faithful—because the stakes are eternal.

The Bible’s Uniqueness
Written over fifteen centuries by more than forty authors across three continents in three languages, the Bible never contradicts itself. From the opening words of Genesis to the triumphant vision in Revelation, its historical, moral, and theological threads form a seamless tapestry. John Stott once reflected, “The Bible is like a symphony: every instrument distinct, yet all playing the same melody.” Unlike any other book, it blends divine inspiration with human personality, shaping truth through the lens of real people living real lives.

God’s Inspired Word
Scripture was not mere human invention. God Himself guided its authors, breathing truth into every sentence (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Each writer, with his own temperament and perspective, became a vessel for God’s voice. As Chuck Smith Sr. often said, “God did not dictate a book; He inspired a life of testimony in the writers, and that testimony became His Word.”

- Teaching is mainly for feeding (not fleecing) the sheep.
- Preaching is largely for winning the lost.

"The purpose of preaching is not for the pastor’s benefit; it is not for the pastor to entertain; it is not for the pastor to testify of his Christian experience and personal life; it is not for the pastor to lecture or merely inform people about Biblical truth. It is not the public forum where the pastor can share himself or his ideas and opinions. This is not the setting where the pastor can impress others with his profound knowledge or oratory skills." - Chuck Smith Sr.

A Call to Study
If you are called to teach, to preach or to witness on a mission field or domestically.. locally as we all are called to do.. then you are called to study the Bible. 

The Bible is meant to be read, studied, and lived. Paul exhorted Timothy: “Study to show thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). Skimming a few verses is like trying to build a plane without following instructions—you might get something that looks right, but it won’t fly. The Bereans modeled this diligent pursuit, “searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Immersion in God’s Word is not optional; it is the lifeline for anyone serious about faith.

The Bible Teaches Us
Imagine assembling a complex machine without instructions. Chaos ensues. In the same way, only by following God’s instruction manual can we live as Christ intended. Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It trains our minds, molds our hearts, and transforms our character so that we reflect the image of Jesus in every choice, word, and action.

The Bible Brings Hope
Romans 15:4 reminds us that Scripture was written for our learning, offering patience, comfort, and hope. In a world where despair stalks daily headlines, the Bible reminds us that life is more than mere survival. It paints a portrait of God’s promises, of life beyond the grave, and of a personal relationship with our Creator. As hymn writer Fanny Crosby beautifully captured, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done,” Scripture fills our hearts with confidence that God’s plan for us is bigger than our setbacks.

The Bible Provides Direction
Darkness is disorienting. Without a light, even a small step can lead to a fall. God’s Word serves as that light: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). It steers us away from folly, guides us toward wisdom, and keeps our hearts aligned with truth. Today’s world tempts shortcuts, but Scripture shows that safety, righteousness, and clarity come only through obedience.

Why Systematic Teaching Matters
Teaching the Bible systematically—book by book, chapter by chapter—is not mere tradition; it is a strategic way to immerse people in God’s full counsel. Barna Group research shows that Christians who study Scripture consistently are far more likely to grow in faith, resist cultural drift, and disciple others. Jesus said it plainly: “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). We cannot grasp His truth through fragments alone.

A Life Transformed
When we internalize Scripture, it reshapes us. Our thinking, our priorities, our relationships—all are realigned. The Psalmist captured this transformation: “I have hidden Thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). Studying and teaching the Bible is not merely an intellectual thaaang—it is to be profoundly practical, impactxing, spiritual, soul-saving, a sanctifying and redemptive work.

Before you minister God’s word, pray and live it. Come apart with God before you come apart.


Mark 6:34 - Jesus' life here - it was one prayer time to another and excellent authoritative teaching with miracles happened in-between.


Be careful not to dismiss the people before you have an eternal truth (Scripture) conversation with them. Come to Jesus right here and now. Is there anything reasonable that would prevent you from turning to Him by?


Believers rapid-cycle, don't devolve in the flesh. Live Spirit reliant, draw upon Him. Lean into Him.


You can't gorge yourself on the truth of the word on Sundays and then fast spiritually all week long and expect to grow well fast. Your healthy church might have other Bible teaching services. Prayerfully feed and teach yourself (and family) in the word daily.


Jesus taught, and fitting Christian quotes highlighting the beauty and authority of His teaching ministry:


Where are Some Places in the Bible that We See Jesus Taught?


Matthew 4:23 – “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness..”


*  "Jesus’ ministry was one of word and deed—He taught the truth and then touched the broken." — Warren Wiersbe


Matthew 5:1–2 – “And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: and He opened His mouth, and taught them…”


*  "The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest teaching ever delivered by the greatest Teacher who ever lived." — John Stott


Matthew 9:35 – “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…”


*  "Christ’s teaching was not confined to pulpits—it went wherever the people were." — Charles Spurgeon


Matthew 11:1 – “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.”


*  "A true shepherd never stops teaching; he goes where the sheep wander." — D. L. Moody


Matthew 13:54 – “And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished…”


*  "The people heard the voice of One whose words were light and life." — E.G. White


Mark 1:21–22 – “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”


*  "Christ did not borrow authority; He possessed it." — R. C. Sproul


Mark 10:1 – “And He arose from thence… and again the people resort unto Him; and, as He was wont, He taught them again.”


*  "Teaching was not a momentary act in Jesus—it was His holy habit." — A. W. Tozer


Luke 4:15 – “And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.”


*  "When the Lord teaches, hearts burn and eyes are opened." — Oswald Chambers


Luke 5:3 – “And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”


*  "From a fishing boat, He launched the greatest truths the world has ever heard." — F. B. Meyer


Luke 6:6 – “And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that He entered into the synagogue and taught…”


*  "Jesus sanctified ordinary places by His extraordinary presence." — Vance Havner


Luke 11:1 – “And it came to pass, that, as He was praying.. one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray.” (always see the context)


*  "The greatest request ever made to the greatest Teacher was, ‘Teach us to pray.’" — Andrew Murray


John 6:59 – “These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.”


*  "Christ’s words feed souls as bread feeds bodies." — Matthew Henry

John 7:14–16 – “Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught… Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is n

ot mine, but His that sent me.”


*  "The authority of Jesus’ teaching came not from man’s schools, but from Heaven’s throne." — John MacArthur


John 18:20 – “Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret have I said nothing.”


*  "Christ’s teaching was transparent truth—nothing hidden, nothing deceitful." — Billy Graham

In Short, what can I say about God's love letter (the Bible) to Christians?

  • The Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant, uniquely harmonious Word (all through the Book. Sin is sin in every book, righteousness is too).

  • It demands diligent study, not superficial reading.

  • It teaches, (God does this) corrects, and transforms us.

  • It fills us with hope (God does this) and gives life direction.

  • Systematic teaching ensures we receive the full counsel of God.

“God’s Word is not just truth to believe—it is life to be lived.” ~ John Piper 

To teach through the entire Bible is to open hearts to God’s voice, to equip disciples, and to illuminate a world desperate for clarity, hope, and love.

One needs to live the life first. 

A WELL-LIVED LIFE IS BUILT ON A GOOD REPUTATION, THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WISDOM, FAITHFULNESS, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME OUR WAY. ~ Greg Laurie

"Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people."  Acts 6:8

Righteous Teachers of Scripture in the Bible

1. Moses

  • Role: Lawgiver, prophet, teacher of Israel’s covenant.

  • Bible Reference: Deuteronomy 4:5 – “See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

2. Bezalel and Aholiab

  • Role: Craftsmen gifted with wisdom to teach and execute God’s design for the tabernacle.

  • Bible Reference: Exodus 35:30–35 – “And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “God equips those He calls; the Spirit’s wisdom makes the teacher perfect in the craft of instruction.” – Adapted from Charles Spurgeon

3. Samuel

  • Role: Prophet and teacher; guided kings and people in righteousness.

  • Bible Reference: 1 Samuel 12:23 – “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “The heart of a teacher is more precious than the knowledge he imparts.” – John Calvin

4. David

  • Role: Psalmist and spiritual teacher; modeled devotion and obedience.

  • Bible Reference: 1 Chronicles 28:9–21 – David instructs Solomon to build the temple and follow God’s statutes.

  • It's been said. Quote: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; teaching is the melody of God’s heart.” – Psalm 19:7

5. Solomon

  • Role: King and teacher of wisdom; author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes.

  • Bible Reference: 1 Kings 4:29–34 – Solomon “spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7

6. Ezra

  • Role: Scribe, priest, and teacher; restored Israel’s devotion to the Law.

  • Bible Reference: Ezra 7:10 – “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.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “A faithful teacher trains others to stand on God’s Word, not merely admire it.” – Matthew Henry

7. Jesus Christ

  • Role: The ultimate Teacher of Scripture and truth.

  • Bible Reference: Ephesians 4:20–21 – “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; whoever follows My teaching will never walk in darkness.” – John 14:6

8. Barnabas

  • Role: Encourager and teacher; strengthened new believers.

  • Bible Reference: Acts 9:26–30 – Introduced Paul to the apostles and taught courage in faith.

  • It's been said. Quote: “Encouragement is the vital breath of teaching; without it, knowledge fails to take root.” – St. Augustine

9. Gamaliel

  • Role: Rabbi and teacher of the Law; instructed Apollos.

  • Bible Reference: Acts 18:26 – “He explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “The humble teacher leads others into truth, not into himself.” – Adapted from R.C. Sproul

10. Paul

  • Role: Apostle and teacher; instructed churches in Scripture and doctrine.

  • Bible References: Acts 13:1, Acts 19:9 – Taught boldly, reasoning in synagogues.

  • It's been said. Quote: “The mark of a great teacher is to make others see the truth clearly and lit.” – John Stott

11. Priscilla and Aquve iila

  • Role: Teachers and mentors; corrected and instructed Apollos privately.

  • Bible Reference: Acts 18:26 – “He [Apollos] was instructed in the way of God more accurately by them.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “God’s servants teach with humility, shaping hearts more than words.” – Watchman Nee

12. Apollos

  • Role: Powerful teacher of Scripture; taught accurately about Jesus.

  • Bible Reference: Acts 18:24–26 – “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “A true teacher is one who points the way, not himself.” – John MacArthur

13. Timothy

  • Role: Disciple and pastor; taught sound doctrine to believers in our outside local churches.

  • Bible References: 1 Timothy 1:3 – “Stay in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines.” 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”

  • It's been said. Quote: “A faithful servant teaches what he lives, not merely what he knows.” – Billy Graham

14. Titus

  • Role: Church leader and instructor; disciplined and nurtured believers.

  • Bible Reference: Titus 2:1–15 – Instructed all age groups in godly living.

  • It's been said. Quote: “The goal of teaching is maturity in Christ, not admiration for the teacher.” – John Wesley

Want to visit: Kurt W. von Schleicher at 12:48 PM View Comments

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Walkin' Through the Graying Years with the Lord Who Daily Renews. God loves Older Men and Older Women -- He has a Good Plan for Each.

Make every moment, every day, and every remaining year count for Christ. Yes, embrace Him, His overall purpose and His specific will for you. What He's doing in your life is good cuz He is. Be sure to say thank you for all the blessings throughout the years.

You and I deal with reality here, and we can do that with a laser focus primarily on Christ the whole way through. We can serve Him and others ..even by prayer.

You know, living daily in His winsome presence, forgiven is the greatest blessing. Living all out for Jesus, who is the Truth if from His free grace as well.

Accept Him and your purpose here, rather than trying to fight the ongoing process of this life in a fallen setting.

I choose to view life's purpose in Christ as being well, clearly proclaiming and living by divine Scriptural truth well. He can help with that, with continued ministry and service as a fulfilling goal, even through these later years. Do you view it this way too?

I pray for my parents daily; they have more to contend with as they pray their way through.

"The most important thing we can do is tell the truth boldly." ~ Charlie Kirk

Of course, there's a timing and tone for that. My gaze out of these same two windows looks as lovely as it always has. Hasn’t changed. 

Gray hairs.. I don't mind em at all cuz I'm a guy. I’ve always felt like the same age inside. My voice hasn't ever changed.. I think. I’m still the same man I was at eighteen (and that was a really good year. Got a second chance at life when I didn't deserve it), I'm still my dad and mother’s son with three brothers that I like. Got an excellent wife.. I like far more.


I kept waiting to feel old one day like they say happens, but it never really happened. Sure. I get sore when I walk over 12 miles or so around DC and elsewhere but doesn't everybody?


Of course, the body weakens, the fall in the garden really happened, the energy will eventually fade, and some people's memory slips at times — but deep inside here, nothing has changed. This person, me, hasn't always been in existence, but I was born.. twice.. and inside I never seem to grow old. Grateful to God! I wish we'd all been or be ready.


"Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once" ~ Martin Luther


You know there are two types of death for people (physical and spiritual).


- Born once, die twice: Talkin' about a person who experiences only a physical birth. They will die physically, and then face a "second death," which is spiritual death and eternal separation from God in He-double-hockey-sticks. You know of the place.

- Born twice, die once: Talkin' about a person who has a physical birth and also a spiritual (second) "birth" via true repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ. This person will die physically, but they will not have to face the second death, as they have received eternal life.

Be ready for what is ahead.. as we walk with the Lord. Our bodies do age (that's reality, but you don't have to have that old mentality). Our inner human spirits remain young, believer. Renewed like the eagle soaring upwards because we wait and not just the wait to wait -- His mercies are new every morning. The soul doesn’t wrinkle or fade.


Let's remember when we speak with someone older than us, remember this — inside, they’re still basically that same person, full of dreams and laughter. People can be won at any age.


No matter how many years pass by, all people need the same things: God's agape love,.mercy, understanding, more grace (so they'll choose never to get grumpy, gripy and bitter).. having a reason (with real purpose) to keep going forward.

“Who can live and not see death, or save themselves from the power of the grave?” — Psalm 89:48

I remember a magazine called LIFE. In it, they once asked, “Can we stop aging?”

You know how Science may stretch our years a pinch, but only God can stretch their meaning gobs. The real question is not Can we live longer? ..but Are we living (spiritually) well?

Our lives tell stories—each of us a walking parable. What will your life tell? 

Some stories are marked by broken beginnings and divine redemptions. Mine is simple: God took a mess in Dana Point, a party animal of sorts that felt sick of my sin, and made it a message. That’s what grace in Christ does for people like me. “He makes all things new” (Revelation 21:5). He gave me a second chance at life. 

Every soul should pause and ask, What story am I really telling? What legacy am I really leaving? 

Evangelist Billy Graham once said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on is not money or material things, but a legacy of character and faith.” Life’s brevity demands honest reflection—whether young or gray-haired, we’re basically writing tomorrow’s testimony today.

It's been said: Youth charts the course; age hopefully reveals the path. The morning of your life determines the evening of it. It can, so form good habits and disciplines in a relationship with Christ right now—daily Bible study, candid prayer, regular church and small group fellowship, witnessing of how wonderful God is—and the Trinity will carry you through the later storms. Barna Research found that 64% of Christians who remain strong in faith as adults established spiritual disciplines before age 18. Early roots make lasting fruit.

As medical science and new meds with exercise and a decent diet add years to our lives, Christ alone adds life to our years. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Life to the full and then unending. Aging doesn’t stop that abundance—it only deepens it.

I’ve looked through the same two windows for decades now (eyes are gifts), and though the face in the reflection grows older, the soul behind it sure hasn’t aged a day. 

My hair grays, my steps still with a really fast tempo.. not slower, and the man inside—the one redeemed at eighteen when I didn’t even deserve it—still feels pretty young. My voice may tremble, but my heart still sings, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, who renews your youth like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5).

Sure, muscles do ache for a time, and they say that memory fades. I still carry heavy things..that's why the soreness. 

That’s merely the curse stemming from Eden’s fall in the garden. But inside me, something eternal lives on. My regenerated human spirit--it used to be deader than dead! 

The body will decay one day, yet “the inner man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). The soul never wrinkles on the beach sand under the IRs and UV rays. Heaven’s breath keeps it fresh.

Hey, I encourage you today. It might seem like you've become more invisible, but God sees you. You matter to Him. 

When you meet an elderly saint (or perhaps one not yet a saint), remember this—inside that frail frame still beats the laughter of youth with dreams of a heart that never stopped hoping.. or say most of their hopes are gone..or all hope seems far away with the dreams as well.. cuz they've been crushed by mean people or life's tough circumstances. 

Hope with the blessings can all be quickened again.. just like Christ physically coming out of that dank tomb. It happened, and it can happen again for you. Pray through! 

When you meet some one fairly old.. and then you find out they are some years younger than you.. listen well, hear their heart, and minister to them. Tell them about who cares--Jesus. No one outgrows the need for love, mercy, and future purpose. They may walk slower, but their spirit still longs for closeness with God.. and desires to leap and run.

Remember Amazing Grace? John Newton wrote that, and near the end of his life, said:

“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.”

He and His promises never grow old. He never changes. He and His Words are never obsolete. 

Not everyone has the privilege of growing old or gaining gray hair on top. The Lord knows the number of those you've dyed redish.

So, don’t fear those gray-headed years. We see chaos and confusion around us today, but don't have to become a part of all that. 

Let the gray become your crown of wisdom -- ask for God's type of wisdom.

"The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31 amp

Walk into the future holding the hand that has held you thus far, believer. He's been there all along -- Jesus didn't ditch and forsake you. His mercies really are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23. Appropriate His grace and gifts.. by faith). His love doesn’t fade with time—it just ripens.

As the old lyrics go,

“Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”

Lord, make my life a prayer to You, make my life acceptable worship unto You. Make my life an altar call..again and again and again. Give me a harvest for You. Please do.. use us while we have breath. 

Let your life be like that too—young or old—tell your own story of faith for His glory. Let your life point people to Jesus Christ when you can, the One who conquers weakness, aches, death and gives eternal life. He gives us youth in the heart as well. He is not just the Author of your story (let Him be); He is the One who guarantees its glorious ending.. like with his Book. Victorious! 


Want to visit: Kurt W. von Schleicher at 11:27 AM View Comments

Monday, October 13, 2025

Sup with Autodidacticism? That was what Charlie Kirk was about. He was a self taught learner and you can be too.

"I sat alone beneath the stars,
My Bible open wide;
No teacher there but God Himself,
His Spirit was my guide.

No classroom walls, no formal-learning halls,
Just whispers from above;
The truest school of all the saints
Is tutored directly by His love."

Over the years, we heard Charlie teach us to learn away from all the jacked-up bias in a quiet time. Not for just knowing (having a swelled head), but on purpose and for a great purpose. The greatest of them all!

Yesterday, Charlie's widow Erika Kirk (who loves the truth as well) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on behalf of Charlie. It's cuz both have been learners of what's really so.. because both have been wise doers of it too.

Are you blessed to see that merely self-terminate upon you.. or blessed to become a blessing like they have been for so many?

May I challenge you to be that way, to live red-hot-spiritually like the Kirks.

Charlie worked hard to learn the truth, yet apart from formal education, as a genuine autodidact. Then he lived it and pushed back against the corrupt, politicized credential educational system, which he rightfully called a rip-off scam.

Charlie was first spiritual and then political (both, not spiritually compromising). The whole world has seen how he leaned into his relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who taught him in the quiet. He leaned strongly on things far more dangerous to those on the Left, too: real facts, hard data, and critical non-clonely-thinking.

Aristotle encouraged that all men would seek to know what's so (real and true).

In his heart, Charlie believed that college students and other young adults today, deep down, longed to know and fully understand things with the best type of wisdom. Isn't it time for you and me to get taught by the best Teacher?

Like the Bereans, I say we study and read the great old writings like those from Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine. I say we start with the greatest of old Books in the home and then in the schools again -- the Bible.

Kids in college should indeed be there to understand the Scriptures (for it's real history), and in the light of holy writ, then wrestle with ancient philosophy to become a well-rounded US citizen. Charlie taught this!

All that is good ("all the councils of God" ), true, noble, and beautiful, even studying religious freedom in the United States. Study the Constitution -- it's unlike anything else. Charlie made all ages want to give it a go here, along with the framers, and American founders. Over the years, Charlie rightly made us want to love this country (that not even the enemies of this Land want to leave.

Factoid: Divinely inspired Freedom cannot coexist without godly virtue -- he often spoke about morality, family, and pure virtue! You cannot have a free Society if you do not have a society that values the God of the Bible. Charlie loved the Lord most, and he loved to learn as an autodidact — a self-taught man, taught from the Son of Man first.

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:29-30

- Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you".
- Psalm 25:4-5: The psalmist asks God to "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me".
- Proverbs 1:7: This verse states that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction".
- Isaiah 2:3: This prophecy speaks of a time when people will go to the temple of the God of Jacob and "He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths".
- Jeremiah 31:33-34: This passage prophesies a new covenant where God's law will be within people and "they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest".

Hey, You've Got This! You Can Be A Self-Taught Learner While Being Taught By The God Of The Bible

That's not a stretch to say that. The Lord totally delights in His kids who sit at His feet, learning not from people first.. not from man’s institutions first, but from the gentle whispers of His Spirit. These self-taught learners were not rebels against Authority or wisdom — they were lovers of Truth, whose hearts became classrooms of old revelation. You and I don't need any new revelation..illumination, sure. If it's new it ain't true, if it's true it ain't new. 

God is NOT giving new revelation(s) today:

• The canon of Scripture is closed all the way; it's completed, done. Revelation 22:18 warns against adding to the words of the prophecy in the Bible.

• Jesus is the final and complete revelation of God. Hebrews 1:2 makes it clear that God has spoken definitively through His Son.

• The apostles were uniquely chosen to lay the foundation of the church. Ephesians 2:20 says the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” We don’t believe that, 2,000 years later, God is still laying the foundation.

• New revelation would imply that Scripture is insufficient. But 2 Timothy 3:17 says Scripture equips us for every good work.

• Modern claims of revelation often contradict Scripture. God does not contradict Himself (Numbers 23:19).

This does not mean that God is silent today. He still loves you! He still speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand and wisely apply it (too many foolishly apply it--you've known some). God is working. He is active and present in the lives of His children, He is not giving out new revelation(s) today in the form of new Scripture or authoritative (ie, verbal or ex cathedra) messages equal to the Bible. The Bible is complete, sufficient, and final. Our responsibility is not to seek new revelation, but to faithfully study, obey, and proclaim the revelation God has already given.

* Were There Old Testament Autodidacts?

Abraham – The man who heard God in the silence of the stars. With no scroll, synagogue, or rabbi, he learned faith through walking with God.

“Abraham believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” — Genesis 15:6
“Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing Who holds the future.” — Corrie ten Boom

Job – Schooled by suffering, Job found wisdom not in lecture halls but in the storm.

“Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” — Job 28:28
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” — C.S. Lewis

David – Alone with his sheep, his harp, and his God, David became Israel’s theologian through prayer, music, and meditation.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” — Psalm 119:97
“I would rather be in the wilderness with God than in a palace without Him.” — Charles Spurgeon

Solomon – Though king, he sought truth by observing creation — a student of ants, lilies, and life itself.

“I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 1:13

Amos – A simple shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees, called to speak thunder to kings.

“I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman... and the LORD took me.” — Amos 7:14–15
“It is not the learned, but the yielded, who are used of God.” — Vance Havner

Daniel – Though trained in Babylon, his revelation came from personal study and prayer. He “understood by the books” the prophecy of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).

“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him.” — Psalm 25:14

* Were There New Testament Autodidacts?

Jesus – The living Word who studied the written Word. Even as a boy, He amazed scholars though He had no formal teacher.

“How does this man know letters, having never learned?” — John 7:15
“Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens My ear to hear as those who are taught.” — Isaiah 50:4
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking with God.” — Nietzsche (redeemed perspective)

Peter, John, and the Apostles – Fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men taught in the school of Christ.

“They perceived they were unlearned and ordinary men, but they marveled because they had been with Jesus.” — Acts 4:13
“An education without God is like a ship without a compass.” — D.L. Moody

Paul – Though learned under Gamaliel, Paul became self-taught in the Spirit during his years of solitude in Arabia.

“I did not receive it from any man... but by revelation of Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 1:12
“When the Bible becomes the Holy Spirit’s classroom, every desert becomes a university.” — A.W. Tozer

Timothy – Was actually mentored by his family with the Scriptures, not in some monastery or seminary.

“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures.” — 2 Timothy 3:15

Apollos – A passionate autodidact who learned more perfectly the way of the Lord through personal study and godly correction (Acts 18:24–26).

“He who ceases to be a student ceases to be a servant.” — Prof. Howard Hendricks (what a privilege to attend Swidoll's Frisco church with his hero. Small h.)

Hey, I won't pedestalize Charlie (he wouldn't want that. He only did that by exalting Jesus), but Charlie had a near encyclopedic memory that he put to use for seed planting and reaping. Didn't you for years enjoy seeing him pull statistics in a sec, and history, or policy details right out of thin air.. it seemed. Then he'd use them in real time against his opponent-debaters (not to hurt any, but to help people).

That’s why so many determined hard hearts hated to debate him, but they kept going up front to do just that.. dialoge. Man, so many were so ill-equipped with partial truths and lies from their professors.

I'm not saying that Charlie merely parroted talking points. He knew this stuff deep in his heart and actually lived accordingly with an upbeat attitude.

Hey, Charlie's primary Hero and heroes in the Bible can be excellent examples for you as well! Dig in.

"Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin. Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness." 2 Timothy 2:15

Be encouraged to effectively study the Scriptures on your own. I mean if you are not led to go pay for formal theological seminary training (God and His specific will for you matters). You can learn by a consistent, deliberate process of observation, interpretation, waiting in prayer, and wise application.

Yes, humbly, start with candid prayer. Recognizing your dependence on God's guidance is the most crucial part of personal Bible study. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and to illuminate what God wants you to grasp and clearly understand.

Focus on Jesus. Zero in on understanding God and His holy nature (yes, the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit is key), not just on personal application alone. While wisely applying Scripture to your life is a top goal, it is important to first focus on what the text reveals about God's character and purposes. Your relationship with Him who is truth matters most!

Doing this prevents you from simply seeking to confirm what you already believe.

Read all around in the passage context. A single verse alone should never be read in isolation and made into a doctrine. That's how cults start.

Always consider its simple meaning in the context of the surrounding verses, the chapter, the book, and the entire Bible. Understanding the historical and cultural context of the original readers is also a key.

You and I really don't need more religion; from the inside, we need God to rule without rival. Be willing to spend time alone and throughout your whole day in contact with Christ. He is SO WONDERFUL. He is your first-love--know Him well!

Deep biblical insight doesn't always just pop up from some quick, superficial reading. Diligence, concentration, and some patience in wrestling with the text can be very rewarding.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 nkjv

Q: Historically, who were God’s effective teachers? 1.) The Holy Spirit. 2.) They were His most humble, diligent, righteous students — learning in caves, deserts, prisons, and out in the fields.

I say, if God calls you to witness (that's for all believers), teach, preach, then guess what.. He also calls you to pray and study the Bible.

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130

“When God teaches a man, he learns more on his knees than in ten thousand books.” (sm b) — Charles Spurgeon

Jesus said, "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God'". John 6:45

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54:13

Q: So how does God teach truth to believers today? He does that directly through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We all need forgiveness. Don't let sin reign or Him remain outside of you. The Bible says, "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him".

Homiletics – is that something good? 

What does the Bible say about altar calls? Are altar calls biblical?

What is biblical hermeneutics?

What is an effective altar call?

What is a good process for preparing a sermon?

What is homiletics? 

How can I understand the Bible?

What is the law of first mention?

What is good biblical exegesis?

How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today?

Jesus equips the called.

Yep, instead of calling those already totally equipped. It's powerful to simply read the Scriptures and get well-equipped. Remember back in the day, during a temple repair time? The high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. It had been lost for years! The Book was read, and then what happened?

King Josiah was so impacted inside! He was SO struck by God's words that he tore his clothes in sorrow and fear, realizing how far the people had strayed away from God's commands. There is great profit in simply reading the Scriptures. The reading there resulted in revival!

King Josiah called the people all together, then shared God's law with them, and this led them in a movement to tear down all the idols and altars to false gods throughout the whole land.

The repentant people joined in a covenant with God, and these reforms from Josiah led to a significant turning point in the history of the kingdom of Judah.

Do you have a hardened heart or a soft heart today? When you read the "Book of the Law," is your heart also moved to repentance? It should.
We don't merely study God's word to know more. We do this so that we can be changed inside and live obediently, thus glorifying the Lord.
This revival is described in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. Their repenting turned into a healthy destruction of idols—sparking a widespread return to acceptable worship of God.

After studying.. the lifelong learner (Charlie), used his Socratic Method in public. Instead of just lecturing young folks or talking down to them, he always showed respect while asking them questions.

He forced students across the USA to think on their own--to walk through their own logic step by step. Then Charlie exposed the contradictions gently, not by screaming at them, but by calmly letting them tie themselves into knots with their own words. Was there some peer pressure there to debate well for them?
I'm not sure what they were feeling, but that’s real debate that happened. That’s real education outside that didn't happen so much inside the walls.

Charlie wasn't there to impress anyone. He was there to please the Lord and plant some seeds. He wasn’t there to “own” people, like for the sake of a viral clip — he showed them that thinking critically with earnestness is the only way to truth. That's why the Left really feared him. With these words, I simply want to challenge you here to honestly study on your own, and get closer to the Lord as Charlie did. Your life can also make an impact for the next generation.

Like Mr. Kirk did, you too can effectively learn in your quiet time. Yes, largely on your own with the same Book from the Holy Spirit leading you, Christian. I mean outside of and beyond formal education (but not outside of studying truth) — it's called being an autodidact.

  • Autodidacticism (that's the informal process or practice of being self-taught, self-educated) 

Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Whether or not he had James 3:13 in mind, his words carry the scent of Scripture: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”

Understanding God’s ways isn’t a casual discovery—it’s a sacred pursuit. It comes through prayer, meditation on His Word, and the refining fires of experience. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know much and are all the greater fools for it. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

Scripture reminds us that this journey is lifelong. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). When God grants you insight, it’s natural to want to pass it on—especially to those closest to you. But knowing what to say is only half the lesson; knowing when and how to say it is the other half.

James makes it SO plain: wisdom is proven in humility and godly living, not in eloquent speech. A. W. Tozer wrote, “Humility is not a grace that can be learned in the classroom; it must be learned in the closet, in the secret place where we meet God.” Without humility, even true wisdom can sound like arrogance.

Older saints often feel the pull to share “how it used to be,” but hearts are rarely softened by lectures—they’re softened by love. Know the word well and live it.. and then make the word well known. Francis of Assisi put it, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”

So before you speak, bow your heart low. Listen deeply. When you listen, you learn—not just facts, but souls. You begin to understand what pain shaped their responses, what hope keeps them holding on, what fears keep them guarded.

When humility rules your heart, your words will carry heaven’s weight. You’ll speak not to impress but to bless; not to be heard, but to help. As Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.”

In the end, wisdom that listens before it speaks, that serves before it teaches, and that loves before it leads—that is the kind that reflects Christ Himself, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

If you haven't already, start with this old Book -- the Bible

  • Be diligent: Apply consistent effort and industry to your study of the scriptures.
  • Use proper hermeneutics: This refers to the principles of correct biblical interpretation to ensure you are understanding the text properly.
  • Follow the example of other faithful believers: The apostle Paul is instructing Timothy, and the principle extends to all believers today who follow Christ.
  • Pray through, allowing the Holy Spirit to assist: Yes, indeed. The Holy Spirit of God loves you, and He comes alongside if ya will to help believers in this process.
What Are Some Benefits?
  • Spiritual growth in the Word: It helps believers mature in their faith, grow closer to God, and become more Christ-like.
  • Discernment from the Spirit: It equips believers to distinguish truth from error and false teachings.
  • Effective horizontal ministry: This type of study prepares you and I to be better witnesses and "workmen" for God in the chaotic world.

"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13

You and I want soft-compassionate-hearts, not hard-caloused-hearts, keen minds, consistency in our we enjoy the Lord and victory. We want God's free grace daily to serve him well.. not spiritually sick. Now compile an exhaustive list of great Christian quotes, Bible verses on gaining understanding and truthful insight acquisition for the purpose of better knowing and following God


Prayerfully beself-taught—an autodidact—actually fits well with the biblical theme of seeking wisdom directly from God, not merely through man-made systems. Here are a few fitting verses and quotes:

self-taught—an autodidact—actually fits well with the biblical theme of seeking wisdom directly from God, not merely through man-made systems. Here are a few fitting verses and quotes:

* God Has Said On This:

  • James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

  • Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

  • Psalm 119:99–100 – “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have kept Your precepts.”

  • John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…”

* What Have Other Christians Said About This Stuff:

  • “Education without the Bible is useless.” — Noah Webster

  • “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” — Mark Twain, often used by Christian educators to stress lifelong learning.

  • “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” — D.L. Moody

  • “He who is taught by God cannot be misled by men.” — A.W. Tozer

  • “The true university of these days is a collection of books.” — Thomas Carlyle

In a biblical sense, the autodidact who studies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit becomes, as Isaiah 54:13 says, “taught by the Lord.”

Would you like me to reframe this as a short devotional reflection you could share or teach from?

Bible verses on knowledge & godly wisdom (Scripture first, short note second)

  1. Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Foundational principle.)

  2. Proverbs 2:6 — “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Source of wisdom.)

  3. Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… he will make your paths straight.” (Wisdom applied in life.)

  4. Proverbs 4:7 — “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom; though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Pursue wisdom with zeal.)

  5. Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Knowledge tied to reverence for God.)

  6. Proverbs 16:16 — “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Value of wisdom.)

  7. Psalm 111:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” (Practical wisdom.)

  8. Psalm 119:97–104 — Several verses about delighting in God’s law and gaining understanding. (“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies.”)

  9. Job 28:28 — “And he said to the human race, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” (Wisdom’s true measure.)

  10. James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Ask God for wisdom.)

  11. James 3:13–18 — Contrast earthly wisdom and wisdom from above (peacemaking, purity). (Moral quality of godly wisdom.)

  12. 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 (esp. vv. 24, 30) — Christ is wisdom and righteousness for us. (Christocentric wisdom.)

  13. Colossians 2:2–3 — “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Christ as the storehouse of true knowledge.)

  14. 1 Corinthians 2:6–16 — Spiritual wisdom revealed by the Spirit; human wisdom insufficient without the Spirit. (Role of the Spirit in understanding.)

  15. Ephesians 1:17–18 — Paul prays for Spirit-given wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. (Prayer for illumination.)

  16. John 14:26 — The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to remembrance what Jesus said. (The Spirit as teacher.)

  17. Luke 2:46–52 — Young Jesus “increased in wisdom and in stature.” (Example of growth.)

  18. Matthew 11:29 — “Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart…” (Jesus as teacher.)

  19. Matthew 7:24–27 — Parable of the wise and foolish builders — wisdom must be lived. (Applied wisdom.)

  20. Hebrews 4:12 — The word of God is living and discerning — it judges thoughts and intentions. (Scripture’s power in illuminating truth.)

  21. Ecclesiastes 1:18 — “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (A sober note on knowledge.)

  22. Proverbs 18:15 — “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Active pursuit.)

  23. Proverbs 15:14 — “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge…” (Hungry for truth.)

  24. Psalm 25:4–5 — “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.” (Prayer for guidance.)

  25. Psalm 119:66, 104, 130 — Requests and results of God’s instruction and the opening of understanding.

  26. 2 Timothy 2:7 — “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (Meditation + reliance on the Lord.)

  27. Proverbs 1:5 — “Let the wise hear and increase in learning…” (Continual growth.)

  28. Acts 17:11 — The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify teaching. (Model for discerning students.)

  29. Philippians 1:9–10 — Prayer for knowledge and discernment leading to approval and fruitfulness.

  30. Romans 11:33–36 — Depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge — worshipful response.

God aids self-study and learning in His Book. He gives knowledge with godly wisdom if you're receptive. 

  1. A. W. Tozer — “He who is taught by God cannot be misled by men.” (On divine instruction over human opinion.) 

  2. D. L. Moody — “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” (Learning that changes character.)

  3. C. S. Lewis — “You can make men wiser by giving them information, but you cannot make them wise by giving them information alone.” (Distinction between information and wisdom.)

  4. John Calvin — “True wisdom is... a knowledge of the immutable Father.” (Calvin’s emphasis: wisdom rooted in God.)

  5. Charles H. Spurgeon — “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” (On the centrality of Scripture to growing in truth.)

  6. Oswald Chambers — “It is only as we note the sinfulness of our sin and the awfulness of it, do we become saved men.” (Chambers often links knowledge of God and holy living.)

  7. Jonathan Edwards — “The way to glory is by Christ the Redeemer; it is practical holiness, not speculative knowledge, that will fit us for heaven.” (Faith that leads to holy living.)

  8. Francis Schaeffer — “The only true basis for human rights is the fact that God is the Creator of man.” (Schaeffer on knowledge leading to worldview.)

  9. John Henry Newman — “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” (Learning as transformation.)

  10. Thomas Aquinas — “Beware the man of a single book.” (Value of breadth in learning — often quoted by Christian scholars.)

  11. Watchman Nee — “Many Christians have not a living faith; they have a system of doctrine.” (Heart knowledge vs. head knowledge.)

  12. Corrie ten Boom — “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” (Practical wisdom applied to life.)

  13. John Piper — “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” (A foundational motive for learning and worship.)

  14. J. I. Packer — “Knowledge of God is the beginning of true knowledge.” (Core Packer theme — theological knowing.)

  15. R. C. Sproul — “Theology is worship.” (Learning as an act of worship and reverence.)'

We can pray for others to acquire God's wisdom, knowledge and understanding to, and He delights to give these to anyone if they are humble and receptive. He is thrilled to bless His children. 

Here are 5 Points To Process Truth Inside 

  • Main Source: Let it be God, for he is the giver of life and wisdom (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5).

  • Means: Scripture and the Holy Spirit are primary teachers (John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12).

  • Practice: Godly wisdom is not only information but obedience and application (Matthew 7:24–27; James 3:13–18).

  • Posture: Humilty in the holy fear of the Lord + honesty = the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10).

  • Goal: A soft heart of meekness. Knowledge rightly acquired leads to transformation and worship (Romans 11:33–36; D.L. Moody quote).

Let's all Desire To Know What's So and Go. Let's Desire Godly Wisdom with the Lord's Type of Understanding

* I Pray We'll Gain More Understanding with Spiritual Insight on Purpose and for His  Purpose. 

  • Psalm 119:18 — “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.”

  • Proverbs 2:2–5 — “Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding... then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

  • Psalm 25:4–5 — “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me.”

  • Psalm 119:34 — “Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart.”

  • Proverbs 18:15 — “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”

  • Job 32:8 — “But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.”

  • Psalm 119:73 — “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.”

* 2. The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Illuminator

  • John 14:26 — “The Helper, the Holy Spirit... will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

  • 1 Corinthians 2:12–13 — “We have received... the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”

  • 1 John 2:27 — “The anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.”

  • Ephesians 1:17–18 — “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ... may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.”

  • John 16:13 — “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”

* 3. Need Some Real Understanding -- It Comes by Obedience with Reverence

  • Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

  • John 7:17 — “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”

  • Psalm 111:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”

  • Psalm 119:100 — “I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts.”

  • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

  • Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

* 4. God Grants Insight to the Humble.. So Ask For This. "You Have Not Because You Ask Not."

  • Proverbs 3:5–7 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

  • Isaiah 57:15 — “I dwell... with the contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly.”

  • James 3:17 — “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits.”

  • Matthew 11:25 — “You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”

  • Psalm 25:9 — “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”

* 5. Transformation Through Understanding

  • Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.”

  • Colossians 1:9–10 — “That you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

  • Philippians 1:9–10 — “That your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.”

  • 2 Timothy 2:7 — “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”

  • Hebrews 5:14 — “Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice.”

* On Spiritual Understanding With Keen Insight

  1. A.W. Tozer:
    “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection.”

  2. Charles Spurgeon:
    “The nearer a man lives to God, the clearer he will see his own faults.”

  3. John Calvin:
    “True wisdom consists in two things: the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves.”

  4. D.L. Moody:
    “Understanding the Bible comes not by the head but by the heart illuminated by the Spirit.”

  5. J.I. Packer:
    “Once you become aware that the main business you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.”

  6. Oswald Chambers:
    “Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years, but by obedience to the will of God.”

  7. Andrew Murray:
    “Humility is the only soil in which the grace of God roots.”

  8. Corrie ten Boom:
    “When we surrender all our understanding, God gives us insight beyond what intellect could ever reach.”

  9. Jonathan Edwards:
    “A true love to God must begin with a delight in His holiness, and not with a delight in our own happiness.”

  10. A.W. Pink:
    “The Scriptures were not given for our curiosity, but to furnish the soul with spiritual understanding.”

  11. John Stott:
    “The purpose of revelation is not information, but transformation.”

  12. Francis Schaeffer:
    “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.”

  13. R.C. Sproul:
    “We are not to seek truth merely to know it, but to live it.”

  14. Watchman Nee:
    “Spiritual understanding comes not from analysis, but from revelation.”

  15. Amy Carmichael:
    “Give me the love that leads the way, the faith that nothing can dismay, the hope no disappointments tire, the passion that will burn like fire.”

* Kurt, Got Any Take-Away Thoughts?

Go for Jesus, get right with the Father through the Son then you'll get everything else you need. True understanding is not merely academic—it’s spiritual and relational.
It begins with the Lord, the holy fear of God in humility. It can grow in us through obedience to God's Word, and it matures in love.

God gives it to those whose hearts are soft enough to listen well, and surrendered enough to follow His Son.

“Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.” Proverbs 12:19

Want to visit: Kurt W. von Schleicher at 4:25 AM View Comments