Teach Doctrine and Theology

What do your students think about when they think about God? That may be the most important question for your ministry to them. Are you intentional about what you are teaching or are you just making it up as you go? Since we only have our students for a few years, the importance of what we teach and model to them is magnified. If we genuinely intend to influence the students in our ministry we must equip them with a deeper understanding of God’s word and who He is. We must be careful to lift the gospel at all times. In order to fully equip our students and prepare them for life as a believer we must intentionally teach them doctrine and theology.

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Webster’s Dictionary defines these as:

Doctrine: a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true

Theology: the study of God and of God’s relation to the world

These two aspects of a student’s understanding as it relates to their life are crucial for faithfulness to the Lord in all situations and circumstances they will face after our ministry. Here are 5 reasons you should be intentionally teaching doctrine and theology to your students:

1. They will have a theology when they leave your ministry (have one now) you need to help shape it

The truth is everyone has a theology.  Everyone has thoughts and a belief about God.  You need to help shape the one your students will have when they leave your ministry.

2. They will view their world through their understanding of doctrine and theology.

Regardless of what life throws at them, they will view those circumstances through their doctrine and theology.  If you want your students to stay the course and finish well then you must teach them sound doctrine and theology now.

3. They can handle it…and they want it

They learn trigonometry in school…they can handle theology in church.  Students want real answers and what to be able to ask difficult questions.  Make room for both of those and teach them doctrine and theology.  They can handle it.

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4. They need to be prepared for life in the “real world” as a believer

Since student one day leave your ministry (hopefully), you must be preparing them now for life after “youth group.”  You cannot adequately do this if you ignore teaching doctrine and theology.

5. You grow in your understanding as well

You can’t teach what you don’t know.  As you prepare you will learn and grow in your own understanding which makes you a better minister in the end as well.

Bonus: Doctrine and Theology are REALLY important

What are your thoughts?  What makes this difficult?  How are you being intentional in teaching doctrine and theology in your ministry?  Leave a comment below and let me know!

Photo credit: Anonymous / Foter.com / Public Domain Mark 1.0