Why Biblical Teaching Must Take Priority Over Entertainment
There’s a crisis in the modern church, and it’s not a lack of attendees, programs, or resources. The real crisis is that we have forgotten the primary command to teach.
We live in a time where entertainment dominates. Churches feel pressure to attract crowds, and in the process, many have traded biblical teaching for feel-good messages, light shows, and emotional experiences. But Scripture makes it clear: the command to teach is non-negotiable.
Moses knew this well. In Deuteronomy 4:14, he reminded the Israelites:
“The Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.”
God didn’t tell Moses to entertain, impress, or make people feel good. He commanded him to teach. Let’s unpack this command by looking at who we must teach, what we must teach, and why we must teach.
Who Are We Called to Teach?
The answer is simple: God’s people.
Moses was commanded to teach the Israelites, those whom God had called as His own. Teaching isn’t just for pastors, theologians, or seminary professors—it’s for all believers. If you’re a follower of Christ, you are both a student and a teacher of the Word.
Yet, we must be honest: the modern church has lost its commitment to deep, biblical teaching. Many churches prioritize drawing crowds over discipling believers. And in doing so, they unintentionally create shallow, spiritually malnourished Christians.
This isn’t just a minor issue—it’s a spiritual disaster. Hosea 4:6 issues a sobering warning:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
A lack of knowledge doesn’t just mean people are uninformed—it means they are vulnerable. Vulnerable to false teaching. Vulnerable to sin. Vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.
If the church fails to teach, then we fail to prepare God’s people for the challenges they will face in the world.
Parents, You Are Teachers
Teaching isn’t just the pastor’s job. Parents, you are the first teachers of your children. If you’re not actively teaching your kids about the Bible, the world will teach them its version of truth. And that version is often far from what God desires.
Deuteronomy 6:7 gives a direct command to parents:
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.”
In other words, biblical teaching isn’t a Sunday-only event—it’s a daily commitment.
What Are We Called to Teach?
Moses was told to teach the Israelites “statutes and judgments.” In simple terms, he was to teach the law of God—the Word of God.
This is where things get uncomfortable for many churches today.
Instead of focusing on Scripture, many churches emphasize motivational messages, self-help principles, and even moralistic therapeutic deism—a fancy way of saying a feel-good religion that lacks biblical substance.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Go and make people feel better.” He said,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
We must return to teaching Scripture—verse by verse, precept upon precept.
The apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3-4:
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
That time is now.
Many people don’t want to hear the truth—they want affirmation of their own beliefs, lifestyles, and desires. But biblical teaching isn’t about making people comfortable—it’s about making them holy.
So, what should we be teaching?
The Gospel – The good news of Jesus Christ, the only way to salvation (John 14:6).
The Whole Counsel of God – Not just the easy parts of Scripture, but the challenging parts as well (Acts 20:27).
Sound Doctrine – Truths that align with Scripture, not cultural trends (Titus 2:1).
Why Are We Called to Teach?
Moses gave the reason in Deuteronomy 4:14:
“That ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.”
Teaching is not just about information—it’s about transformation.
If we only fill people’s minds with knowledge but never call them to action, we have failed. The goal of biblical teaching is not just to make people smarter but to make them more obedient to Christ.
Jesus made this clear:
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
God’s Word isn’t just meant to be studied—it’s meant to be lived.
What Happens When We Don’t Teach?
When churches stop teaching the Bible:
Christians become biblically illiterate. Many cannot even articulate the basics of their faith.
False teachings flourish. When people don’t know the truth, they believe lies.
Faith becomes shallow. A faith that isn’t rooted in Scripture will collapse when trials come.
Sin is tolerated. When the Bible isn’t taught, people stop recognizing sin for what it is.
Simply put, when teaching stops, faith weakens.
Returning to a Biblical Model of Teaching
It’s time for the church to get serious about teaching again. That means:
Prioritizing expository preaching – Teaching the Bible in context, not cherry-picking verses for convenience.
Encouraging theological depth – Helping believers move beyond surface-level faith.
Training the next generation – Teaching young believers how to handle Scripture rightly.
Every Christian must ask:
Am I seeking solid biblical teaching?
Am I passing on biblical truth to others?
Am I applying what I learn from Scripture?
If we return to teaching God’s Word faithfully, we will see stronger believers, healthier churches, and a culture transformed by truth.
Final Thought
The church doesn’t need more entertainment. It needs more teaching.
Because a church that doesn’t teach the Word is a church that won’t stand.
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For further reading on the importance of biblical teaching, check out:
The Role of Teaching in the Church
Also, check out our Intentional Faith podcast on Spotify for more discussions on faith and discipleship.