Learning is much more than building a mental library of facts. Likewise, teaching is not merely the practice of transferring information. This is especially true for teaching and learning the Bible.

If your goal is to become a walking encyclopedia of the Bible, you will spend a lifetime acquiring knowledge. However, there is a strong likelihood that you will have little more Biblical understanding than when you began. And if you are a teacher who imparts a lot of really interesting information about events, times and places found in the Bible, but stop short of guiding your students toward attaining understanding, you have done a grave disservice to your students and yourself.

The goal of Bible teaching and learning must be to acquire understanding. While gaining knowledge of the Bible is necessary, it must be recognized that knowledge does not automatically lead to understanding. That means there is no magic formula that says a certain amount of knowledge will produce a predetermined level of understanding.

We often believe that knowledge leads to understanding because our experience seems to indicate as much. For example, you study and study plane geometry and then one day the light comes on and you understand how to construct those dreaded proofs. It may be that knowledge produces understanding when it comes to mathematics or other disciplines, but I don’t think so. And I am certain it does not work that way when it comes to acquiring Bible understanding. Many people have vast Bible knowledge and little understanding.

How then is Bible understanding obtained?

There is only one way, and that is by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can show you the meaning behind the words and events in the Bible.

The apostle Paul taught that the Scriptures contain wisdom that is hidden from plain view, i.e., a mystery. He also claims that he teaches about that mystery. However, he did not come to see it through his own logic, but rather by way of revelations from the Holy Spirit.

6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood [they did not understand because they did not have the Holy Spirit]; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

The mystery of the Scriptures is not seen or heard with our physical eyes and ears, but rather with the spiritual eyes and ears of our heart. And God intended for His people to know them and also to acquire understanding. King Solomon has a lot to say about knowledge, wisdom and understanding in His book of Proverbs.

“The  beginning of wisdom is:  Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

How much  better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. (Proverbs 16:16)

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.

14 For her profit [understanding’s] is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.

15 She[understanding] is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. (Proverbs 3:13-15)

Understanding is therefore the ultimate goal of Bible teaching and learning.