Today we are going to learn about doctrine.

 What is doctrine? Doctrine is another way of saying teaching. It is a teaching about something. For example you can find the doctrine on forgiveness in Luke 17:3-4. This “Doctrine” teaches us that if someone does us wrong we must forgive one another and keep on forgiving. This is what Jesus taught in His Word.

 So we’ve learned that doctrine means teaching, but not any teaching. It is what the Bible teaches about a subject. This year we’re going to learn all kinds of different doctrines of the Bible like

• Heaven
• Hell
• Man
• God
• Jesus
• Salvation…and many more.

Where is doctrine found? 2 Timothy 3:16 shows that it is clearly from the Bible. Not just certain parts of the Bible but the whole Bible. 

For example when we want to learn about MAN we go to

• Gen 1:26-28 and we learn that God created MAN on the 6^th day.
• Romans 5:12-14 we learn that man sinned and we are now all sinners because of this.

When we take the entire Bible and put it together, we discover what the doctrine is. By doing this we learn what God has to say on the subject.

The Bible is used for doctrine because it is God’s Word from god. Remember what inspiration means? God breathed. God is the author or “writer” of the Bible. That is why we look to the Bible and only the Bible for our doctrine.

Remember doctrine comes from the Bible and only the Bible. It is not an opinion or a thought.

Why is it important?

Think of it this way. Suppose someone sent you a letter who was very far away. Maybe your mom or dad is far away and they are sending you a letter to give you instructions to do something very important. What would you do with the letter? You would read it and follow the instructions I hope. The Bible is a letter from God giving you instructions that you need in order to live your life.  

It’s important because it’s God’s teaching. What is the single most important teaching or “doctrine” in the Bible? SALVATION!

1 Timothy 4:16 tells us that it is.

The only book that can teach us about salvation is the Bible. Only the Bible can tell us about who Jesus is. Doctrine is important because it leads us to salvation. Id we read our Bible and learn about the different doctrines we will learn about salvation and everyone has a choice in salvation. You can choose for yourself to be saved and follow what the Bible says or you can choose to reject what the bible teaches about salvation. The choice is yours.

2 Timothy 3:15

1. What is doctrine?  Teaching
2. Where is it found? The Bible
3. Why is it important?  Because it teaches us and leads us to salvation.
4. Give one verse where the word DOCTRINE is found.
5. Where does doctrine  come from?
6. Give an example of Bible doctrine
7. Is doctrine important? Why?
8. Where else can doctrine come from?