The term “doctrine” could basically be defined as “teaching”. It refers to a belief or set of beliefs held to and taught by a
person or by a group. Doctrine is always practical because it serves as a compass for our lives and, depending on the
specific doctrine, it can have implications for salvation, for how we live, for how the church functions, etc... Christianity is
formed around specific doctrine, and there is no aspect of our lives that is untouched by biblical doctrine.
“Sound” doctrine carries with it the idea of being accurate, reliable, and faithful. At its root, it comes from a medical
term meaning whole or healthy. Biblically sound doctrine then, is doctrine that is faithful to the teaching of the entire
bible. It accurately interprets the parts in terms of the whole, and it conforms to the gospel (1 Tim 1:10-11).
Church leaders are commanded to teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1) – doctrine that is reliable, accurate, and faithful to
the Bible, and all Christians are to keep a close watch on their life and doctrine (1 Tim 4:16). Our aim in this study today
is to be reminded of the importance of sound doctrine.