Core for More Bible Study — May 6, 2026
10 Keys to Giving Instructions Effectively
Key #1 – Define the Level of Importance | Matthew 5:37 (AMP)
- Don't just give instructions—rank them.
- Is it urgent, important, or optional? People prioritize based on how you communicate.
37 But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no' [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
If everything sounds important, nothing is.
Key #2 – Assign It to One Owner | Galatians 6:5 (AMP)
- Clarity dies in crowds.
- If multiple people are responsible, no one feels responsible.
5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
Ownership creates accountability.
Key #3 – Time-stamp the Instruction
- What gets tracked gets respected.
- Document when the instruction was given so there's no confusion later.
This eliminates: "I didn't know when you said that."
Key #4 – Require Ongoing Progress Updates | Proverbs 11:14 (AMP)
- Don't wait until the deadline to discover failure.
- Build in checkpoints.
14 Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
Progress reports prevent surprises.
Key #5 – Set a Clear, Agreed-upon Deadline | Habakkuk 2:2 (AMP)
- A task without a deadline is a suggestion.
- Make sure they agree to the timeline—not just hear it.
2 Then the Lord answered me and said, "Write the vision And engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets So that the one who reads it will run.
Agreement creates commitment.
Key #6 – Match the Task to Competence | Luke 16:10 (AMP)
- Don't set people up to fail.
- If they're not capable, either train them or assign someone else.
10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.
Competence matters as much as willingness.
Key #7 – Clarify the Expected Outcome
- Don't just tell them what to do—tell them what success looks like.
If the picture isn't clear, the product won't be either.
Key #8 – Ask for a Repeat-back | Proverbs 14:15 (AMP)
- Have them explain the instruction back to you.
- This exposes misunderstanding immediately instead of at the deadline.
15 The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.
Key #9 – Inspect What You Expect | Ephesians 5:15 (AMP)
- Never assume it's done correctly—follow up.
15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
Trust is good—verification is leadership.
Key #10 – Evaluate and Give Feedback | Lamentations 3:40 (AMP)
- After completion, review the outcome.
- What worked? What didn't? What needs improvement?
40 Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the Lord.
Feedback turns tasks into growth.
In Closing
"Instructions don't fail—unclear communication does."
If you tighten how you give instructions, you won't just get better results—you'll build more reliable people.