IMPROVING MY BIBLE IQ (part 2)

The following are some suggested steps anyone can follow to improve their Bible IQ.  In a previous post (Improving My Bible IQ part 1) I explained how important Bible study is to developing a more intimate understanding of God.

Step 1 - Decide to study the Bible. 
The first step in every action is a decision to act.  In other words, Bible study doesn’t just happen by accident, it is intentional! 

Impress these words of Mine on your hearts and souls, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. Deuteronomy 11:18 (HCSB)

Step 2 -  Deal with attitudes that might interfere with learning.
Jesus told a parable about a sower, the seed, and four types of soil (Luke chapter 8).  In that story the soils represent four different attitudes we can have toward God’s Word (the seed).  Attitude is a never-ending struggle.  I must confess there are days when I begin my study with the thought “let me get this done so I can move on.”  Every day I have to deal with all kinds of negative attitudes before my mind and heart is ready to read the Bible.  The key to winning this battle is prayer. 

Step 3 - Join a small group Bible study.
I cannot say enough about the importance of small group Bible study (aka Sunday School) to a believer. Here are just a few of the MANY REASONS why small group Bible study is so important. Jesus taught in small groups as did many of the apostles.  There is a reason for this, small groups (groups of twelve or less) have a level of intimacy.  Also within a small group there is shared interest and mutual support.  Finally, small group studies have a learning dynamic not available in learning groups of thirty or more. There is a large amount of literature on this topic, email me for a list of recommended texts. 

When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. Mark 4:10 (HCSB)

Step 4 - Take sermon notes.
Taking sermon notes produces positive results.  Many churches today provide an outline or a “fill in the blank” guide.  These are good places to start.  But, even if the pastor provides a “hand out” I recommend taking one’s own notes.  This allows space for the listener to write thoughts and questions that popup during the course of the sermon.  It also requires a higher level of attentiveness resulting in a greater retention.  With the invention of Ipad, Kendel, and other “tablets,” it is very easy to keep notes and organize them for future review. 

As a matter of fact, I still have on my book shelf the notebooks containing every sermon I ever heard between 1995 and 2002 (in 2002 I began keeping electronic copies). I have referred back to some of those sermons from time to time and received a blessing from those notes.  Every sermon is a commentary, just that some are better than others. (See Acts chapter 7)

When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”  “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31 (HCSB)       

Step 5 - Devote time daily to Bible study

A key factor in daily Bible study involves time.  Be consistent, try to study at the same time every day. Answer the question, “When is the best time for me to study?”  When I was in Army Basic Training, the answer was, “During my breaks.” For some moms, the best time is during the children’s nap time.  As a school teacher, it was easier for me to get up earlier and do it in the morning before I left home for work (this is still my practice as a pastor)

And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes,
Deuteronomy 17:19 (NASB)

Step 6 - Focus on quality not quantity.
It is good to read through the Bible in a year.  Every believer should do that at some point.  But I think it is better to spend a year reading and studying the Gospels.  I have a study method that I call the Jacob principle.  In Genesis Jacob wrestles with the Lord until daybreak.  Jacob says, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” (Gen. 32:24-28) 

The Jacob principle works this way.  Before I sit down to study, I pray, “Lord, I’m going to read this passage over and over (i.e. I will not let go) until you bless me with comprehension.  Then commit to reading that passage daily until it happens. 

The first time I practiced this style of study is when I was taking a doctoral seminar on the Gospel of Mark.  In preparation for the class, I decided to read a chapter of Mark every day until I finished the book.  Each day at the beginning of my study time I would say, “Lord, I’m going to read this Gospel over and over until you bless me.”  After I finished reading Mark the first time I thought, “Ok, that was nice, but I don’t feel like I’ve learned anything new.” So, I started over.  It was during the third time through the Gospel that the Scripture literally began to explode in my brain!  I think God was testing me to see if I was truly committed to reading His word.

Years later in preparing to teach 1 Peter, I applied the Jacob principle again and God blessed me in the same way.  In fact, I have practiced this for every difficult passage I’ve ever had to preach / teach and every time God has blessed my faithfulness. Sometimes it is the second reading, sometimes the fourth or fifth, but He is always faithful to reveal His Words to me.

For the record, I’ve been advocating this method of study for several years and every person who has followed it has experienced similar results.  Now this is nothing new, it is simply putting Scripture to practice.  Now that is a novel thought!

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Step 7 - Make it a practice to memorize scripture

"Guard my words as your most precious possession.  Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart."   Pr. 7:2-3

Memorizing scripture can help me resist temptation.  It can help me identify false teaching.  It provides comfort and strength when I a troubled and discouraged.  Also it helps me to witness to unbelievers.

Right now someone is reading this and thinking something like, “I can’t memorize things.”  I used to be one of those people. For those who believe that they cannot memorize anything, here are two verses to read, meditate, and memorize:

I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

Next, memorize this verse.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10 (NASB)

Here are a few suggestions that may help to memorize a verse or piece of scripture:
1.  Pick a verse that speaks to you.        
2.  Study the verse, it’s context and meaning.
3.  Read the verse aloud many times.  Record it!       
4.  Break the verse into natural phrases.
5. Say the reference before and after the verse.
6.  Write out the verse on a flash card and carry it with you.    (Also use your smart phone)
7. Display your verses in prominent places, like your computer screen saver, background, or home screen.
8.  Put the verse to music.  Write a song or learn a song already written about that verse.    
9.  Get a partner so you can check each other.

IMPROVING MY BIBLE IQ (part 1)

On this site, I’ve posted a couple of articles about the lack of biblical literacy among Christians   (See last week’s post as well as my post about “Bible Knowledge At All Time Low" ). Well a person is either part of the problem or part of the solution.  I choose to be the latter.

My goal is not to create a theological debate.  It is to encourage believers to become committed to reading and studying the Bible.  The New Testament writers, as well as Jesus himself, spent some time warning us about false prophets and teachers. I am convinced that those who succumb to false teaching are lacking in Bible knowledge resulting in biblical illiteracy.

There are many ways Believers can fight personal biblical illiteracy. In this post and the next, I intend to recommend a course of action for improving one’s Bible IQ.  All of these recommendations have been successful with either myself or with others.  A good place to begin is with my story.

Even though I had been raised in the church and was frequently a candidate for “perfect attendance” in Sunday School, at 28 years of age I found myself suffering from a lack of Bible knowledge.  I was not serving in any church at the time (in fact I was going through a time of rebellion against God). 

After renewing my focus on Him, God began to convict me about my need for Bible study.  The first thing I learned is: “I don’t know as much as I think about The Bible or God.” 

I began slowly and simply to study The Scriptures.  I began with a “Men’s Devotional Bible.” I tried to begin every day reading the daily devotional and all of the supporting scriptures.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I was growing in spirit and in Bible knowledge.

During Army basic training and MP school, I carried my Gideon’s Bible and a copy of “Open Windows” (now called “Daily Bread”) everywhere I went.  I kept those books wrapped together in a plastic freezer bag and stuffed into my BDU cargo pocket. Whenever I had a break (usually after lunch), I’d move over somewhere alone and read the devotion and it’s scripture.  To this day I have a page from that devotion book stuck in my study Bible.  Later I learned of the positive effect this had on my fellow soldiers and even on one Drill Sergeant.

Each year since my revival, I have chosen a different yearly devotional book to guide my study. Some of my favorites have been used multiple times. Over the years I have used Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost For His Highest, C. H. Spurgeon’s Morning By Morning, several different devotionals by A.W. Tozer, Dallas Willard, and others. Most of these are available now on a smart phone, but I’m kinda “old school” in this area preferring paper and ink over bits and bytes.    

The important thing is to choose a study plan and stick with it.  The number of good plans far outweigh those that are not so good.  I am convinced that God is most honored by our perseverance and our obedience to read and study HIS Word!

KNOW THE WORD

We shouldn't let the fact that we can’t know everything about the Bible deter us from learning as much as we can about God’s Word!  By the same token, we shouldn't allow the thought that we can never know everything about God keep us from developing an intimate relationship with Him.

Theology teaches us about God.  Who He is, His attributes, His values, and His nature.  However, it is through personal interaction with God, primarily through His Word combined with prayer, that we get to know God.  That is to say, knowing about God is not the same as knowing God.

Granted, the Bible does speak of a “saving knowledge” (see Hebrews 10:26), however, it’s not the knowledge that saves rather it is hearing the message of available forgiveness.  A. W. Tozer addressed this very thought when he wrote:

The uncomprehending mind is unaffected by truth. The intellect of the hearer may grasp saving knowledge while yet the heart makes no moral response to it. (Born after Midnight, p.62)

The modern church, for the past 100 years, has communicated that the goal of the church is to convert unbelievers to believers.  Our efforts should not terminate with another’s salvation, instead we are to guide the unbeliever through salvation to holiness! Don’t get me wrong, salvation is important. But it’s the first step.  I am convinced that it’s our sanctification, that is to say, our holiness that is God’s goal for us.

We are indeed saved by grace and not by our intellect (or sight).  It is not how much we know, but rather it is who we know that counts.  However, our salvation is the beginning of our relationship with God.  We need to “mature in Christ” and that requires Bible study.

God provided the Scriptures as a way of displaying His nature and character to us.  He interacts with us through the Bible to guide us to understand Him (to some degree) and know how to please Him.

We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28 (HCSB)

Peter writes, “Be Holy . . .” (1 Pe. 1:16) and in doing so  quotes from three different texts in Leviticus (Lev. 11:44;  Lev 19:2;  Lev 20:7) all of which command us to do that very thing.  So holiness should be our goal and that will not be achieved without the work of the Holy Spirit accomplished through Bible study.

Holiness is often confused with perfection or sinlessness. To be holy is to be “set apart for God.”  To be sanctified.  Our path to holiness involves developing an intimate relationship with God.  Growing in our understanding of His nature and character.  The primary way of doing this is through Bible study.

There is among church attendees an epidemic of  biblical illiteracy.  The results of this biblical illiteracy is a shallow relationship with God.  This shallowness is displayed through apathy, marginal participation, diminished giving among believers.
 
Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr., the President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, wrote:

Christians who lack biblical knowledge are the products of churches that marginalize biblical knowledge. Bible teaching now often accounts for only a diminishing fraction of the local congregation's time and attention. (“The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It's Our Problem” www.christianity.com/print/1270946)

If we, as obedient followers of Christ, are to fulfill “The Great Commission” (Mt. 28:19-20), if we are to “make disciples”, then we have to know God’s Word.  More importantly, we need to know God!  Knowing about God isn't enough, we need to know Him like a child knows it’s father, like a loving wife knows her loving husband.  That is the only way we can function as obedient children of a loving Father.

AND the only way we can do that is by reading, studying, meditating on The Bible.

After all it’s not rocket science.

Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance  but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;  for it is written, "Be holy, because I am holy."  1 Peter 1:13-16 (HCSB)

CRIME AND INJUSTICE

How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen, or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? Why do You force me to look at injustice? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted. Habakkuk 1:2-4 (HCSB)

I find it amazing that the same complaints Habakkuk expressed in 620 BC can be truthfully expressed in the United States today. **  For us to find an acceptable resolution to these complaints, we have to acknowledge that the problem begins with each individual person.  

The Old Testament book of Habakkuk (wedged in between Nahum and Zephaniah), like Jonah, is a story about God molding the character of an individual.  The text begins with ranting, raving, and complaining, then concludes with a statement of renewed faith in a sovereign God.

We read Habakkuk’s complaint (verses above) and then, beginning in verse five, God replies basically saying, “Habakkuk, I’m about to do something that you wouldn’t even if I personally tell you what I’m going to do.  I’m gonna send the Chaldeans to discipline Israel.” (Hab.1:5-11 paraphrased)

By the end of the text, Habakkuk with renewed confidence declares, “I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. . . . I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:16,18 (NIV)

OK, so what does that mean to us?  Habakkuk was frustrated as he looked at the world around him, specifically Israel, and saw that things are not as they are supposed to be.  We are indeed in the same situation today!  Things are not as they are supposed to be. 

We proclaim our freedom but we really want entitlement! We protest for justice, but we really just want to have our own way! 

Our problems are not the crime and injustice so common in our society.  It is not the incompetence that exists in our elected officials. Our problems are not the slanted and one-sided reporting epidemic in the media.  Our problems begin with us, each of us. 

 Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4 (NASB)

What I’m saying is that change, real change, “THE CHANGE WE NEED” must begin with you and me.  Real change must occur in the heart and mind of each individual citizen. That kind of change can only occur by God’s power. When I decide to submit to God’s plan for life and  God’s rules for living, I will then experience the heart change needed to affect change. 

Submission begins with humility.  Admitting that I don’t have the answer or the power to implement the answer even if I had it.  When we reach that place, we naturally turn to God.  But just turning to God doesn’t provide change, we need tune-in to HIM as well.



This is what happened to Habakkuk, his heart was changed. He went from a moaning, grieving, sniveling, complaining man, to a man of gratitude, living in confidence and faith.  Habakkuk tuned-in to God and discovered real peace. 







It’s not too late.   Let us begin right now to tune into God and then “watch to see what He [God] will say to me.”  Habakkuk 2:1 (HCSB)

**Personal note: originally I listed several specific examples of “wrongdoing, oppression, and violence” not to mention other examples of strife and escalating conflict.  But I decided that my examples were inflammatory and that is not the goal of this article or of this blog.

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (part 2)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and
do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

In my last post I wrote of freedom and responsibility from a social point of view.  In this post I’ll write regarding freedom and responsibility within the church specifically and Christianity in general. 

There is much freedom in Christianity.  We are free from meaningless rituals. We are free from human or animal sacrifices. We are free from legalism and what I call “behavior management” religion.  There is freedom is styles of worship, posture in prayer, and places to serve. Most importantly we are free from working to be “good enough” for Heaven.  Also, while we are commanded to tell others about God’s FREE gift of salvation, we are not held accountable for their free choice. 

However, like our nation (click see previous post), the church has failed to “keep standing firm” thus succumbing to inconsistencies.  It is quite possible that these inconsistencies within the church have been instrumental in supporting the inconsistences which exist in our society.  To be blunt, where society may have some excuse for being inconsistent, the church has none. 

Twenty-first century Christians gather weekly to declare our loyalty to God.  We sing praises to The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.  We proclaim the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the offer of salvation that results from that sacrifice. But when the service is over, we depart the gathering to live like everyone else. 

In our daily lives, no appears to be no significant difference in our behavior and the behavior of those who don’t believe.  More importantly, for all of our singing, clapping, teaching, preaching, and other activities designed to exalt God, once we are away from church, we tend to live lives of secret agent Christians, fearing to reveal our true identities. 

We will never speak louder or more clearly about our faith as when we live it out openly and without shame.  It is not enough to say “God is my top priority.” we must demonstrate it in our choices.  Not just the choices we make publicly, but also the choices we make privately. 

If I want a better World, we have to have a better nation.  If I want to have a better nation, we have to be a better state.  If I want to have a better state, we have to be a better county.  If I want to have a better county I have to be a better city.  If I want to have a better city, we have to be a better community.  If I want to have a better community, we have to be a better church.  If I want to have a better church, our families have to be better families.  If I want to have a better family I have to be a better me.  If I want to be a better me, I have to commit to living like Jesus! 

In our freedom to live, we cannot neglect our responsibility to imitate Jesus.  In our freedom from the punishment of sin, we cannot neglect our responsibility to make disciples of Jesus.  So it all comes down to who I want to be like.  Do I want to be like me or do I want to be like Jesus?

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (part 1)

In the movie “Braveheart” there is a powerful scene where William Wallace is being tortured to death.  In that scene with his last breath he shouts long and loud, “FREE----DOM”. 

As I am writing this post, it is the morning of July 4, 2013.  Today, like most citizens of the United States of America, I am reflecting on our freedom and on our nation. 

The Bible has a lot to say about freedom, one particular text that comes to mind this morning is found in Galatians chapter 5, verse 1:

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (NASB)

Please note the connection of freedom with the responsibility of “standing firm” and the warning not to return to slavery. 

Our nation has enjoyed many blessings during the 237 years since it declared independence from England.  Much of those blessings have been the result of choosing what is right over what might be profitable.  However, our nation has lost sight of right thinking and pursued profitable thinking. Profitable thinking has caused this country to become inconsistent in our core values and the character of our nation has suffered.

For example our definition of murder.  If a pregnant woman is killed or if her unborn baby is killed (either accidentally or intentionally) by another it is a criminal offense.  However, not only is it legal for a mother to kill her own baby (abortion) but in many cases a woman can receive government assistance to do so.

Another inconsistency involves immorality.  Members of congress, generals, admirals, judges, and cabinet members have all had to resign because of immorality.  Presidential candidates have been forced to drop out of elections because of implied immorality.  However, we allowed a sitting president, one who fired generals and admirals, to remain in office in spite of overwhelming evidence regarding his immoral behavior.  As one news anchor said,“This nation owes Richard Nixon an apology."

What is my point and how does it connect with the Bible verse above?

This nation has not “stood firm” on the basis of our social morality.  In our free living, we have ignored those activities which maintain that freedom.  We have become too focused upon our entitlements at the price of our responsibilities. We have forgotten the challenge spoken by then President John F. Kennedy,

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”  

Instead we have a nation of people not asking but demanding that the government “do for us.”  Standing firm doesn’t begin in Washington D.C.  It begins in each person’s own life.  In my own home. 

By not “standing firm” we have surrendered to our own “yoke of slavery”.  Not slavery to a nation, army, or king, but slavery to our desires for pleasure, possessions, power, and popularity.  We have become slaves to our pursuit of happiness.  Voters often vote not on what is wise, but instead based on what will benefit them personally. The result is many elected and appointed leaders make decisions based not on what is right or wrong, but rather what will keep them employed.  We have become so busy pursuing pleasure, that we don’t take the time to listen to what politicians are saying.  The result is we vote based not on facts, but more on feelings and misplaced loyalties.  Unfortunately many trust a news media which spends more time editorializing the news than it does reporting it.

Finally, The United States was established as a Bible based nation.  Every one of the key written statements in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are founded upon biblical principles. We need to stand firm on a biblical perspective in our evaluations of right and wrong. 

So we are free, free indeed! We need to celebrate our freedom.  But lets not forget that our freedom isn’t free.  We need to accept our responsibility to preserve that freedom not just for the future, but also for today. 

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO START!

The second week of this year is not too late to have a new start for this year! The calendar year is still young and we can still commit to a new or renewed determination to grow in Christ!

 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.2 Peter 3:18 (HCSB)

Here are four things we can focus upon if we are desiring to mature as followers of Jesus Christ.

1. Grow in faith.
Most people I meet express that growing in faith is the most difficult thing for them to do in their life.  The truth is we can grow our faith the same way we would get to Carnegie Hall.  How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice!  In short, we increase our faith by practicing faithful behaviors.

First, establish a daily time to spend in communion with God by reading His Word and reflecting on what it says.  Then be faithful with attending corporate worship service.  Then join and faithfully attend a Bible study.  Be sure to tithe from your time, talents, and possessions. Start with these things and watch what God will begin through your faithfulness!

2. Grow in love.
To grow in love, we should discipline ourselves to inspect every word before we speak it, manage every action before we do it, and evaluate every situation before we ignore it.  In every situation ask, “What is the most loving thing to do?”  Another way to grow in love is to question, “Am I pointing someone towards Christ or away from Christ, through my behavior?”

3.  Grow in humility.
Grow down in humility, by growing up in prayer.  Humility is seeing myself two ways: first, being honest about seeing myself as what I would be like without Christ; second, seeing myself as what I am with Christ.  Once I understand those two things it will be easier to become humble since I will begin understand that I am nothing without Christ. The more humble I become, the more dependent I will be upon God to provide the things I need to accomplish HIS will. Also the more devoted I will become to prayer and interaction with God.  Brother Lawrence spoke regarding the simplicity of developing a prayer life when he said,

    He [God] does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.
    -- Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)

4. Grow in knowledge.
Seek to know more about Jesus.  Study on the things that he said and the things that he did while on Earth.  Don’t be afraid to ask, “Why did Jesus say what he said and why did he say it that way?”  Observe his actions and flesh out ways to imitate Jesus day by day. 

Final note: We may never see how much we have grown, but those around us will.