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.

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.

BIBLE KNOWLEDGE AT ALL-TIME LOW

I spend a lot of time emphasizing the importance of Christians knowing and living by God’s Word.  one reason I am so passionate about Bible study is because the Bible is our instruction book for life. In fact, EVERY relational problem that occurs in any church directly results from ignorance of God’s Word.

Recently I read several articles which presented various survey results that demonstrated a high level of biblical illiteracy among Christians in the United States. These results underscore the need for 100% of church attendees to be involved in a group Bible study.  Here is a summery of those articles followed by my "take-a-way".

In 2009, the National Biblical Literacy Survey demonstrated that biblical knowledge in people younger than 45 years old is in decline.  Of the more than 900 people from faith and non-faith backgrounds surveyed, fewer than one in 20 could name all of the Ten Commandments.  Additionally, 62%  did not know the parable of the Prodigal Son and 60% could not name anything about the story of the Good Samaritan. That is not the worst of it! the survey also showed that young people think of the Bible as "old fashioned" and "not relevant" to their lives. 

Here are two particularly disturbing results that document the lack of Bible knowledge among church attendees.

•  The most widely known Bible verse among church attending adults and teens is “God helps those who help themselves” (not in the Bible and actually conflicts with Scripture).

•  Less than one out of every ten believers possess a biblical worldview as the basis for his or her decision-making or behavior.(Barna Research Online, "Discipleship Insights Revealed in New Book”)

According to Gary Burge, professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, biblical illiteracy is at a crisis in America’s churches.  Burge references research conducted at Wheaton College in which the biblical and theological literacy of incoming freshmen was monitored. These students, who represent almost every Protestant denomination in the United States from every state in the country, have provided some disturbing data. 

•  One-third could not put the following in order: Abraham, the Old Testament prophets, the death of Christ, and Pentecost.

•  Half could not sequence the following: Moses in Egypt, Isaac’s birth, Saul’s death, and Judah’s exile.

•  One-third could not identify Matthew as an apostle from a list of New Testament names.

•  When asked to locate the biblical book where a specific story is found: half did not know that the Christmas story was in Matthew and half did not know that the Passover story was in Exodus. 

MY TAKE-A-WAY
The answer to this growing problem of biblical illiteracy is three fold. 

Step one, Know the Word: Pastors and other church leaders must spend time every day, reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible. Additionally, leaders must encourage church attenders to develop the same habit of a daily devotion to Bible study.

In personal study, we need to place a higher value in the quality of reading than on the quantity of text read.  It is nice to read through the Bible in a year.  However, it is better to take a year to study the Gospels, Paul’s letters, the minor prophets, or any other Bible book.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NLT)

Step two, Teach the Word: The Bible holds the answers to a great life here on earth and a greater life in eternity.  The stories are exciting reading and are filled with examples of behaviors to imitate and to avoid.  We need to teach God’s word not as we might teach some boring text, but as it really is, alive, valuable, and exciting.  

The sad truth is people will never grow and mature by listening to a weekly 30 minute sermon.  Real life change occurs through a Bible study group. A place where learners can be discipled through the Scriptures. Churches in the U.S. are going to have to enthusiastically encourage attendees to become a part of a Bible study group, if biblical illiteracy is to be reduced.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NIV)

Step three, Live the Word: The greatest criticism of Christians as a whole and the church in particular is hypocrisy.  That is we don’t do the things we tell others to do.  If the 21st century church is to be effective in our culture, we are going have to live what we say we believe.  This is the hardest part of the three steps, but it is the part that will result in the greatest blessing.  Lets commit today to “BE THE CHURCH” to our world.

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Joshua 1:8 (HCSB)

THE PROBLEM WITH WEEDS

I hate weeds. They are ugly and stubborn.  Worse of all, weeds always seem to grow in places where they are lest wanted and the most visible.  For example, my weeds prefer to grow in my brick walk way and  the middle drive way.  They prefer to show up in places where they are glaringly obvious rather than among the other grass and plants where they might blend in. 

I wish I could get them to grow along the edge of my yard, along the lake or next to the vacant lot next door, there I can ignore them and can attribute them to the other properties.  But no!  My weeds want to grow where they are the most obnoxious and the most embarrassing to me.  I believe that my weeds hide until the most opportune moment, then they suddenly make themselves visible and apparant to even the most blind visitor.

Another problem with weeds is I can’t just pull them up or cut them off.  I’ve discovered that to really get rid of a weed I’ve got to get down in the dirt and get to the roots.  Some weeds are so bad that if only a small piece of root is left the plant will grow back from that little piece.  Not only that, but when I do dig them up and get all of the root it leaves a mark, kinda of a temporary scar of sorts.  Often, when I’m not careful, a different type of weed will take root and grow in the very spot where I just removed the original weed. I really hate that.

Hurricanes and tropical storms influence weeds too.  Just as soon as I begin to win my war with weeds a tropical storm or hurricane will blow across my property.  About two weeks later, up pops new weeds.  These are weeds like I’ve never seen before.  They are not common to this area and it takes a new and different type of treatment to get rid of them. 

Finally I have to treat the new weeds like I do with the old ones, get on my hands and knees and pull them out of the ground, one by one.  It is exhausting, dirty, miserable work.  But it is the only way to be sure I get the weeds and their roots out of my lawn.

Right now there are two groups of people reading this article. The first group is asking themselves, “Why are you talking about lawn maintenance?”  The second group is thinking, “OK, I see where you are going, so get on with it!”  So, OK, I will...

Our spiritual lives are much like our lawns. It takes work to keep them in good shape.  Just like our yards, no matter how much we try, the weeds seem to constantly pop up at the most inopportune times and in the most inappropriate places. No matter how much we try to keep the weeds out, they keep showing up.  It takes lots of work to get rid of the weeds we already have.  So much work that we just can’t seem to succeed.

God, however, has provided us with HIS own version of “weed and feed” for our spiritual lives.  The Christian community calls God’s weed removal plan “discipleship.”

Discipleship is “the process of following someone in such a way as to imitate” them.  In this case it is applied to following or imitating Jesus.  Jesus gave three strong commands in the New Testament.  First, He commanded us to love God fully.  Then He commanded us to love people as we love ourselves.  His third command was given right before He returned to Heaven, it is to make disciples.

To “make disciples” we must first become disciples.  Being a disciple involves developing the proper relationship with Jesus. Developing our relationship with Jesus involves spending time alone with him (quiet time), reading and studying the Bible, giving of ourselves, and meeting regularly with fellow believers for accountability. 

These things happen best in a small group Bible study. Each of us become like the people that we associate with and call friends.  Doesn’t it make sense that the best way to develop into a fully devoted follower of Jesus (i.e. a disciple), is to spend time with others who are pursuing the same goal?  Small group Bible studies are just that, a group of believers desiring to become disciples.

H.A.B.I.T.S. (part 2)

This is part 2 of  "Six HABITS that will build a great life."  Part one contained the letters H. A. B. part two has I. T. S.

I.  = Involvement in a ministry of the Church
There are a multitude of ways to be involved in the church. One of the most important ways is to be involved in a small group Bible study.  A person will never connect with the church by attending Sunday services alone.  Small group Bible studies (some call this Sunday School or home groups) is the place where people connect, it is the place where true community happens.

Additionally, we need to become involved in the things of the church.  Things like being a hall monitor for children's or student ministry. Watching the parking lot during and following the mid-week services.  Spending one Sunday a month as a greeter or at the welcome center.  Volunteering to help put up decorations for a church member or at the church once a year.  Showing up for one or more of the "work days"  at the church.  These are only a few of the simple ways that every church has to be involved.  There are way too many to name them all here.

T. = Tithing to the church
Why is money the second biggest reason people give for not attending a worship service (the biggest reason is hypocrites in the church)?  It takes money to pay the electric, water, insurance, building repairs, paper, Bible study materials, copy machines, office supplies, cleaning supplies, building maintenance supplies, alarm system and monitoring, various licenses for audio and video, wages for nursery workers, maintenance/custodial staff, office staff, and pastors.  In addition to that a % of each offering goes to support missionaries all over the world.  The main reason to tithe is BECAUSE GOD COMMANDS IT!

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

Before someone says, “That’s an Old Testament idea.” check this out...

“Well then,” he [Jesus] said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Luke 20:25 (NLT)


S. = Serve others through God’s Love
Jesus was in the HABIT of S-serving.  Since we are called to be imitators of Jesus we too should serve.  We serve God by serving His creation, people.

Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 (HCSB)

Why is serving so important? Because, it demonstrates our love for God.

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. John 13:14-15 (HCSB)    

When we start developing the first five parts of HABITS, the S. naturally begins to happen.  After all God wants EVERYONE to know HIM and love HIM.

This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 (HCSB)

Developing these H.A.B.I.T.S doesn’t happen over night or even in the course of a year.  It takes a lifetime.  So get started right-a-way.  The sooner we commit ourselves to developing good H.A.B.I.T.S. the sooner we will begin GROW-ing in Christ!

A SIMPLE BIBLE STUDY METHOD

( THE SCIENCE OF INTERPRETATION)

There are many strategies or methods for studying the Scriptures. 

Here is one method that I like to recommend for personal study.  It is easy to use and simple to understand.  Dr. Rick Warren suggests using the S-P-A-C-E-P-E-T-S Pattern.  This involves asking ourselves the question, “After reading this passage, do I have a..., or is there a...”

I taught this Bible study method while on mission to Haiti and even though the term “space pets” didn’t translate well, the people embrace it and began to use this method while we were still there.

1.         Before you begin, PRAY for insight.  Remember without the involvement of the Holy Spirit, we will never be able to fully understand or apply the Scriptures.

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)

2.         Look for AN APPLICATION to your life.  Every story, statement, example, or directive is specifically put there by God for our benefit.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 (HCSB)

3.   As you read a passage ask yourself, “Is there a . . .”

S - SIN to confess

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:4 (NIV)

P - PROMISE to claim

Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7-9 (HCSB)

A - ATTITUDE to change

Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:15-16 (NASB)

C - COMMAND to obey

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

E - EXAMPLE to follow

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

P - PRAYER to pray

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

E - ERROR to avoid

I told him that I am going to judge his family forever because of the iniquity he knows about: his sons are defiling the sanctuary, and he has not stopped them. Therefore, I have sworn to Eli’s family: The iniquity of Eli’s family will never be wiped out by either sacrifice or offering.”

1 Samuel 3:12-14 (HCSB)

T - TRUTH to believe

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

S - SOMETHING to praise God for.

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. Romans 5:6-9 (HCSB)

It is not enough to know what God through the Bible tells us to do, we must do what it says needs to be done?  Then get specific, ask "What is one thing I should do today and what is one thing I should work on this week as a result of this Scripture?"   

 Remember, it took years for us to get this messed up, becoming “Jesus imitators” will take time. 

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (HCSB)

THE “SCIENCE OF INTERPRETATION”

A proper understanding of Scripture is not a daunting task!

Previously in “Growing in Christ” I posted about the critical importance of curriculum as a means of monitoring what is being taught in Bible studies. While only one comment is visible, several others have questioned the phrase “science of interpretation.”  I totally understand how this phrase has created some confusion.  Allow me to kindly clarify what I was trying to express. 

To begin, we need working definitions of the word “science” and “hermeneutics.”  According to Webster’s Dictionary science may be defined as: “a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study (i.e. the science of theology).”  Additionally, Webster’s defines hermeneutics as “the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible).” The question was raised regarding where is this supported in the Bible.  The Scriptures are filled with commands and declarations of the benefits of Bible study.  Here are just a few: Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8:13; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 111:2; 2 Timothy 2:15. 

The Holy Spirit has to be involved if we are to understand and apply God’s Word.  However, believers must participate in the Work of the Holy Spirit.  We do that by spending time in the word, asking questions and searching the Scriptures for answers. 

A specific example of this can be found in Acts 17:10-11. Paul and Silas traveled to Berea where the people “welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (HCSB) The Jews at Berea tested the truth of Paul's message by the standard of Scripture rather than judging it by political and cultural considerations. So they examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what Paul proclaimed was really true, and many believed. In short the Bereans demonstrated the “science of interpretation.”

Bible study leaders have an obligation to rightly understand the Scriptures.  Incorrect doctrine, theology, and inappropriate usage of Scripture often occurs when a person does not devote himself to the Bible as “an object of study.”  Specifically, what happens is misquotes of scriptures, but most often misapplications. When repeated these misquotes and misapplications become accepted resulting in the spread of false doctrine. 

I plan to post a couple of recommended study methods to this blog in the upcoming weeks.  If there is one in particular you would like to see please post. 

THE CASE FOR CURRICULUM

One of the more difficult tasks for a pastor is monitoring what is being taught within each of the church’s Bible study groups.  When Bible study groups go unmonitored, the door is opened for dissension within the church.  Unrestricted study group leaders can allow false doctrine to be taught, groups to degenerate into gossip sessions, and bad theologies to become accepted within the group.

To write a good Bible study lesson takes a lot of time and study.  Biblical interpretation is a science and writing a good lesson requires careful and correct hermeneutics. Without the proper preparation, a Bible study leader can easily twist and contort Scripture into a false doctrine or bad theology (even unintentionally) in an effort to respond to a question or comment.

Good Bible study curriculum, can limit misinformation being presented in the study.  Curriculum should be evaluated prior to being allowed to be used in a Bible study group.  Basic criteria for evaluation includes, but is not limited to, publisher, author, ease of use, doctrine(s) presented, and key theological points.

Equally important is good judgement on the study leader’s part. Leaders need to be free to  respond with “I don’t know” when faced with a question or comment not covered in the lesson material. More importantly, to ask “Where is that in the Bible?” when anyone makes a statement with the words, “I think . . .” (or anything similar to that phrase).

At Deltona Lakes, we use several key checkpoints to monitor our groups:
1.    Interview small group leaders who desire to write their own lessons.
2.    Require lesson notes from those who write their own lessons.
3.    Limit, review, and approve all Bible study materials that are used.
4.    Once a year for 8 weeks the church goes into “lock-step.” Every small group is studying the same Scripture text and every sermon is preached from that same text.  This is a great opportunity for us to present correct theology and doctrine to the entire church body.

These checkpoints may sound legalistic or over controlling, but they are not when they are applied through reason. What these checkpoints tend to do is to eliminate divisive personalities before they get into a position to do harm to the body.

In addition to the four checkpoints, we require our leaders and co-leaders to attend one of  two small group leader workshops held each year.  At these workshops we not only present the rules but also explain the reason for the rules.  Additionally, we spend about 90% of our time at the workshops providing training to enhance their small group leadership skills.

Since implementing curriculum standards and leader workshops, we have noticed a positive outlook and spiritual growth within Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.  There is a growing passion for ministry and a growing desire to know God!

YOU GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY

A couple of years ago the following article came to my attention:

Maine Fisherman Reels In Drowning Man

Hollowelle, ME (AHN) -- A man who jumped of a bridge into a frigid Maine river was rescued by a fisherman who hooked his shirt and reeled him in.
    Bob Greene, 42, told the Portland Press Herald that he was having his morning coffee and reading the paper at 4:30 a.m. Thursday when he heard a noise he thought must've been a bird. About twenty minutes later, he saw what he thought was a log floating down the Kennebec River. Soon, he realized it was actually a man and could barely hear a call of "help."
    Michael Gibbs, 25, told police he had jumped from the Cushnoc Crossing bridge in Augusta, known locally as the third bridge. While the 114-foot drop did not kill him, Gibbs did sustain injuries.
    By the time the men's paths crossed, Gibbs was faintly calling for help. Greene told reporters his first instinct was to jump in the water, but a 911 operator told him to try to throw something to Gibbs instead and pull him to shore. Since Greene was getting ready to go fishing, he used his fishing pole.
    Greene was able to hook Gibbs by the shirt, and though he said it was difficult to pull him in against the river's current, he was an experienced fisherman and maker of fishing rods, so he knew how to be ginger with the line so it wouldn't snap.

THE POINT

    What Bob Green did was meet a need.  Notice what he did not do.  He didn’t stop to question if he was qualified to help.  He didn’t wait thinking that someone else will take care of it.  Mr. Green didn’t even ask, “Do I know enough about this man to help him?” or “Do I know enough about rescue?”  He didn’t make excuses. He saw a need and acted with the tools and the talent that he had at the moment.
    Just recently I completed scuba certification as a “rescue diver.”  Part of that training involved CPR certification.  One of the things emphasized in CPR training is “doing something is always better than doing nothing.”
    The point of all of this is: GOD CALLS US TO SERVE. Sometimes it is for a moment, sometimes longer, but HE calls us to serve here and now.  No matter where a believer is in life, there is a place where he can participate in God's activities. Granted some areas require specialized training, but most areas require simply require devoted participation. 
    Not only does God direct us to serve Him by serving each other, but HE promises in the Bible that HE will provide what we need to accomplish what HE wants us to do.

But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” Exodus 3:11-12 (HCSB)

    Additionally, God promises that HE will bless us for being obedient in serving.    
“If you follow My statutes and faithfully observe My commands, I will give you rain at the right time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.
Leviticus 26:3-4 (HCSB)
    Also. . .
And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 (NIV)

    I have discovered that two types of churches exist, those who are serving God and growing and those who are serving themselves and not growing.  Churches that are growing are constantly seeking volunteers, because the need for workers is increasing exponentially with the growth. There are areas of need in every church, too many to list here, these are not things that require prayer about our level of involvement, they require participation.  Growing in Christ always involves going with Christ to serve. Get in on what God is doing, start serving. 
So, grab the fishing pole and cast out there.  Remember: WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE! 

A WORD ABOUT DISCIPLESHIP...

    Life is about change, everything changes. There are two ways things change, they either grow or they diminish, some things change quickly, while some others extremely slow. Some changes are for the better (even if they don’t appear that way at first), while other changes are for the worse.

    The change that God values and supports, begins inwardly and then manifests itself in improved “spiritual” behavior and life style.  Since Jesus is the author of faith (He 12:1-2) it requires focusing on his life, imitating his behavior, and evaluating our own motives.  Religion, on the other hand, demands that we change our behavior in hopes that it will spur, instill, or implement inward transformation, which almost never happens.

    The following is excerpted from Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard:

VIM is derivative of the Latin term “vis” meaning direction, strength, force, vigor, power, energy, or virtue:  . . . If we are to be spiritually formed in Christ, we must have and must implement the appropriate V-vision, I-intension, and M-means. 

        And Here in a nutshell is the explanation of the widespread failure ot attain Christian maturity among both leaders and followers . . .  That is why today you find many professing Christians circling back to non-Christian sources to resolve the problems of their inner life.

        Instead of inward transformation, some outward form of religion–often today even called “a spirituality”– is taken or imposed as the goal of practical endeavor.  What is then important is to be a “good _____” (you can fill in the blank). . . . The individual even enforces it upon himself or herself as what is “obviously” right. But, whatever the details, authentic inward transformation into Christlikeness is omitted.  It is not envisioned, intended, or achieved. (pp 85-86)