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)

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

NUMBER 5: 

PEOPLE ARE MADE FOR A MISSION (final part, AMEN)

Do you think any one of the people you know would be encouraged to know that God created him or her for a specific mission here on Earth? It’s true! God’s fifth reason for creating us is for a mission.  Jesus is quoted in the Gospel of John as saying,

 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  John 17:18 (NASB)

Every believer has two missions, one to fellow believers, the other to unbelievers. Actually it is more like a MINISTRY to believers, and a MISSION to unbelievers. It is not hard for us to do both, serving believers and helping unbelievers. The truth is most people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. That means our relationship with an unbeliever caries more value than our fame in this world. Put simply, “People don’t care how much you know.  They want to know how much you care.” This gives the average Christian an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

Each of us play a crucial role in helping the people around us to develop this sense of mission in their lives. One thing we can do is to help others see what mission God has planned for their lives. This doesn’t mean we have to be able to read tea leaves or someone’s palm, then declare to them the specific plan God has for their life.  Indeed not!  Rather, our role is to encourage and guide others around us.  God says this very activity (performing our ministry and mission) is one of the reasons why HE gives us the Bible.

God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17 (NLT)

The hardest thing is for us to be living examples of what we say we believe.  What does it say to the world when we endorse one thing, but never use it.  For example, what are we saying to the world when we say, I believe in eating healthy as I’m chewing on a chocolate candy?  Get my point. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about this:

let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:16-17 (NASB)

We need to begin by asking God to grow each of us in all of these areas.  At the same time we should be building into the lives of the people around us, a strong sense of how God created each of them to experience a meaningful life. The great lie is that we have to be perfect, or really, really good to help others.  Again, NOT SO! Not all of us are called to be leaders, but we are all called to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Don’t be afraid to say to the people around you,  “Walk with me as I try to walk with God.”  You'll be amazed at what God will do!

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE (part 4)

People Are Shaped for Service
God created each of us to serve him, and in the church, we call that ministry. The Bible teaches that one of the reasons we were created is to serve God by serving others.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

Every Christian is created to serve, and that means we are called to ministry, created for ministry, saved for ministry, and uniquely gifted for ministry. The Bible makes it very clear that every Christian is a minister, regardless of age.

This series of posts began with the declaration that people are looking for meaning in life.  People who volunteer, when asked why they volunteer, often say that volunteering (serving) is meaningful to them.  In short, it helps them to find the answer to the question, “Why am I here?”

Our desperate need to have a life with meaning is demonstrated in a fictional character on a popular TV show.  In the third season of the TV show House MD, a homeless old guy (played by Geoffrey Lewis) who has come to the hospital to die says:

 “If I die in peace, then I'm just another patient. But if I die suffering... I just need to die, knowing that something is different because I was here.”  

This man was willing to die in extreme pain because he believed it would cause the doctor, the only person with any type of relationship with him, to remember him.

To develop a meaningful life, people need opportunities where they can serve and have a sense of success. We can help people find meaning in life by guiding them to volunteer in various areas of ministry.  Create meaningful events where people can volunteer.  

As caring Christians we need to remember that ministry is not limited to the property where the church meets.  The most effective ministries most often take place away from the church building.
                                  
The God of the universe shaped each of us to serve, and we can start right now.  The earlier people start to serve, the sooner they will begin to experience Christ-like service.  This type of service will develop within each of us a sense of meaning to our life.

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE (part 2)

NUMBER 2:
We Were Created to Communicate the Truth.

The second thing that gives a person’s life meaning is to have a mission.  In the Star Trek series, the Enterprise was on a mission “to go where no one had gone before.” In Swamp people the mission is about catching ‘gators.  Even the Blues Brothers were “On a mission from God.”  Someone might think or even say, “Well, that’s just entertainment.”  Perhaps, but even in history there are examples of the importance of having a mission.  Phrases like “No taxation without representation” and “Remember the Alamo” were rallying cries calling people to a common mission.  Having a mission gives meaning to our lives.  God’s second reason for creating us is for mission.  

We all have a mission.  Like the Mission Impossible task force we can choose to accept it or not.  The difference is the mission we have is one that gives our lives meaning.  Our mission is to tell unbelievers about God and to encourage believers in God.  

 

God said to Moses,

and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." Exodus 19:6 (NASB)

and Jesus said to the disciples,

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)

Every believer should have a ministry to believers, and a mission to unbelievers. It is not hard for  people to do both. One possible way to accomplish both is to involve the entire family by going on a mission trip together. 

Studies show most people who come to Christ -- at least in the United States -- come to him before they turn eighteen . Other studies show people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. This combination gives Christian families an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

We all play a crucial role -- if not the most critical -- in helping people develop this sense of mission in their lives.  We have the power, more than that, we have the mission to begin building into the lives of people a strong sense of how God created each of them for a mission. 

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

The most fundamental question people ever wrestle with is "Why am I here?" Unlike past generations, people today aren’t necessarily looking for “the meaning of life”. Instead they’re searching for meaning in life.

Americans especially are desperately seeking something that makes their life worth living. We are so desperate for it, we will grab onto any activity, cause, or belief regardless how poorly it fits into our lives.  The fact is we are seeking the very thing for which God made us. 

The Bible teaches that God made everyone for a relationship with Him.  That relationship is the key ingredient for a meaningful life.  For instance, in Colossians we’re told: 

because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 (HCSB) 

The Bible also teaches that there are several steps we can take toward developing a meaningful relationship with God.  Following each of these steps is the single most important thing any of us can ever do.  God holds us accountable for living these five purposes as an example to the people around us and most importantly to our children as part of training them in the ways of the Lord.

STEP NUMBER 1:   We were created to Worship God.

If there is one thing people in the world, especially in the United States, understand it is how to worship.  People who worship Star Trek are called “Trekkies”; those who worship Jimmy Buffet are called “Parrot Heads”; those who worship famous stars are called “groupies”. I should also mention those who might worship sports, T.V. shows, possessions, pleasure, popularity, or power.  The truth is we get worship.  What we don’t get is the correct focus of our worship.  The Bible tells us that we were created to worship God!

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."  Revelation 4:11 (NASB)

Most people struggle with love and acceptance.  We need to understand how critical it is to build into other lives the precious knowledge that all of us were created as an object of God’s love.

By understanding God’s love for us, we can reflect our love for God. In Matthew 22:37 (the verse we know as the Great Commandment) Jesus says:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (NIV)

People who miss this are missing something of critical importance in life. We need to teach people to know God, and we need to teach them to express their love to God through worship.

Before we teach others about worship, we must first understand worship and begin to develop a worshipful lifestyle.  Worship of God builds our relationship with God and gives our lives meaning. 
In my next post I will present some thoughts and scripture about developing a lifestyle of God worship.

H.A.B.I.T.S. (part 1)

There are six habits that produce a GREAT life! Today I'm posting the first three of those habits (some have suggested that my posts are too long) and I'll post the other three later this week (so keep checking back, or just join and follow for automatic updates).

 Some time back Stephen R. Covey wrote a book titled, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The book identifies 7 habits that will make the reader more effective in his personal and public life. Additionally, Covey claims that “this is powerful advice that will help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.”
    These six HABITS will produce perseverance, joy, and fulfillment in life no matter how good or bad things get!  The only cost is the time to read this post and the effort to implement the habits. WHAT A GREAT DEAL!

Here are the first three HABITS!
H. =  Hang Out with God
The most important habit we can develop is to spend time with God daily. The more the better, but remember God values quality above quantity.  Choose a place and a time where there is the least chance of being interrupted. I have a place on my porch that I use.  Praying or singing is allowed, but also listening.  It may feel awkward at first but stay with it!  It takes a little time to learn to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 49:10)

A. = Accountability with another believer(s)
Last year we emphasized every attendee being a part of an accountability group.  Here is the problem, many people have stopped their accountability groups.  Just because the banner is down, doesn’t mean the practice of accountability should end.  Strong Christians have trustworthy accountability partners (note more than one).  Begin today to gather a group of 3-5 devoted believers as accountability partners. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

B. = Bible Study regularly
To love God, we must first know God.  We get to know God through reading the Bible.  There are two ways we need to study the Bible. Alone (during our “hang time”) and together in a small group (accountability thing).  The Bible describes God’s personality, it helps us to experience Him, it describes His attributes, most importantly is repeatedly affirms His love for us.  There are more than 7,000 promises God makes to us in the Bible.  How many of them can you name? But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

Take time this week to begin to develop these first three HABITS!  They will serve you well in working on the next three.  If you need some help with H & B I suggest "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.  It's a 366 day devotional book that only takes about 8-10 minutes per day to do, but it is rich enough that you can also spend 30 or more minutes in deep study.  In short, it's very adaptable.

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. 

THOUGHTS ON LIVING THE DREAM!

Many people spend their days trying to find real peace, true happiness, and complete rest. We often find ourselves chasing our shadow trying to grasp “the dream.”  The very first Psalm is a step by step process for receiving happiness, peace and rest from God.
Note: All scripture quoted from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, except where other wise noted.

    (1) 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!
A truly happy person is quickly identified by the things he doesn’t do. That is to say, his life is NOT directed by the opinions, advice, or influence of unbelievers. True happiness is a result of being full of joy, not a shallow pretense that is created by a temporary event or experience. A major problem among our society is most people are intellectually constipated.  People often say, “I am an individual and want to express my individuality.” But in truth the expression that they cherish is determined by someone else.  It may be a fashion designer, a writer, a photographer, reporter, etc., but they allow others to determine their actions.  This problem is not limited to fashion, rather it extends into every area of our existence.  We seek, even follow advise without concern for the qualifications of the advisor. 
God paints a verbal picture of the life style He has appointed for us in the book of Jeremiah, “I never sat with the band of revelers, and I did not celebrate [with them]. Because Your hand was [on me], I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.” (Jer.15:17). 

    (2) Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
The Bible is God’s instruction book for our lives.  Have you ever noticed that everything the Bible tells us to not do is harmful for us?  Not only that, but everything the Bible tells us to do is beneficial for us.  What is equally amazing to me is that sooner or later secular science always ends up agreeing with the Bible (regarding healthy and unhealthy habits).  The reason why the happy person doesn’t take advise from the world is because the world is made up of amateurs!  We are a bunch of creatures trying to pretend that we are more than we are, that we know more than we do.  Most worry-some of all is we are creatures pretending that we have it all figured out.  God is the expert! He created us and wrote the instruction book for life (The Bible).  The real question here is “Which does it make more sense to follow an amateur or the expert?

    (3) He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
    Cyprus trees are known for strength and their resistance to rotting.  Ever thought about where they grow?  They grow next to the water. In searching for life on other planets, astronomers focus their search to find “water planets.” One thing that biologist agree on is water is the source of life!  Jesus speaking to the woman in John 4 used the term “living water” to illustrate it importance of our relationship with God.  The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “For My people have committed a double evil: They have abandoned Me, the fountain of living water, and dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) 
          The Bible is God’s instruction book for life, it connects us with the “streams of water” that God provides to us.  Streams which make us strong, that enable us to “bear fruit,” and keep us from withering away.    

    (4) The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
The Hebrew word translated into English here as “wicked” can also be translated into English as “criminal.”  Other translations use the word “ungodly” here. We may conclude that “the wicked” are those who disobey God’s law.  They are “wicked,” “ungodly,” “criminals,” in God’s eyes.  The same law that the “happy man” (see verse 1) delights in destroys those who violate it.   I have spend a lot of time counseling people regarding the dangers of certain substances or particular behaviors.  We need to be equally motivated to proclaim the truth about God’s ways and His mercy available for those who disobey His law.

    (5) Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
The Bible makes it clear in multiple and varied ways and in numerous locations, that God is reserving a “day of judgement” for HIS creation.  As followers of Christ we must believe that!  Knowing that judgement is coming, our love for people should compel us to tell others about Jesus and the grace offered through His sacrifice.     
               
    (6) For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
This Psalm began with statements about people who are happy and those who are not. It closes with one of the pursuits coveted by people, the pursuit of protection. God promises His protection and also His guidance for those who obey His instructions. The Bible is our instruction book for life.  The better we know it, what it says to do and to avoid, the better our lives become.  It is so obvious and so simple.