Posts Tagged ‘40 days in the Word’
Many of us have had the experience of opening the Bible to read and then having our minds wander to a thousand things. Perhaps you have finished reading an entire chapter, reading all the words, and then gotten to the end and not even remember anything you just read. That is not a disease, it is just a common problem. But how do you study a passage of Scripture and really get something out of it? How do you understand what the real meaning of the verse or paragraph really is?
Rick Warren says, “The secret of dynamic bible study is knowing how to ask the right kinds of questions.” In fact, the more questions you ask, the more you can actually learn from the passage. Learning how to ask these questions will have a side benefit of actually giving you a more inquisitive mind. The problem is that often we come to the Bible with a preconceived idea of what the passage already says, so why bother to concentrate on it? After all, we already know what it means. But do you know ALL it means?
“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.” D. L. Moody
In his book, “Bible Study Methods,” Rick Warren gives 12 distinct methods of Bible study. These are not original with him, but he at least gives a “how to” description of each. The 12 methods he lists are:
• The Devotional Method
• The Chapter Summary Method
• The Character Quality Method
• The Thematic Method
• The Biographical Method
• The Topical Method
• The Word Study Method
• The Book Background Method
• The Book Survey Method
• The Chapter Analysis Method
• The Book Synthesis Method
• The Verse-by-Verse Method
One of the great differences between reading the Bible, which every Christian needs to do, and studying the Bible, is using a pen or pencil. That may be oversimplified, but when you study the Bible, you are making notes, underlining things, writing down references, writing down observations, and applications, etc. When you write things down you tend to remember them better and also tend to think them through better. Writing makes us think.
On January 15, our church will begin “40 Days In The Word.” My goal and hope is that we will have 100% participation. We will need between 75 and 80 small group hosts or hostesses who are willing to have a small group. The materials are DVD driven with a workbook, so it does not require a lot of preparation time to be the group host or facilitator. We will begin soon to recruit our 40 Days Team, and our 40 Days Hosts. Please be in prayer about what the Lord will want you to do.
I really believe that this study has the potential to change our lives and our church for the positive more than anything else we can do. Remember, the Bible was not written to satisfy our curiosity, but to change our lives.
You Are Loved,
Bro. Kelly
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Biblical Illiteracy: Admitting the problem is only the beginning.
We all know that the majority of Americans are biblically illiterate. That simply means that people are not familiar with even the most basic information about the Bible. The problem is so well acknowledged that comedians like Jay Leno and Stephen Colbert love to poke fun of us. Not long ago, Jay Leno asked his live audience if they could name one of the 10 Commandments. One answered, “God helps those who help themselves” (not even in the Bible). He asked if they could name one of the New Testament apostles. Again, no one could, (sounds like he needs a better audience) but when he asked if they could name the members of the Beatles, the names rolled out swiftly, “George, Paul, John, and Ringo.” (Clayton Hardiman, Religion News Service)
Only 2 of 10 people who took part in a recent Gallup survey were able to correctly identify who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Jesus), said David Eikenberry, youth pastor at Orchard View Congregational Church in Muskegon, Michigan. “Typically, people could name only three or four of the Ten Commandments,”
Time magazine pointed out in a 2007 article from their cover that only one half of U.S. adults could name one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Fewer than half could identify the first book of the Bible (Genesis).
It is no surprise that a 2004 Gallup poll revealed that only 37 percent of teenagers can find the quotation from the Sermon on the Mount when they were given four choices (multiple choice). Only 44 percent of born-again teenagers could do the same, which comes as no shock to those who work with our youngest generation. (Christianity Today, May 2010)
It is one thing to revere the Bible, but it is another thing to read the Bible.
It is one thing to appreciate the Bible but it is another thing to apply the Bible.
I am not pointing out these statistics so that those who know the Word of God can sit back and smugly say, “I’m glad I’m not like that.” Sincere followers of Christ are heart-broken by these facts and long for people to know God’s word. Paul asked the question, “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” Then he reminded us “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:14,17).
There are long term and short term solutions to the problem. And until we personalize the problem, we will never solve the problem.
A good friend recently reminded me of how she was saved as a child, but did not attend church until as an adult she renewed her commitment to Christ. She was committed to following Christ, but did not know His Word. A friend in her Sunday school class brought her a children’s Bible story book and told her she had some “catching up” to do. She got started right away. It was a short term solution. Something that simple can make a huge difference.
A long term approach to overcoming biblical illiteracy is to learn how to “study” the Bible for yourself. In January, our church will participate with about 40,000 churches around the country in “40 Days In The Word.” This 40 day experience will help every believer to love the Word, learn the Word, and live the Word. I have been through this material and I know that you will love it.
Your fellow pilgrim,
Bro. Kelly
PS For more information about “40 Days In The Word” go to http://www.saddleback.com/40ditw/
