Bible in Schools

This week I had a second opportunity to teach an Enrichment class at a local Jr. High School. The 8th Grade boys and girls split into gender groups for a separate curriculum during one educational block. The boy’s teacher is using this time to connect the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian religions. This all falls under the curriculum guide of our state. He asked me to come speak to them about King Solomon for yesterday’s class time. By the way, I used a Bible in a public school and while I was there I noticed that some students were giving religious material to their classmates – the Bible is still in public schools.

I used this time (about 45 minutes) as a literature / history class. The teacher made sure that the students connected Solomon as David’s son (they had studied David earlier in the week). We then read, from the Bible, sections from Solomon’s life and from Ecclesiastes. We read about Solomon asking for wisdom and receiving added blessings from God. We read about Solomon and the two women who argued over a living infant. We read about Solomon’s search for fulfillment in all the things of the world and his conclusion that all is vanity and striving after the wind. There was a collective gasp when some learned for the first time that Solomon had 1,000 women at his disposal and seemingly all the wealth, power, and fame the world could offer at the time.

I took a literary approach and asked them for morals or lessons they learned from Solomon.  Below are the answers these 8th Grade young men in a PUBLIC school gave as lessons they thought they should put into practice.

• There are very few things in life that are really important.
• Love is very important.
• Family is very important.
• Food is important.
• Having a house is important.
• Jesus (God) is all that is really important.

And my favorite, from one of the young men near the back of the class,

• “What is really important is to have faith in God and Jesus.”

These were their lessons. Not mine. Great kids!

- Scott

Isaiah’s Hymn of Praise

You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
(Isa 12:1-6- ESV)

Praise God for the Salvation He Brings

• Though our rebellion angers Him, He offers comfort.
• God is our salvation and our strength
• Salvation from God is the source of joy in life.

Enlist Others to Praise God

• Give Thanks to God
• Call on His Name
• Let others know what God is doing and has done, so they too will praise Him.
• Great is the Lord!

As one of my instructors and mentors would say, “Boys, that’ll preach.”

- Scott

How to Study The Bible Pt 3 – Learning from Narrative

If the Bible is worthy reading and studying, we owe it to ourselves to know how to best study.  If the Bible is our guide to getting to know God and how to be faithful to Him, we definitely need to understand what we are studying.  Through this series of posts, we are striving to help all of us learn and grow as we take the Word of God to heart.  This is the third lesson in this series: you can find Part ONE here and Part TWO here.

Today, I want us to look at the genre of narrative or story.  The Bible contains a lot of narratives.  The books of Genesis, Exodus, Kings, Chronicles, Job, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Esther, Nehemiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts (and many others) all contain narrative and are mostly narrative.  How can we learn from stories about other people?  How can we find lessons, morals, and applications from the lives of people who lived thousands of years ago?

In my graduate classes Dr. Bailey introduced us to a set of six questions that I find useful when reading and applying narratives. These questions help the reader to become a part of the story and not simply a distance observer.  In an effort to help you see the value of these questions turn to Genesis 37.  Take a moment to read these 36 verses.  This introduces us to Joseph the dreamer and favorite of his father, Jacob.  We meet his brothers and learn of the entire family’s situation in life.  We also see how Joseph’s brothers treat him and lie about him to their father.

Now read it again or think about what you read and answer the following FIRST REACTION QUESTIONS:

1. Did I enjoy this story?  (Every time I ask this question I get strange looks.  Not every narrative in the Bible is enjoyable.  If I do not like this story or part of this story, there is a reason.  I can use this opportunity to reflect on who I am.)  For this story (Joseph)  I do not like that his brothers mistreat him, sell him into slavery, and deceive their father. Neither do I like that Jacob seems to play favorites.  What about you?
2. How does this story remind me of life in the world today?  (The narratives in the Bible are not fiction.  As real events, they are about real people and real problems.  Look for similarities to the world we live in.  These stories are timeless.) In Genesis 37 I see that some people talk too much and brag about their lives.  This can get them in trouble with family and friends. Do I have the tendency to be this way?  If so, how do people receive me? What do they think about me?  How can I change? I also see how not to react to people who seem to brag.  What do you see in this story?
3. How would I react (or what would I do) if I were ______________________? (Insert a character from the story.) If I were Jacob, I would hope I would not have a favorite.  I hope I would investigate further before accepting my son’s explanation of why Joseph is missing. But more than likely, I would react very similar to Jacob. It is your turn . . .
4. What morals or lessons can I learn from this story? (Now we are starting to apply the story to our lives.) What lesson(s) do you draw from Genesis 37?
5. How is this story disconcerting? How does it bother me?  (This takes question one deeper and forces you to think about the protagonists in the story and why they affect you.) Joseph’s arrogance has always bothered me.  I suppose because I can see many of my own faults in him.  I tend to talk way too much and share way too much about myself.  I do not mean to brag and think I am just opening up and conversing, but through the years I noticed that this puts many people off.  Everything worked out for Joseph, but if you read about his stand before Pharaoh, you notice that Joseph is quick to give God credit for interpreting dreams – for Joseph it is no longer about Joseph but about God.  I am reminded of Paul saying he would not boast in anything but Christ and Him crucified.  What in the story bothers you?  Why?
6. How will I change because of this story? (The rubber finally meets the road with this question.) My answers: Learn to stay quiet and let others speak.  Learn to share only what is necessary.  Help people to know God and Christ.  Do not sell your brothers to travelling traders . . . (this was important when we were all living at home).

Keep studying!

- Scott

How to Study the Bible Pt 2: Context

“Context is key.”  I can still hear my instructors and professors in my Bible classes at Faulkner University saying that over and over and over.  They are right, “Context is key!”  Anyone can take a single verse or a collection of verses from the Bible and make a point.  The point or lesson may or may not be valid or worse even an accurate observation. Critics of the Bible are good at pulling various verses out of context to attempt to disprove the Bible. Those of us who claim to be Christians can also be guilty of pulling verses out of context to prove our arguments.

What follows is an example that I am using to show how someone can misuse the Bible.  It is an extreme example of pretexting or eisegesis.  (** WARNING  **  What you are about to read is incorrect, even if the words are straight from the Bible.  DO NOT follow the instruction I am about to give you.)

” . . . he departed, and he went and hanged himself.” Matt 27:5b

” . . . You go, and do likewise.” Luk 10:37b

” . . . What you are going to do, do quickly.” John 13:27b

Without the context of each verse one might believe that Jesus wants him to commit suicide quickly.  AGAIN — this is NOT what these verses teach!  However, if I can pull verses to supposedly say that, what else can I twist scripture to say, intentionally or not?

That is why “context is key.”  When considering context, look at the verse with the following in mind:

• Where does this fit in the theme of the Bible?
• What is the book that this verse (passage) is in, and what is this book about?
• What does this specific section (group of chapters) in this book teach?
• What does the thrust of this entire chapter relate about this verse?
• What is the topic of the paragraph around this verse?
• What do the verses immediately before and after say?
• Who is speaking? Does this person speak for God, himself, mankind, or the devil?
• Who are they speaking too?  Does this have a specific message for  specific person (or group of people)?
• Why are these words said?

Another hint at context is the genre of the book, section, or chapter.  Genre will help determine how I apply or what I learn from a verse or group of verses. Is this verse or passage from:

• Command(s)
• Narrative
• Figurative language
• Poetry

This is enough to digest today.

Keep reading, keep studying, keep learning, and keep growing.

- Scott

How to Study the Bible Part 1 – Read

A few weeks before I took my break from posting, a regular reader asked if I could write about how to study the Bible. They said, as a young adult they are used to studying (cramming) for tests in college and often  they find themselves studying the Bible in a similar way. They study for Bible Class, study for Bible Bowl, study so they could prove a point to their friends or even parents, so like many of us, they feel like they are “hit and miss” with their Bible study. So the question remains, how does one study the Bible?

Start by simply reading the Bible the way you would any book. This starts by purchasing a Bible you will read.  Some versions are more cumbersome than others by virtue of the style of language.  Find a version that you can easily read, then:

• Read in canonical order, that is the order the books are in a standard version.
• Read in chronological order. There are various lists online and a couple of printed Bibles that put the events it what many scholars consider the order they happened in.
• Read the books by groups in types.  There are books of Law, History, Poetry, and Prophecy.

Remember that the Bible is more than a textbook on how to get to heaven. It is more than a list of facts to memorize or points to win arguments. The Bible is a story from Genesis through Revelation; a story covering thousands of years of history. The Bible is God’s story: the story of how He loves man, the story of how He reveals Himself to man, the story of how He provides a way for lost man to come to know Him and be eternally with Him.  While you read, look for God in His word.

Next Thursday we will look at the importance of understanding context as we study the Bible.

- Scott

Comfort from God’s Word

Today I have a guest blogger – The Holy Spirit.  These are God’s words without editing.  I am simply letting God speak words of comfort to you today:

via Crossmap Images

God’s Word of Comfort

Gen 16:13 – So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Gen 28:16 -  Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Num 6:24-26 – “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Deut 33:27 – The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.

Josh 23:14 – ” . . . not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

2Sa 12:23 – But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

2Ch 13:18 – Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers

Psalm 23

Psa 31:5 – Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Psa 33:20 – Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psa 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 55:22 – Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psa 63:6-7 – when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psa 100:3  Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psa 121:1-2 -  A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Isa 26:3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Hab 3:17-19 – Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.

Mt 10:29-31 – Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Mt 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jn 11:25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

Jn 11:35 Jesus wept

Jn 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  (cf 14:1ff)

Rom 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Rom 8:31  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Cor 15:55-58 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

2 Cor 1:3-4 -  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Cor 4:16 – 5:1 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Php 4:19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Heb 4:9  So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,

Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 6:19  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

1 Pt 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1Pe 3:12 – For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

1Pe 5:7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Rev 21:4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Ps 73:28 – “But for me it is good to be near God;”

Seven Things

Jehoshaphat was not jumpy.  Jehoshaphat was steady.  This king of Judah heavily relied on God. The chronicler records, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. (2Ch 17:3-4).”

Later we read of enemies forming an alliance to go up against Judah and Jehoshaphat in battle.  When word comes to the king, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (2Ch 20:3-4).”

God sends Jehoshaphat a seven-fold answer.  These seven points were vital to Judah’s success and I find them to be just as applicable today. “And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” (2Ch 20:15-17)” (underlined for emphasis – BSMc).

Did you see the seven things – I underlined them to make it easier.  Here they are in a list:

1. Do not be afraid.
2. Do no be dismayed (don’t worry).
3. The battle belongs to the Lord.
4. Stand firm.
5. Hold your position.
6. See the salvation of the Lord.
7. The Lord is with you.

In the words of one of my mentors and instructors, Wendell Winkler, “Boys, that’ll preach!”

- Scott

Bible Quiz, How Will You Do?

That's me in the coat and tie

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I had the wonderful experience of being a Moderator (Quiz Master) for the Walker County Quiz Bowl.  I asked questions to 9 groups of 5/6th grade teams and 9 groups of 7/8th grade teams from across the county.  There were 5 rounds each grade grouping on Monday and 4 rounds on Tuesday.  Each round consisted of 25 toss up questions and bonus questions.  The quizzes covered topics like art, science, literature, sports, games, math, history, geography, television, and religion (including knowledge of Bible stories and traditional hymns).  Did I tell you this was a Public School Quiz Bowl?

I think it is important to mention these public school children did better on the religion, specifically Bible, questions than they did on the geologic time-table questions that had their basis in the theory of evolution.  So much for many people’s claims that public schools are brain-washing our children against the Bible and toward Evolutionary Theory.

I also think you need to know, I am not smarter than a fifth grader.  These children are very intelligent.  If you think our public schools are not doing a good job, meet me at Quiz Bowl next year.  But for now here is a test for you.  Do you know what the Bible says?  Below are 30 statements that may or may not be in the Bible.  Without the aid of a concordance or Bible software, check which of the following statements are from the Bible, give yourself bonus points if you know book, chapter, and verse.  The answers are below the test (no cheating).

1. All men are created equal.
2. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
3. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
4. Give the devil his due.
5. God’s mill grinds slow but sure.
6. Blood is thicker than water.
7. Lord, what fools these mortals are.
8. The time is out of joint.
9. Bread is the staff of life.
10. Familiarity breeds contempt.
11. God moves in mysterious ways.
12. God helps those who help themselves.
13. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
14. Charity begins at home.
15. All’s well that ends well.
16. As you make your bed, you must lie in it.
17. Beauty is only skin deep.
18. Sweet are the uses of adversity.
19. The gift without the giver is bare.
20. Better half a loaf than no bread.
21. United we stand, divided we fall.
22. A liar will not be believed even when he speaks the truth.
23. Confession is good for the soul.
24. There is none so blind as those who will not see.
25. Neither a borrower or lender be.
26. Honesty is the best policy.
27. I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
28. Stolen water are sweet.
29. I invited Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.
30. Do to others what they do to you.

Did you find all the Bible passages?  How many did you find?  15? 10? 5? 2?  The correct number is two.  If you missed them they are found in Job 19:20 and Proverbs 9:17.

- Scott

Seven Benefits

In Psalm 19, the psalmist gives honor to God’s Word.  He lists a number of things that students of God’s word gain from spending time in diligent study.

1. God’s word converts the soul – Ps 19:7.
2. God’s word make wise the simple – Ps 19:7.
3. God’s word makes the heart rejoice – Ps 19:8.
4. God’s word give light to the eyes – Ps 19:8.
5. God’s word serves as a warning – Ps 19:11-13.
6. God’s word offers reward – Ps 19:11
7. God’s word promotes a prayerful perspective – Ps 19:14.

Spend time in God’s word – TODAY!

- Scott

note: I am indebted to Jeff Jenkins for running a similar list in  a bulletin 25 years ago.

Ten Reasons to Read the Bible

Ten Reasons to Read the Bible

10. Great literature in differing literary genres.

9. Narratives of people like you.

8. See how others dealt with life.

7. The Bible knows drama and suspense (Esther comes to mind).

6. Battles and warfare.

5. Lessons to help you be a better spouse and parent.

4. Valuable examples of what to do and what NOT to do in certain situations.

3. Learn about God.

2. Learn about Jesus as Christ.

1. Learn what you need for life and godliness.

When you read stories in the Bible, they are more that just myth, they are narratives of the lives of people who faithfully followed and sometimes failed to follow God.  Read with the intent of learning from their successes and failures.  There are six questions I asked myself as I read the Bible, especially the narrative sections.  I believe that if you honestly answer these questions and follow through with the answers you will go a long way toward improving your life.

1. Why did I enjoy this story?

2. What in this story is disconcerting to me?

3. How does this event (do these events) remind me of real life?

4.  If I were ___________ in this story, how would I react or respond?

5. What lessons or morals can I learn from this narrative?

6. What changes am I going to make in my life based on what I am reading and learning?

- Scott