If you struggle with what the Bible means for you, you’ve come to the right blog. The next four weeks I’m going to share some tools I have used over the years to “accurately handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
I was about 20 years old and a fairly new Christian looking for a place to help out with the youth group at our church.
“Could you help out in our junior high Sunday School class?” the pastor asked.
“Sure,” I said. I had never done any ministry before. In fact, I had never been in Sunday School class. This seemed like a great place to help out and learn more about the Bible.
My first day in class as a helper was quite memorable (to say the least). Right after class the teacher told me that it was his last day teaching and thanked me for taking his spot. For a moment I am sure my eyes told the story of terror as I struggled to maintain my thoughts. I started to wonder, “Is this a trick they play on all the new guys?” I had to play it off so these new students would think I had this all together. Surely they couldn’t tell I had no idea what I was doing…right?
On my way into class I was a helper. On the way out I was the teacher.
I really had only two “minor” concerns:
- I had never been in a Sunday School class.
- I had never taught anything. I mean…anything at all. Much less a Sunday School lesson.
Those poor students. The truth is, we all learned a lot together over the next 10 years. It was an honor to teach most of them through middle school, high school, and into college.
Over those years one common theme seemed to prevail.
Christians are often intimidated by the Bible.
That’s why I am going to take the next four blog posts to share some tips I’ve learned about how to make your Bible reading more effective and less intimidating.
To kick it off, I’m going to give the highlights of the next four weeks. Here are the tools I will share . . . there is a special “fifth tool” that I’ll share after that.
- Observation (What does it say?): You have to read it. I’ll share several tips and practices I’ve used to make this easier over the years.
- Interpretation (What does it mean?): Many people say they simply can’t understand the Bible. If that’s you, you’re in luck. I said the same thing. This post will give you some tools I use to get a grasp on this.
- Application (What does it tell me?): What are some helpful ways, and appropriate ways, to apply the scripture. I will also share some cautions along the way.
- Communication (How would I share it?): The truth is, we learn a lot better if we teach someone else or talk about what we have learned. I’ll share how I have done this over the years. I think that will help you as well.
Look forward to next week’s post!
Love and blessin’s,
David