A previous post listed results from a Barna report on how young people today view the Bible differently from other generations. The first point was that they see it as . . . LESS SACRED.
If sacred, then it is to be revered, seen as worthy of our devotion, something to be set apart from or above other writings.
If it is not as sacred, then it can be treated with less respect and can more easily be disregarded when inconvenient or when we don’t like what it says.
While we could point to Scripture about itself depicting its holy character, if people are skeptical about the veracity of the Bible and maybe even its origin, these verses will have little impact. Perhaps that is the starting point. If people become convinced of the “inspiration” of God’s Word, then they might find it more useful.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
How to Help People Understand that the Bible is Sacred
The context of 2 Tim. 3:16-17 shows how Timothy grabbed hold of such a view of Scripture — “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (vs. 14-15).
Note that the Apostle Paul didn’t just say “you have known the Scriptures.” Rather, he said “you have known the HOLY Scriptures.” How did Timothy acquire such a perspective?
Intentional Teaching – He “learned it.”
Being parented by Christians did not automatically make Him revere God’s Word. He was purposefully nurtured or trained in and about God’s Word.
Are we helping parents become disciplers of their own children?
> Resources for Training Parents
Are we helping teachers teach a lesson worth teaching purposefully based in God’s Sacred Word?
> Workbook for Training Teachers: A Lesson Worth Teaching
Incarnational Teaching – He learned it from those he knew who lived it.
Instruction would have been verbally communicated but in the context of real life. It was modeled instruction by those who held such a high view of Scripture themselves.
Are we ourselves convinced of the sacredness of God’s Word and treating it as such?
Do we open our lives before others, as parents, teachers, leaders, that they can see, not just hear, our respect and devotion to the Word?
Incremental Teaching – He learned it “from infancy.”
They did not wait to teach him until he was old enough to get a good grasp of the Word. They began the learning process in his earliest stage of development, as an infant, and continued “from” that point. They obviously believed that even babies can learn that God’s Word is special.
Are we as parents and nursery workers using those teachable moments to develop an appreciation for God and His Word?
Is the nursery routine more than babysitting?
> Workbook to Help Nursery Workers: Let the Little Children Come
I read a Barna report about how young people today take a different approach to the Bible than previous generations and I have to admit that as I look at the overall landscape, I do see it. Of course, not all young people hold this perception of the Bible but enough do that it should raise some questions.
