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Our Beliefs About the Bible Have Implications

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

What we believe about the Bible, specifically about its authority and main focus, has implications. As we will see, it affects our personal relationship with the Lord and also has implications for the way we serve.

Our Beliefs about the Bible Affect our Relationship with God

The following issues will affect the kind of relationship we have with God.

The Authority of the Bible – Can the Bible be trusted?

If the Bible truly is inspired by God and can be trusted, then we should find ourselves believing what it says, obeying its precepts, and following the principles laid out in it.

If we think the Bible is not completely God’s Word and cannot be fully trusted, then we have the option of following what it says and can pick and choose what to believe.

Focus & Theme of the Bible – What is the Bible about?

If we think the Bible is a religious book about man’s efforts to reconcile with God, then we will tend to take a more legalistic approach and depend more on ourselves than on Him. Life will be more centered around us and our accomplishments.

If we see the Bible as a love story about God’s efforts to reach man, then we will better understand grace and trust Him to work for our good even when we don’t understand life’s circumstances. Life will be centered more around God and His purposes.

What We Believe about the Word Has Implications for Ministry

These same issues will affect the way we serve in our various ministries and how we help other people find God.

The Authority of the Bible – Can the Bible be trusted?

Those sold out to the authority of the Bible have a standard that is reliable and that must be used as a filter in all decisions. Otherwise, ministry can quickly become everybody doing what is right in their own eyes which can only lead to inconsistencies and ineffectiveness.

Focus & Theme of the Bible – What is the Bible about?

Those seeing the focus of the Bible as God’s working will tend to get beyond the stories and commands to the God of Scripture who is the source and sustainer of life and the Savior of the world. Otherwise ministry could become about helping people to simply know what the Bible says and to follow a bunch of rules and regulations. We will have religion over relationship.

What Bible Teachers Need to Know About the Bible - Finding God

Click Below to Learn About a Worksheet for Bible Teachers:

What Bible Teachers Need to Know About God’s Word To Help Students Find God in the Scriptures

Ways for Adults to Memorize Scripture

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center

In a previous post giving a personal testimony about Scripture Memorization I wrote that I would give some ideas for how adults can memorize Scripture. Here’s a list of some ideas. You should be able to find something that fits you … your learning style, personality, etc. Incorporating variety into the way you memorize Bible verses should help keep it from getting boring, from being mere routine.

Ideas to Help Adults Memorize Scripture Verses

Use a Scripture memory system like the Navigators’ Topical Memory System or The MacArthur Scripture Memory System. (links will take you affiliate store)

Use music. There are plenty of Scripture memory songs for children out there. (The link will take you to our affiliate store.) Although designed for children, this music could be an easy way for us adults to learn as well. Scripture Release offers some free downloads of songs based on Scripture verses that are geared more for adults. Get creative and make up your own song using a Scripture verse for the lyrics.

Get some how-to books used for children’s ministry and make it fun for yourself using some of the game ideas suggested in them. One book in our affiliate store is 52 Ways to Teach Memory Verses. Who said adults can’t memorize verses using games and other activities?

Find an app for Scripture memorization for your phone or computer.

Put some rhythm into it. Say it with emphasis on different words or syllables, clapping or tapping to each word, etc.

Make symbols or draw pictures to represent words or phrases, either literally on paper or with mental images. Use these images to guide you through recall of the verse.

You’ll find eight more ways to memorize God’s Word in the Scripture Memorization Discipleship Guide. This resource also explores ten benefits of memorizing Scripture, as well as some tips, and also help making it age appropriate.

Scripture Memorization: A Personal Testimony

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

If you grew up going to church and/or Bible clubs, you’ve undoubtedly had some experiences with Scripture memorization. Following is my personal testimony of memorizing Scripture. It’s included in the Scripture Memorization Discipleship Guide along with some tips for memorizing Gods Word. That resource also explores benefits and means of Scripture memory.

The Experiences I Had with Memorizing Scripture

I remember the Scripture memory contests in Sunday School when I was a child. I recall many times cramming right before class so I could go in, say the verse, and get the prize. That’s as far as my memory goes on those verses. I also remember times when teachers were more creative in their approach and made it fun to learn the verses. We did it together, in class, sometimes for prizes but often not. Those are the verses I still remember.

Consequently when I began teaching children’s classes, and writing lesson plans incorporating Scripture memorization, like Children Learn to Worship using Psalm 100, I wanted to do it in ways that built positive attitudes toward memorizing Bible verses.

Ten helpful principles for teachers to do that are in the Effective Scripture Memorization Worksheet.

As I grew older physically into adulthood but also spiritually, I began to memorize verses that related to my life situations, sort of as a spiritual discipline, but more because I simply wanted to know them. I memorized for the intrinsic value of it, not for some extrinsic reward. What a difference!

The Means I Have Used to Memorize Verses

I have found that variety works best for me. And I like to have fun doing it. Why can’t memorizing Scripture be fun? I do believe the best way to memorize Scripture is to do what fits you … your learning style, your personality, etc. I’ll give some ideas in another post for how adults can memorize Scripture.

But, let me say that what helps me the most, and what I believe we all need to do, is to understand the meaning of the passage and not merely memorize the words. And, of course, much repetition and review has also been necessary.

If the Bible is God’s Word, Then What?

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

A previous post listed results from a Barna report on how young people today view the Bible differently from other generations. The fifth point was that they have . . . LESS ENGAGEMENT.

If the Bible is God’s Word, then we should want to be reading and studying the Bible.

If the Bible is not God’s Word, then it doesn’t need to be a priority in our lives.

Failing to engage oneself with God’s Word betrays people’s true heart toward it. Either they don’t believe it to be true or to be from God or they don’t understand its eternal benefit. Previous posts looked at its sacredness, accuracy, uniqueness, and origins. Let’s therefore consider some of the benefits:

revives our souls (Ps. 19:7)
makes us wise (Ps. 19:7)
gives us joy (Ps. 19:8)
helps us see clearly (Ps. 19:8)
prevents us from sinning (Ps. 119:11)
equips us for good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

The reason Scripture is so powerful and life-changing is because of its source. God-breathed words impart energy, strength, wisdom, joy, light, comfort, peace, grace, and so much more into our lives because HE is all these things. It’s about Him!

Consistent Bible Engagement Won’t Happen Without the Right Motivation Growing Out of a Belief that it is God’s Word

Have we been communicating the right message of the Bible?

The Bible is about God and His desire to have a relationship with man. Too often in preaching and teaching we make it about the stories or concepts. We need to get beyond precepts to the Person.

Have we been communicating the right reason for them to engage?

Give a good reason to study: not merely something they “should” do … to fulfill a duty, a spiritual discipline; not merely to learn about the Bible … to gain knowledge; but a means of connecting with the living God who loves them and wants their best … to nurture a relationship.

Have we been communicating the right outcome of engaging in God’s Word?

Will it merely lead to head knowledge or is there more to it? Have we been showing the life impacting results of God’s Word? It changes lives. Here’s a workbook to help teachers work toward this goal: Teaching for Changed Lives

The last point on the Barna Report is that young people do have a Bible appetite so let’s give them a reason to dig in.

Resources to help communicate how to study the Bible.

If the Bible is from God, Then What?

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

A previous post listed results from a Barna report on how young people today view the Bible differently from other generations. The fourth point was that they have a . . . SKEPTICISM OF ORIGINS.

If from God, then its words hold absolute authority and we are accountable.

If not from God but of man, then it words can be ignored and we can choose whether to believe or act upon it without consequence.

Difference It Makes If We Believe the Bible is from God or Some Other Origin

Divine origin changes everything. By definition, God is the one of whom there is none greater, none higher. If God authored the Bible, albiet through human writers, then it has supremacy over anything else, including our own opinions and lives.

The Bible describes itself as having divine origin. Consequently, if that part is a lie, then none of it can be trusted.

2 Timothy 3:16 refers to Scripture as “inspired by God” or “God-breathed”. Let’s back up: The verse says “ALL Scripture is inspired by God” … all parts.

1 Corinthians 2:11, 13 emphasizes the Spirit’s involvement, stating that it is not from human wisdom.

2 Peter 1:20-21 informs us that men were merely the instruments through whom God spoke. God spoke by His Spirit. Man recorded.

If God is not the author, then it would have to have been written by evil men or demons. Why? Because the claims within it to be from God would all be lies. But, the likelihood of evil men or demons writing a book that condemns themselves is unlikely. So, then, what is the origin of Scripture if not God?

Can we absolutely prove its divine origin? Probably not, but the evidence sure does stack up for it being from God.

1) fulfilled prophecies that man could not have made happen
2) historical facts proven to be true through archaeology
3) consistent theme and unity throughout the Bible unlikely if sourced by a variety of people
4) moral excellence of which is unlikely to find its origin in sinful, depraved man
5) indestructibility of the Bible through the years of which no other book so protected
6) ability to transform lives

In reality, skepticism of the origin of Scripture could be even deeper. Perhaps the question is more about God Himself. Is there a God out there who so loved the world that He left a written manuscript on how to come into a relationship with Him? Let’s make sure we are answering the underlying questions. Feel inadequate to answer these difficult questions? — Apologetics Resources

If the Bible is Unique, Then What?

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

A previous post listed results from a Barna report on how young people today view the Bible differently from other generations. The third point was that they hold to . . . MORE UNIVERSALISM .. which means it lacks uniqueness.

Many believe that the Bible “teaches the same spiritual truths as other sacred texts.” It is basically another way to say that all paths lead to the same place. So, is the Bible universal or unique?

If unique, then the Bible holds a unique message that must be viewed in a different light. And, it must be kept unadulterated or uncompromised.

If universal, then you can mix a little of this and a little of that and be okay. Hence, you develop a theology of your choosing.

Choosing if the Bible is Unique or Universal

To those who hold a more universal view of Scripture, my first questions would be, “Have you actually read through the Bible and compared it to the texts from other religions?” If you do, you will find that there are some fundamental differences that would inhibit a universal approach. Consequently, you must make a choice on which you will believe.

That leads to a series of questions:

Which text most answers the soul-searching questions about life … satisfies the seeking and fills the void?
Which text provides the most hope for immortality … assurance of life after death?
Which text offers the most rational view of the universe … why things are the way they are?
Which text gives the most meaning and significance to life … explaining the conflict between the ideals and reality?
Which text is the most systematically consistent … lack of contradictions?
Which text gives us a reliable standard of truth … not leaving us in a constant state of flux?

If you want people to understand the uniqueness of God’s Word:

1) Help them work through the above questions. Show them how the Word of God passes the test.

2) Provide resources that point out some of the fundamental differences of world religions and their texts.