Bible knowledge -- required?

[Helen]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

 

[TaliOrlando]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

Hosea 4:6 (New International Version)


6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
"Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children

 

[Chemnitz]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

We encourage our people to study the Bible, but unfortunately most of them are content to either do nothing or read vaccous books.

I do study the Bible, I also read what other people think. I find that a good commentary is worth its weight in Gold because it can point out things that I may have missed or keep me centered if I go off too far on my own.

 

[Scarlett O.]

My pastor encourages us all to read our bibles for our own selves. My senior adult Sunday School ladies do, I know, because I can tell when I teach them that they are versed.

I would hate it if my ladies depended on me as their teacher and our pastor as their preacher for their primary source of bible knowledge.

But many christians do depend on others for their bible knowledge. I did for a long time.

I'll confess, right here, that I am not as versed nor as read on the bible as I should be. And there is a difference between reading and studying and we should do both. Privately and corporately.

There is a group of about 30-40 of us at church who have just ordered the One-Year Chronological Bible. We'll probably have a class periodically to discuss what we read. We've done that a few times with the regular One-Year Bible.

It's was a good class, too. I suggest that some of you try it. A group of believers reading the One-Year Bible and meeting once a week, in person (not on the BB :laugh: ) to share what you have learned.

 

[J. Jump]

Well it's not hard to tell there isn't much Bible study going on, because a lot of what you hear even on this board is just repeat "proofs" of what they have been taught in the pulpit or in Sunday School. I know I myself was guilty of that for some time. People don't take seriously the charge to study thyself to show thyself approved. While God does use pastors and teachers to instruct us we should also be studying on our own and allowing the Holy Spirit to feed us directly so that we can test what we are taught with Scripture to see if it is indeed accurate. The Bereans are few and far between these days.

There is very little "Bible" study going on in the churches today its sad to say!

 

[SBCPreacher]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

I tell my church folks over and over again - if all the Bible study they get is my sermon(s) each week, that's not enough - and it isn't. I encourage them to study for themselves every day. I also encourage them not to simply take my word for what the Bible says, but check out what I say. I thought about intentionally saying something wrong, but I'm afraid most would just believe it because the preacher said it!

I find myself in the Bible every day - sometimes studying for the next messages, sometimes for my own reading and study. I wish I knew more about it, but that's another thing altogether.

 

[webdog]

Well it's not hard to tell there isn't much Bible study going on, because a lot of what you hear even on this board is just repeat "proofs" of what they have been taught in the pulpit or in Sunday School. I know I myself was guilty of that for some time.

You wouldn't happen to be talking about your ME view, now could you? If you are, your view is in the minority, my friend, and what has been taught from the pulpit and in Sunday school happens to be correct.

 

[J. Jump]

You wouldn't happen to be talking about your ME view, now could you? If you are, your view is in the minority, my friend, and what has been taught from the pulpit and in Sunday school happens to be correct.

No that was not the entirety of my post, but your animosity toward one of my beliefs has raised its ugly head again

I think there are a lot of things that are wrong with churches and Sunday Schools these days and the lack of teaching on the gospel of the kingdom is just one aspect of it.

I'm always curious about the "minority view" argument. Would you have continued to be one of the pharisees because Jesus and His "small" group of followers were in the "minority?"

I would say very rarely is the "majority" correct in Scripture. So for thousands of years God dealt with a "minority" yet you think there is something special about the "majority" now? That's odd at best.

So if you want to continue believing that what is preached from the pulpits across the world is 100% accurate and what is taught in Sunday School classes across the world is 100% accurate be my guest. Who am I to stop you

 

[webdog]

No that was not the entirety of my post, but your animosity toward one of my beliefs has raised its ugly head again

One of your beliefs? That's all you seem to talk about...

I'm always curious about the "minority view" argument. Would you have continued to be one of the pharisees because Jesus and His "small" group of followers were in the "minority?"

The pharisees weren't believers. I believe the point of the OP was regarding believers. The minority view amongst believers as a whole is ususally wrong, or else the Holy Spirit only works in the minority of believers.

I would say very rarely is the "majority" correct in Scripture. So for thousands of years God dealt with a "minority" yet you think there is something special about the "majority" now? That's odd at best.

...when dealing with believers (as in most of the letters in the NT), the majority prevails. It was the minority of believers that thought gnosticism, judaism going along with christianity was fine.

So if you want to continue believing that what is preached from the pulpits across the world is 100% accurate and what is taught in Sunday School classes across the world is 100% accurate be my guest.

Did I ever say that? You sure love putting words in others' mouths...
In regards to ME, I will continue to believe what the majority of christendom believes regarding that.

 

[Shiloh]

Good thoughts Helen. I know I don't study like I should however, we have two grandkids that took the banner home from the Victory Baptist Church in Staunton VA. youth meeting, I think four months in a row. They memorized Prov. ch 27,28,29 and 30 verbatim. They are 10 years old! I can brag on them a little.:applause: :thumbs:

 

[J. Jump]

One of your beliefs? That's all you seem to talk about...

And obviously it gets under your skin But yes that is just one aspect of Biblical doctrine. I believe all of the doctrines that the Bible teaches.

The pharisees weren't believers.

Well that is partially a correct statement. You are correct in that the majority of the pharisees, or saducees for that matter, were not believers in Jesus as the Christ, but unfortunately you have bought into some incorrect church tradition that says the pharisees were eternally damned. See that would be another one of those widely accepted, but incorrect teachings that gets spread through pulpits and Sunday School classes, and people buy into it hook, line and sinker before ever studying out the matter to see if in fact it is true or not.

And it's not true at all. It's a church tradition that does not line up with Scripture. There I talked about something other than the gospel of the kingdom. Happy now

I believe the point of the OP was regarding believers.

Well then let's define what believer means. Does believer mean eternally saved? I believe that is how the OP intened the word to be used, and if so then the pharisees are right up there in the mix.

The minority view amongst believers as a whole is ususally wrong, or else the Holy Spirit only works in the minority of believers.

Ah so now the minority is not always wrong, just wrong when you want it to be. I see how the game is played. And yes the Holy Spirit does deal in minority groups at time and that is especially true of the gospel of the kingdom today. People don't want to be accountable these days. They want to be able to believe just enough to get them in the door and then enjoy all the that this world has to offer as well. I know . . . I know . . . most of Christendom would say well they probably were just never saved, or they won't get any rewards at the judgement seat, but neither of those can be proven with Scripture either, so there are a couple of more non kingdom gospel topics that I have just discussed. Surely you are happy now aren't you

...when dealing with believers (as in most of the letters in the NT), the majority prevails.

No it didn't. Christendom was the minority for a great many years in the early stages. You have just chosen to leave out a large section of saved people from the discussion to make your own majority.

Broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there be that find it, but narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it. Sure sounds like the minority is on the money there! And that's not addressing unsaved and saved mind you.

Revelation 3 does a great job of explaining how the "majority" of the church will be in the last days. Doesn't sound like I want to be a part of the lukewarm majority. But thanks for the offer.

You sure love putting words in others' mouths...

What's that old saying . . . something . . . isn't that the pot calling the kettle black . . . something like that . . .

In regards to ME, I will continue to believe what the majority of christendom believes regarding that.

Suit yourself :wavey: Don't know why you would want to continue to believe something that can't be substantiated with Scripture, but to each his own I suppose.

 

[JamieinNH]

Hello Helen,

I study my Bible each and every day. I make notes of the scripture used in the service in Sundays and follow it up by reading the before and after to get the context.

I also like being here in the BB, because when someone brings something up, I go to the Word and see for myself and see if their conclusion<sp> is correct.

Also, our churchs has a lot of what they call Life Groups. It's small groups that meet in our members homes and each group has a theme, and there is quite a bit of studying the Word in them. Each quarter, there are anywhere from 12-16 different groups going on, and each of them are different.

Currently I am in a Life Group that is reading the Bible in 90 days. You wouldn't think you would get much out of it by reading it so fast, but it's amazing how the connections from each book in the Bible are starting to show when you read it through. The class has a DVD that goes with it, and we watch that, and there is a Professor that goes over the part we have just read and helps us build the bigger picture. After the DVD we discuss what we have read and it's always amazing to see what others have come away with, sometimes, it's comepletely different than me, or even something I had never though of.. It's a great class.

I have read the Bible in parts many times, but in reading it straight through, I am seeing things I never saw before.

So, to answer your question, yes, our church very much wants us to study and be in the Word other then just on Sunday. It's a great thing to study and learn more and more about God's grace and his plan.

Great question Helen! :thumbs:

Jamie

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Helen --

Our church (non-Baptist) strongly encourages individual & small group Bible study. Here are some of the ways we do this.

* Adult Sunday School classes
* Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)
* Small Groups
* Women in the Church small groups
* Wednesday Bible Studies
* TBS - Thursday night Bible Study

In addition, our church sponsors Miami International Seminary (www.mints.edu), and encourages members to take classes.

 

[AAA]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

I believe that we should study the bible to show our selves approved. I need help in that area myself. My childhood SBC preacher for over 20 years would rightly encourage us to read the bible, because our souls depend on the Word of GOD and NOT man made opinions. For EX: GOD says that we will be judged by the WORD, not man's ideas about the word.

As a preacher i have try to encourage people to study it, and I say to them: Read the WORD of GOD as if your life depended on it, because something more valuable then your life is at stake here, and that's your eternal soul!

The Word of GOD contains the only way to heaven, and it the WORD (JESUS) is that way...JN14:6!

:godisgood:

 

[BobRyan]

I have been astonished at how few people who say they are Christian actually know much of the Bible. Personally, it is my spiritual food and intend on getting quite fat, thank you!

Seriously now, I am curious whether in your church, or denomination, or religion, you are encouraged to actually read and study the Bible on your own.

And, if you are, do you?

Or do you prefer to read or learn what other people say or write ABOUT the Bible?

Human nature (and we are all human - yes?) is to simply accept what you are told - no matter what church you go to.

But in mine I would say that Bible study is encouraged and "yes" I have been known to study a book or two in Scripture.

Excellent topic! It strikes at the heart of the problems we have in Christianity today. Christians are in general not "people of the book" they are "people of tradition" and they are "people of popular belief".

Check out the thread on this section "James 2 exegesis or buthering the Bible" - where we look at full acceptance of "By grace saved through faith" in Eph 2 and try to find a "bible honest" way to embrace the text of James 2 "Saved by Works and not by faith alone".

for as much as a good solution was being proposed STILL the group slants back towards "SAVED while lost" and "saved by dead faith shared by demons" in its efforts to marry man-made-tradition to what is being stated in James 2.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[bmerr]

Helen,

bmerr here. The fact of denominationalism is proof of the wide-spread Biblical ignorance in the world. So much division, all rooted in what the Bible does not say. Sadly, many people don't know what the Bible says, but rely on the preacher to tell them what they need to hear. Truth be told, if more preachers actually told the people what they needed to hear, most congregations would likely shrink dramatically overnight!

Something I noticed awhile back, (first in myself, and shortly after in others), was that while most religious people know what they believe, very few know why they believe it, which is far more important, in my estimation.

Amos 8:11 speaks of a time when there would be a famine, "...not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD". Certainly during the Dark Ages, when the Papists kept the Bible chained to the pulpit, there was an excuse for such a famine. But in our day, there is no legitimate excuse for it, and yet it exists. It is simply due to laziness and a lack of respect for God's word that the masses are without knowledge of the truth.

Indeed, Bible knowledge is required (John 8:32), for the truth cannot make us free unless we know it. True unity, which Christ prayed for, can only be had if God's word is held as the absolute authority. It would require many to let go of long held beliefs, which is a hard thing to do, I've done it myself. Frankly, not many are willing to do so.

In Christ,

bmerr

 

[J. Jump]

Very true bmerr - very true!

 

[billwald]

Very few people read the Bible for themselves. They let Scofield or whomever read the Bible for them. Would not be surprised if in a thousand years Scofield's notes will be a part of Baptist canon.

 

[Dustin]

Ha, I just found my old Scofield study Bible a few days ago.

 

[hillclimber1]

Ha, I just found my old Scofield study Bible a few days ago.

For a study Bible, they don't get better than that one. IMHO
I do mean the Old original one.