Old Pop-Culture Bible Study

[Shortandy]

I am not sure if anyone has posted some thoughts on this before so if this is repeat I am sorry.

A few days ago I went to my local Lifeway to look for some bible study helps. As I was looking I saw something that I thought was a joke at first. A Andy Griffith Bible study. There was also one for I Love Lucy, Beverly Hillbillies, and Giligan's Island.

I slamed this from the pulpitt yesterday and then I was approached by a lady from my church who informed me that she loved it and that the previous pastor had taken them through two of the studies.

I am just curious as to what you guys think about "studies" like these.

 

[donnA]

I haven't seen one myself, so I can't be for sure whats in them. I have talked with people who've done one, and a couple of years ago it was discussed here (never hurts to bring it back in a few years, new people and all). Personally I wouldn't do one of these studies. I do not think they're a good idea. Why can't we just study the bible, seems this si missing a lot now a days, even in some so called bible studies it's hard to find the bible.

 

[tinytim]

I like them.. The church I was at before this one used the Andy Griffith one for VBS Adult classes...

They are similar to modern day parables... using them as illustrations to point to a Heavenly truth.

I even use some of the stuff as well as some movie clips in sermons, to illustrate a Bible point.

Of course the Bible is central, but some times you need that extra special illustration.. to show your point.

All preachers use illustrations.. Jesus did... using technology to enhance the illustration can only help make the point.. as long as it is not "overdone".. but even preachers that only use words to verbally paint a picture sometimes get carried away.

 

[tinytim]

Here is my favorite place to get movie clips. http://wingclips.com/cart.php

I am sure some will complain about this, but oh well.. It's not like I use them every sermon.. (maybe one sermon in 2 months).. but when I need a certain illustration, and am struggling, this is one place resource.

 

[FlyForFun]

I like them.. The church I was at before this one used the Andy Griffith one for VBS Adult classes...

They are similar to modern day parables... using them as illustrations to point to a Heavenly truth.

I even use some of the stuff as well as some movie clips in sermons, to illustrate a Bible point.

Of course the Bible is central, but some times you need that extra special illustration.. to show your point.

All preachers use illustrations.. Jesus did... using technology to enhance the illustration can only help make the point.. as long as it is not "overdone".. but even preachers that only use words to verbally paint a picture sometimes get carried away.

Hmmm....

Here's my problem with "Classic TV" studies...

These were TV SHOWS!!!!!!!

They may have been funny and may have had a few good points, but at bottom these were actors peddling soap, beer, and cigarettes living Hollywood lives and wrapping up all life's problems in 23 minutes.

It also provides a false image that "Back then everything was ok...."

It wasn't.

Second, I rarely use TV or movies for illustrations, and when I do, it's never the story, but rather some lines from Lord of The Rings.

Here's where I think a Preacher needs to mine the deep well of his own experience to make it real for his listeners -- otherwise it's all about "out there" in some mystical, magical world we both suspect isn't attainable.

 

[sag38]

Fly for Fun going back in time is not really the point of these Bible studies. They are used for illustration. They are not used for preaching. They are used for teaching. More so, they make good ice breakers for beginning conversation leading into deeper study where Andy, the Hillbillies, etc. are left behind. At least that's how I've used them in the past.

 

[FlyForFun]

Fly for Fun going back in time is not really the point of these Bible studies. They are used for illustration. They are not used for preaching. They are used for teaching. More so, they make good ice breakers for beginning conversation leading into deeper study where Andy, the Hillbillies, etc. are left behind. At least that's how I've used them in the past.

That may be, but then you are only connecting with a certain demographic.

The Bible is timeless.

The Beverly Hillbillies definitely show their age.

 

[preachinjesus]

A Andy Griffith Bible study. There was also one for I Love Lucy, Beverly Hillbillies, and Giligan's Island.

Wow, these are old shows. You'd think they'd have something newer...but alas it is Lifeway...

I am just curious as to what you guys think about "studies" like these.

I don't mind (except these are so old that they don't connect for our people) because it uses a common point of connection and story that has been produced at a high level to draw people into studying the Scriptures. That is important.

We all use some kind of illustrative draw to pull people into the Scriptures. It is just a matter of degrees.

Not too long ago I led a Bible study for a group of people who were outsiders to our church (many hadn't attended a church in years) and used The Simpsons to draw them into conversation. It was really effective.

I don't mind them, they can be really helpful...these above are just so old.

 

[Amy.G]

Of course the Bible is central, but some times you need that extra special illustration.. to show your point.

Why? When did the Bible become powerless that we need to enhance God's word with "extra special illustrations"?

What do TV shows have to do with God's word?

 

[donnA]

God's word is powerful, God makes it so, never will it be without power, never will it be out dated so as it needs updating with tv to get 'moderen' man to understand it. It's the same God with the same words. People are lazy today, they need entertaining. And thats all this is.

 

[just-want-peace]

WOW!!!

If I'm understanding some of these replies, one should use the Bible, and ONLY the Bible,when doing a Bible study. Hopefully I'm mis-reading the intent, but if not----!

What makes using a scene from a TV show, that illustrates a given teaching point, any more "not depending on", and/or "replacing or adding to" scripture, than using a personal experience makes it about you, and not scripture??

Of course the potential is there for mis-use, but the bottom line is WHY you are using the illustration.

There was certainly nothing overtly "spiritual" about all the farming terms Christ used, but it enabled His points to be better understood by the common folk. Was that wrong??

 

[Amy.G]

God's word is powerful, God makes it so, never will it be without power, never will it be out dated so as it needs updating with tv to get 'moderen' man to understand it. It's the same God with the same words. People are lazy today, they need entertaining. And thats all this is.

You are exactly right. People are lazy. They don't want to go deep in the Word because it takes time and effort.

In our SS class, we use only the Bible. When the pastor preaches, he uses only the Bible. Are we missing out on something? What more is needed?

I am amazed at the number of people who have been in church all their lives who are biblically illiterate.

 

[FlyForFun]

WOW!!!

If I'm understanding some of these replies, one should use the Bible, and ONLY the Bible,when doing a Bible study. Hopefully I'm mis-reading the intent, but if not----!

What makes using a scene from a TV show, that illustrates a given teaching point, any more "not depending on", and/or "replacing or adding to" scripture, than using a personal experience makes it about you, and not scripture??

Of course the potential is there for mis-use, but the bottom line is WHY you are using the illustration.

There was certainly nothing overtly "spiritual" about all the farming terms Christ used, but it enabled His points to be better understood by the common folk. Was that wrong??

You're not catching the argument.

Some would argue we need to start with Old TV shows, movies, comic strips -- whatever -- so we can "connect" with people.

But far too often the story becomes the message, when what people desperately want and need to hear is the truth from God's Word.

When we consider how little time we have to study the Word togther, isn't every wasted moment a travesty?

Sorry -- I don't buy that we "need" to reference Barney Fife to "connect" -- people know exactly what we're talking about when we mention the grave and sin and love and reconciliation.

Besides, no illustration connects better than one you yourself have lived through. These third-party experiences dull the impact.

 

[Amy.G]

WOW!!!

If I'm understanding some of these replies, one should use the Bible, and ONLY the Bible,when doing a Bible study. Hopefully I'm mis-reading the intent, but if not----!

Why not use only the Bible? What is it lacking? Study aides are fine, like dictionaries, concordances or commentaries, but they are certainly not comparable to TV shows.

What makes using a scene from a TV show, that illustrates a given teaching point, any more "not depending on", and/or "replacing or adding to" scripture, than using a personal experience makes it about you, and not scripture??

Jesus already gave examples. Are yours better than His?

Of course the potential is there for mis-use, but the bottom line is WHY you are using the illustration.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with using an illustration or personal experience, but we're talking about using TV based study guides in our bible study in this thread.

There was certainly nothing overtly "spiritual" about all the farming terms Christ used, but it enabled His points to be better understood by the common folk. Was that wrong??

His illustrations related to the everyday life of His listeners. They could understand it because it was a real part of their lives. TV shows are fantasy. It has no relevance whatsoever on our personal lives and experiences.


It's possible that I am overly sensitive about this issue because of the false teachings that I have encountered at my own church. These false teachings did not come from the Bible, but came from men and women who teach these things and write books about their "revelations" and the biblically illiterate swallow it whole because they don't know what the truth is. This is why the church is in such a mess today. If people would go back to the Bible and nothing more and spend time daily reading and studying, there would not be the mass false teaching that is so prevalent today.

 

[FlyForFun]

... the biblically illiterate swallow it whole because they don't know what the truth is. This is why the church is in such a mess today. If people would go back to the Bible and nothing more and spend time daily reading and studying, there would not be the mass false teaching that is so prevalent today.

Absolutely, positively spot-on.

well said.:thumbsup:

 

[OldRegular]

You are exactly right. People are lazy. They don't want to go deep in the Word because it takes time and effort.

In our SS class, we use only the Bible. When the pastor preaches, he uses only the Bible. Are we missing out on something? What more is needed?

I am amazed at the number of people who have been in church all their lives who are biblically illiterate.

You are so correct. Most church members are Biblically illiterate. That is because a lot of preachers preach what I call a 15 minute Rotary Club sermon, not an exposition of Scripture. The SBC SS literature is woefully inadequate. Furthermore, they are also perfectly willing to use anything that is introduced into both the worship service and Bible Study classes no matter how asinine. However, I suspect that most church members are very knowledgeable about the passage that says "Judge not that you be not judged".

I taught SS for many years. In the early years I used the SS literature only as a source for the Scripture. In the later years I used nothing but the Bible, studying one book for however long it took.

 

[FlyForFun]

I taught SS for many years. In the early years I used the SS literature only as a source for the Scripture. In the later years I used nothing but the Bible, studying one book for however long it took.

I went through the same evolution -- and heartily glad I did. For my sake and for the sake of those in the class.

Besides, one more "Marriage enrichment!" curriculum and I was gonna brain someone...

:BangHead:

 

[Amy.G]

I taught SS for many years. In the early years I used the SS literature only as a source for the Scripture. In the later years I used nothing but the Bible, studying one book for however long it took.

Years ago in our previous church, our SS used Lifeway's Master Work series (I think it was Master work). It was pitiful. It was baby food. I was so glad to stop that kind of study, which is really no study at all.

 

[tinytim]

I guess some here condemns their preachers when they use an illustration from everyday life to make a point.

It is called Application... Teaching the Bible is useless unless you show the people how to apply the biblical principles to everyday life... That is what a good illustration is for.

Before you condemn preachers or teachers for using illustrations, read a good homiletics textbook....

Jesus used illustrations... i.e. sparrows, parables, flowers, towers falling on people...
Paul used illustrations... the false god on mars hill...

Instead of condemning technology that is being used to connect everyday people with the timeless principles of the Word of God.. everyone should be applauding it.

But no... Preachers that are reaching the masses by technology are being condemned by people that have no idea what proper homiletics is.

Make the point
Prove the point
Apply the point....

That is a summation....

In order to apply the point... illustrations are helpful

Also, many learn from different styles... in order to be effective, we need visual, verbal, and hands-on.... ALL TYPES ARE FOUND IN THE BIBLE.

Jesus used visual... "consider the lillies"
He used verbal, "there was a man....
He used hands-on.. .making mud to put on a blindman's eyes..

Stop condemning what God is using.. .or risk being on the side of Satan.

 

[exscentric]

"Teaching the Bible is useless unless you show the people how to apply the biblical principles to everyday life..."

I would encourage you to think awhile on that one and include some thought to the Holy Spirits ability to lead believer priests :thumbs:

On the other hand if they can use Harry Potter for Sunday School, I'd say that Andy Griffith would be much better :tongue3: Now Gilligans - not sure how much attention you are trying to get but Ginger is the one to do it :thumbsup: Old Jebs yongin might draw some good attention as well.

Seems to me if the Word can't stand on its own I might want to start looking for another religion with something a little more authoritative.