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From the Pastor For the better part of my life I’ve been studying the Bible. I learned Bible stories in Sunday school. I dove deeper in Confirmation. I was a part of Bible studies as a young adult. I began to lead Bible studies as a camp counselor. In seminary, I was taught to study the word with a historical-critical method. As a pastor I’ve studied the Word in my personal devotions, in preparation for sermons and in preparation for leading Bible studies with youth and adults. As I’ve stated, I’ve been studying the Bible for the better part of my life. I’ve also been frustrated by the difficulty in getting other adults interested in studying the Bible for themselves. I’ve long since stopped begging and beating up my congregations when they failed to respond to my request to sign up for classes offered. I did so because it dawned on me that our entire system of education flies in the face of a "life-long learning process". We are used to sending our children to school expecting that there will be an end to their education. Whether it be graduation from high school, a vocational technical institution or college... we know that there is an end at which point we expect each individual to use what they have learned and to live their lives. Even individuals who continue on to receive Master and PhD degrees are expected to finally get a job. And, except for fields that expect a certain amount of continuing education, most live under the assumption that we learn it... then we use it. So if I’ve studied scripture for years, read the Bible through numerous times, been to any number of classes... when can I say "enough is enough?" Ah... but here is the rub. When it comes to studying the scriptures... it is never about just gaining knowledge or learning a set of skills. We believe that scripture is one of the chief ways God speaks to us throughout our entire lives. It is not learning the about the Bible that we are after... it is a deepening relationship with the author and perfecter of our Faith. God chooses to communicate with YOU through the study of the Bible. Each time we read it we should expect an encounter with God. So, once again, I am approaching yet another congregation and asking that you commit yourselves to joining a Bible study group, take an online course, pick up a commentary at your local Christian bookstore or, at the very least, that you pick up your Bible, dust it off, and start reading. I won’t beg and I won’t beat you up if you don’t. I’ll just say... "If you don’t study the Word..you’re missing out".
Grace and Peace, August 2010 Pastor's Corner |