Series: Walking in the Way of Jesus... "Learning"

Sunday Sept 30, 2012                                  Duet. 6:1-9, Jn. 14:23-27

At Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio, the congregation was asked to respond to some questions on a 3 x 5 card. The first question was, 'What first attracted you to Trinity?' Seven-year-old Jennifer spelled out her one-word answer in the large letters of one just learning to print: 'God.'

When the question was posed, 'What is your prayer for Trinity?' eight-year-old Matthew wrote, 'That they will always be here to help other people.'

Trinity's pastor then said: It seems the kids are teaching us what it means to be church.

Prayer

We’re half way thru our series; “Walking in the Way of Jesus… 6 values of discipleship/followership. These 6 values become the model of what ministry should be about, and I believe the model that empowers mission ministry, and fosters a greater relationship with Jesus. Over the past 2 weeks we’ve reflected on the importance of Prayer and why it should be a value to the faith community. Being a community of prayer is how that community discerns what God is calling them to be about. Last week we focused on the value of “Worship” and the importance of worship being the element of giving rather than getting. That worship is our complete devotion to a loving and grace-filled God.

Today our focused value is; “Learning” and the importance of being in God’s Word.

In our readings today, Deut. 6… Read Text,  Col. 3:16… Let the message about Christ completely fill you… John 14:26… The Spirit will teach you Everything. God desires us to be in His Word… desires us to be connected to Him thru His Word. For many this is a daunting task… to read the Bible.

How many of you have Bibles at home?

How many of you read them even a little

I must confess… I would like to do a better job.

• Stats: 90% of have a least 1 Bible in our homes.
• Typical families have 3 Bibles
• 35% of adults read the bible in a typical week.
• Those that read, read about 10 min. a day.
• Avg. Luth. Reads the Bible at a 7-8 Gr. Level
• Episcopalian…4-5 Gr level
• R.C….2-3 gr level
• Mormons read their bible at a 12 gr. Leve

Why is it so difficult for us to get into the Bible?

For many… we’ve relied on the Pro Clergy to tell us. Some find it hard to understand. For some the Bible was written for a different time… and Not Relevant for us today. To Busy…. And or TOO LAZY

A few years back the ELCA was so concerned that they’ve launched an initiative called “Book of Faith” becoming fluent in the first language of faith in order to encourage people to get into the bible. Did Cross participate in this?

4 reasons I believe it is so difficult to get into the Bible.

The Bible is challenging John 3:3-16, Mark 10:17-26

We’re challenged to understand how something written long ago can be relevant for us today. In John 3 the story of Jesus & Nic… and Jesus telling Nic he must be born again. Nic was challenged to understand how one could be born a second time.

Jesus and the rich man… he obeyed the Commandments, but Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it away. He left sad. The rich man couldn’t let go of his possessions and was challenged to understand why giving up what he owned was going to get him anything. The two passages shouldn’t necessarily be taken literally, but they do challenge us to think differently.

The Bible is Confrontational Luke 13:1-3

Pilate had some people killed and Jesus tells people, “If you think they were worse than you, you are mistaken.” He tells them to turn back to God, if you don’t you will be killed too. This is kind of in your face. When we read the bible it confronts us to look at ourselves. We often don’t want to do this. We would rather not bother… so we don’t.

The Bible is Correctional Matt.16:21-28, 1Cor. 3:1-3

In Matt. 16:23… a familiar story of where Jesus corrects Peters understanding. Jesus tells Peter… Get behind me Satan. You see… Peter wanted Jesus all to himself. Jesus can’t die… Jesus can’t leave and the bible corrects us when we think we have a better idea.

Paul does this too. He’s talking to a group of Jesus followers who are mature in the faith supposedly. These are people who aught to know and yet Paul corrects them by saying, “You’re like babies…” In the Bible… God…speaks to our sinful humanness so that we will look at our lives, and make changes… changes that will enhance our lives…. Not take away as some may think.

The Bible is a Connectional Book: Eph. 1:3-5, 2Tim. 3:16

Connects us to something bigger than us and helps us to envision how life can be purposeful, and bring hope. Other religious books don’t quite offer the same content as the bible. Substituting religious books doesn’t quite work. These are only supplements.

Ways to get into the Bible

Be Intentional

Make a commitment to read a section, or chapter before you go to work, at lunch, or before bed. Make a commitment… then follow through.

Read the Bible at worship.

Open the bibles in pews & read along… maybe even be a person who reads Sunday’s readings.

When I was on internship we had a leadership retreat at a Methodist church and when we went to worship on a Saturday evening they intentionally handed bibles out as you entered worship. They wanted to get bibles into the hands of the people.

Be part of a Group.

We offer several Learning opportunities for adults on Sunday morning.  3 children’s learning at 9, 10, and 11… middle & high school. There is a young adult group “Current” that is meeting. There are many opportunities to be in a learning environment. If you don’t see a group that fits… start new one.

Take Responsibility to Learn.

You don’t need me…. I or any pastors are not meant to be the spiritual dispenser of the bible. YES… we have some schooling and knowledge, but we are here to equip and mentor you on your faith journey… to help you Learn together. Furthermore, it’s not always about the answer… but the questions! And one thing to keep in mind… you don’t become proficient at something by having someone give you the answers… you have to practice.

Closing:

Learning is a life-long enterprise and if we are serious about passing on the faith we must get into God’s Word as a community. We must make it a priority if we are to experience the kind of spiritual growth God desires of us. It is in Grace that we can begin again and take the step in Walking in the Way of Jesus and to value “Learning” in this faith community.

Our challenge today in the midst of our discomfort is to admit we have fallen short in our journey to be dwellers in the Word, and there is no better time to restart our efforts to be learners and to be in God’s Word.

 

See You Out on the Road.