In school, I would dread studying for a test  (ahem …cramming) and find that my preparation was not enough. The ultimate doom would be the essay test.You see, essay test requires that you know your topic well enough to explain it, compare it or apply the concept.  Multiple choice questions allow you to eliminate the wrong answers. You can guess and have 25% or 33% chance of getting it right.  With an essay, you either know it or you don’t. Sure you can fluff your way to a decent answer for one or two questions.But when the application in- depth question comes, you are done and you know it. I sometimes wonder if we as believers live life the same way. Do we know just enough of the Word to just get by?  Do we know the foundations of our faith? I read an article that stated we as believers are on a downward trend of biblical literacy ( you can read it here ).  In other words, we  “kinda” know what we believe.   Kinda knowing what you believe leaves you open to accept and agree with something that is contrary to the word of God. I would label it dangerous. There is so much out in the world of social media that you could easily be swayed into believing something that has  is not in line with God

Throughout the Bible, it has been stressed that we should study the Word of God. It should become part of our everyday life. Paul told his predecessor Timothy to study to show thyself approved(2 Timothy 2:15). In Joshua 1:7-8, God told Joshua to meditate on the word day and night so that he may not turn to the left or to the right( get off track).  These instructions were given because there is a  protection in knowing what you believe. There is a protection in knowing what God has said. Not only that,  it also helps you in formulating your answer when asked why you believe. In the last post, we discussed how your experience is important in giving an answer. When brought together with the knowledge of God’s word, it makes you a stronger witness. Most of the time when asked about our belief, there are follow up questions about the bible. There are questions of” why does it say this in the bible” or “I don’t understand this about Jesus”.  Being equipped to answer the basics of the word of God is helpful when witnessing.

Becoming biblically literate takes intentional time. I use the word “intentional” because our lives are filled with so many things that we will have to be intentional about studying.If not it could get lost in our everyday routine. The goal is to have it become an important part of our everyday life. Here are some tips that could help you become biblically literate.

1. Attend weekly Bible study – The Bible study that is offered during the week is usually focused on the teaching of the word than preaching. In this setting, the  Pastor is able to do more in-depth teaching of the Bible. This is not a replacement service for Sunday. You still should go to regular service on Sunday. 🙂
2.  Attend a weekly Small group- A Small group is a gathering that meets regularly for the purpose of discipling people in the Word of God.  This setting is much smaller than a  Bible Study. It is also more involved. This setting is more like a small inclusive community. As stated in the last point, you still should go to regular Sunday service.
3.  Set a non-negotiable time of day to study. – Setting a non-negotiable time of the day  to study  helps you in creating the habit  of studying the Word of God
4.  Have a set place to study –  I do my prayer and studying in my prayer closet. I  know others who use the car as a study place. The place that you pick should be quiet enough that you can concentrate on the scripture. Having a place to study is like having a secret place that you and God meet.
5. Journal your thoughts as you study – Journalling helps you to collect your thoughts and revelations as you read the Word. It helps you to
6.  Find a Bible study reading plan. – There are so many apps available with study plans that you can close your eyes and point to one. One of the more popular apps, the Bible App, has about 100 or more study plans that you can use to  build literacy

My prayer is that we all take steps to become more biblically literate. Your knowledge of God’s word could bring someone to Christ. Let’s Pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are God Almighty. You Father are the Most High and we praise your name.Father, we come to you now thanking you for calling us out of the darkness and into the light of knowing you. We thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. Father, we ask for forgiveness of not taking the time to get to know you through your word. We ask that you help us to rearrange our schedules so that we can fellowship with you. Helps us to become students of your word. We ask these things in your son Jesus name.Amen

If you have any questions, leave a comment or drop us a line at toreachtheone@gmail.com

God bless,

L

When I was young (about six or so) I remember one specific event that happened during our home bible study. I, pretending to use the bathroom, got a hold of my dad’s emergency kit from work. This kit was not like any kit that you buy out of your local Walmart or Target. It had small vials of different liquids all different in color. I being the curious kid that I was, decided that  I would take one of the vials and chomp down on it. Now why in the world would I  do anything like that? I have no idea. But I would soon regret it. The glass vial broke in my mouth. My lips and tongue burned like the fires of hell.I bit down on a glass of smelling salts or in other terms diluted  Ammonia. I screamed and immediately bible study was over. We never went back to home bible study after that. Bible study in the home moved to  Sunday School at church.  I think about that event and how I could have damaged my vocal cords or swallowed glass. But none of that happened. I stand 30 years later with the ability to talk and sing.

This experience and many others have shaped my reason for believing the Word Of God. So many  ” almost did not make it” and   ” you got me through it” moments solidified my faith. Has it all been great? Do I  understand everything that is going on at the time when things are happening? No. In some areas, I am still waiting on revelation as to why certain things happened. But my experience is one reason that helps to fill the gaps of uncertainty. When confronted with the question of “Why do I believe.?” I start with my experience.I  have a knack for meeting good people who don’t believe. I listen to them give many arguments on why  I should not. Other religious practices, a history of the misuse and abuse of the Word of God have all been arguments told to me.  But my experience is one no one can refute.

If we are not careful, these arguments can sway us to believe something that may have us on the wrong side of right. 1 Peter 3:15 states the following :

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

– KJV

Peter, the rock on which Jesus builds his church, admonished believers to do two things

1. Sanctify  the Lord God  in your hearts
2. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

You cannot give a sincere reason to believe and have faith in something that you have not set apart (sanctify, consecrate) in your heart as true.  If there are questions you have about the validity of the Word of God and his Son Jesus Christ,  this item would have to be resolved before you are ready to give an answer. It would be a time to ask God to reveal to you his presence and to seek him in prayer. Also if you have a trusted friend that is knowledgeable in the Word of God, pray with them. Ask them to cover you in prayer and scripture.

The second part of the instructions states to be ready to give an answer to any man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. In other words “If you stay ready, you won’t have to get ready !”. In order to give an answer to anyone who asks, you have to be on a firm foundation of what you believe and confident in what you believe. Sharing your experience is a great way to build confidence in your faith. In Revelations(12:11), it says that the saints have overcome by the words of their testimony. They overcome by sharing their experience.   No one can refute your experience. Peter not only gave us what to be ready for but how to do it. He says we should present our reason with meekness and fear. Meekness in the greek is the word prautés (prah-oo’-tace). It means mildness and gentleness.  Fear in this verse translates in the greek to mean reverence. I will admit that at first, I thought to myself ” Does he mean to be scared of the person?”. Upon research, I found that in this case it simply means to respect or to reverence.  We should be able to share our reasons for believing without demeaning the other person.  The goal in all of this is to assist in helping people come to the Holy Father through Jesus Christ.  We can’t have a hint of arrogance, bad attitudes or a know it all disposition affect what the Holy Father may be trying to reveal to the person at the time.

In the coming weeks, we will discuss more on 1 Peter 3:15 and what it means to our lives and others. This is only the foundation of being solid in your faith and belief in the Word of God and his son Jesus Christ. Before I go. I would like to pray for all who may be questioning their faith or don’t believe at all and are searching.

Dear Heavenly Father,

 You are awesome! You are amazing. I  thank you for your grace mercy and most of all your love. You loved us so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins so that we may live with you forever in your kingdom. Father, I thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to share the revelation of 1 Peter 3:15. I ask God that if there is anyone reading this and is struggling in their faith that you would strengthen them. Lord, I pray that you would reveal your presence to them so that they may solidify the foundation in their faith and sanctify you in their hearts. Send people after your heart to lift them up in prayer. Lord, I also pray for the ones that do not know you and have not accepted your son Jesus Christ in their life but they are searching for something to fill the void in their life. I ask that you would touch their hearts so that they may be saved. I pray these things in your son Jesus  name 

Amen.

If you need to reach out to us here at To Reach the One  email us  at toreachtheone@gmail.com

God Bless

L