I appreciate this interview with Jen Wilkin on how to improve Bible literacy in our churches and why it is so critical that we do so.
Wilkin describes how she gained a vision for learning from the Bible herself instead of getting drowned in waves of opinions from others. Then she challenges us all to consider how to better train our own children in our families and churches:
Wilkin flatly rejects the notion that deep knowledge of Scripture is best left to adults and “experts.” “A child who is capable of reading is capable of reading the Bible,” she insists. “Children need early exposure to the Scriptures because they need to see them as a familiar friend. Reading the Scriptures to them—and then, of course, having them read them themselves—are all formative practices. Sometimes we think children should only read (the Bible) if they can understand everything they’re reading,” she says, but “we underestimate their ability.”
This is why Wilkin advocates for young students doing adult-type Bible study. “If high schoolers are capable of doing calculus and physics, they absolutely are capable of grappling with a line-by-line study of the Bible.”
The full article gives many more details on Wilkin’s background and vision for training others to study the Bible. Check it out!
Hi Peter,
Jen Wilkin’s 2014 book “Women of the Word” was a life-changer for me! Reading it sparked what I like to call a “light switch moment” where obvious life-change occurs. Realizing that I-ME-MYSELF could, and should, interpret the Bible without always relying on a go-between, (other than the Holy Spirit, of course,) was what set me on my journey of learning about the OIA method. Thanks for sharing!
Jen Wilkins Women of the Word is an excellent source of help for inductive Bible study – after years of attending BSF – this book took me to a place where I could do this on my own.