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Why We Harm Others (Prov. 3:31)

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In seeking wise humility, we must not pridefully withhold good or plan evil against others.  To help us, the center of Proverbs 3:27-35 illuminates our motivations.

Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways (Prov. 3:31, ESV)

If God opposes the proud so severely, why would anyone ever choose such a path?  Because, Solomon reasons, we are tempted to envy violent people.

Derrick Davis (2008), Creative Commons

Derrick Davis (2008), Creative Commons

Remember our discussion about violent people from Proverbs 1:10-19?  The attraction to violence is that it will gain us more stuff.  And more stuff means improved security and increased community, or so we think.

We love ourselves enough to believe anything just to get a little satisfaction.  We’ll even believe that “love your neighbor as yourself” means that we first have to love ourselves.  Nowhere, however, does the Bible command us to love ourselves; it assumes that we already do.  Whenever we put ourselves at the center of the universe, we are choosing to act like violent men.  The antidote to such a poisonous choice is to fear the Lord, who really is at the center of the universe.  “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day” (Prov. 23:17).

If you’re anything like me, you may have a hard time with this teaching.  I want to love people; I really do.  I’ll do whatever God wants me to do for most of the people in the world.  There are just a select few whom I can’t love.  In particular, there are those who have hurt me deeply, and those who don’t deserve my trust because of some failure on their part.

Next week, we’ll see how the New Testament applies Proverbs 3 to these situations.

Write Chapter Summaries

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Big Bible

Ed Mitchell (2007), Creative Commons

The Bible is a big book. It’s easy to get lost or tired or – honestly – bored.

Some people love digging deep. They’ll read a few verses, chew on them, pray over them, and feel closer to God as a result.

Not me.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all in favor of exploring the details. But I’m not naturally motivated that way.

I’m more of a reader. I like to read many different things. I get bored with too much of one thing.

Regardless of whether you are more of a chewer or a devourer, the Bible is still a big book. How do you keep tabs on the big picture even while processing the parts? How do you read each section in light of the whole?

I have an idea for you. This is not the only right way to do it, but it’s one tool I’ve found especially helpful.

Write Chapter Summaries

Get yourself a notebook.

On the first page, write “Genesis” at the top and the numbers 1 to 50 down the side (you’ll probably have to go on to the second page to get 50 lines).

Then, as you read Genesis, stop at the end of each chapter. Consider each chapter and write a one-line summary next to the number for that chapter.

For example:

  1. creation of the world
  2. creation of man & woman
  3. fall into sin
  4. Cain murders Abel and fathers a line of ungodly people; Seth replaces him
  5. genealogy from Adam to Noah

And so on, down the page.

Then start a new page for Exodus. Continue through the books of the Bible until you have a summary of every chapter in the Bible.

Why are Chapter Summaries Helpful?

Although content summaries are not the same thing as the author’s main points, they still have a helpful place.

  1. They help you to process what you’ve read.
  2. They help you to retain what you’ve read.
  3. They increase your familiarity with the Bible.
  4. They record God’s marvelous works throughout history (Ps 96:3).
  5. As you read back over the summaries, they give you a sense of how a book of the Bible unfolds.
  6. As you read back over the summaries, they give you a sense of how the whole Bible fits together.
  7. They document what you’re learning about the Lord.

An Example

Over the course of my life, I’ve done this exercise 3 times. Each time I gain more insight, which gives me greater delight in the Lord

I enjoy looking back over my notes to see how my understanding deepened.

For example, here are the summaries I wrote for 2 Peter in 1999:

1. God’s given everything we need –> qualities of fruitfulness; Peter direct eyewitness.

2. False teachers will rise up –> last state (betraying Christ) worse than first (not knowing Christ).

3. Remember words spoken –> day of judgment, elements burned up.

And here are the 2 Peter summaries I wrote in 2008:

1. God’s promises through the prophets will be fulfilled in Jesus & in our character.

2. False teachers deny Jesus; the Lord won’t let them get away.

3. Reminder of word of prophets & apostles; we can bank on promises to be fulfilled in the future!

These two sets are not drastically different. They simply show a maturation in my understanding. The second set is more clear and focused than the first set.

Sometimes I return to these notebooks when I study a book of the Bible. They give me a starting point from which to hone my insights and build my understanding.

Questions: How helpful have you found exercises like summarizing chapters to be? What other ideas have worked for you?

God Opposes the Proud

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Wisdom is humble.  Humility means putting others first.  But why does it matter?

For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
But the upright are in his confidence.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
But he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
But to the humble he gives favor.
The wise will inherit honor,
But fools get disgrace (Prov. 3:32-35, ESV).

R. Nial Bradshaw (2013), Creative Commons

R. Nial Bradshaw (2013), Creative Commons

This section has four statements about God’s perspective on those who obey or disobey the commands of Prov. 3:27-30.  The first three show first God’s displeasure toward the disobedient, followed by his favor toward the obedient.  The fourth statement reverses the order, signaling the end of the section.

The language here is not moderate.  “Abomination” (Prov. 3:32) may be the strongest possible term to express hatred.  The devious person, who builds himself up by tearing others down, is an object of God’s extreme hatred (Prov. 3:32).  The wicked, who ignores God’s instruction and goes his own way, is thwarted by God at every turn (Prov. 3:33).  Scorners, who always believe they know better than everyone else, receive the Lord’s scorn (Prov. 3:34).  Fools, who love simplicity and refuse to learn wisdom, become disgraceful examples of what not to do (Prov. 3:35).

What’s abominable to God is often distasteful to others as well.  I’m sure you’ve seen (or been) the person who’s so focused on himself that he brings his own disgrace.  Comedian Brian Regan, with surprising insight, cautions us to “Beware the Me Monster.”

I made the mistake of trying to tell a story about having only two wisdom teeth pulled, and I learned a lesson: Don’t ever try to tell a two-wisdom-teeth story because you ain’t goin’ nowhere.  The four-wisdom-teeth people are going to parachute in and cut you off at the pass.  ‘Halt!  Halt with your two-wisdom-tooth tale!’  You will never complete one; trust me.[1]

The “Me Monster” is the person who always focuses on himself.  Even the world recognizes how ugly this behavior is.

In contrast, the upright person, who imitates God’s pattern of selfless love, is brought into God’s intimate circle (Prov. 3:32).  The righteous one, who trusts in God’s provision and not his own performance, receives God’s backing for every endeavor (Prov. 3:33).  The humble person, who considers others more important than himself, is given favor from the Lord (Prov. 3:34).  The wise person, who never stops learning and loving, gets praise from the King of Heaven (Prov. 3:35).

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  These two roads lead in opposite directions, and there’s not much room between them.  Where do you fall?

[1] From Regan’s video I Walked On the Moon.

Teach Bible Study to a 4-Year-Old

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4 year oldOIA Bible study works for anyone of any age, because it simply codifies how all communication works. In another post, I gave some tips for teaching it to 2-year-old children. Now we graduate up to the 4-year-olds.

I’ve taught the 4-5 year-old Sunday school class at my church for over a year now. I’m delighted by how much these kids can understand. When class goes poorly, I’m tempted to blame the kids (“boy, they were really wound up this week!”). But often, the class falters because I’ve failed to communicate the exciting drama of God’s Word.

When has the class been most successful? Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Read the Bible

Children’s story Bibles are great (some of them, at least). They’re the training wheels that help the kids get started. I really respect The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Gospel Story Bible for 4-year-olds.

But always, always, always read the Bible as well.

I’m tempted to think they won’t get it. But they get it when we explain it (see #3 below).

I’m also tempted to think they don’t have the attention span for it, and I need to read a “condensed” version of the story. But, for example, the tower of Babel story in Genesis 11 has 222 words in the ESV. The Gospel Story Bible uses almost 450 words for this story, and The Jesus Storybook Bible has over 530. Which one is more likely to push the limits of the children’s focus?

2. Situate the Text

One goal is to get the children comfortable with the Bible. So, every week in Sunday school, we discuss what book of the Bible the story comes from.

Then we sing two songs – one for the Old Testament book titles, and one for the New. The children raise their hands during the song when we get to the book that contains this week’s story. It’s a treasure hunt, encouraging them to sing along and listen carefully.

In this way, the children have memorized all the books of the Bible, and they’ve become comfortable with the basic arrangement of books.

3. Clarify the Point

This point may have the greatest effect on the quality of my class.

Some of our best classes covered unusual topics like the temple or Nehemiah building the walls of Jerusalem. Other highlights covered more familiar stories like baby Jesus and the shepherds, Elijah on Mount Carmel, or Daniel in the lions’ den.

But there was a common thread running through each successful class: I understood and was clear on the point of the Bible story.

Certainly the stories themselves have great value. We need to know our family’s history. We must pickle in the tales of their ups and downs.

But the stories are all there for a reason. God wants to introduce these 4-year-olds to the Hero of the story. He exposes their need for a Hero. And he satisfies their desire for a Hero.

These kids keep me honest. They won’t let me get away with a dumb answer. They’ll keep asking “why?” until I start to make sense. Good for them.

4. Focus on Jesus

He is the Hero. The whole Bible is about him. Any Bible class that doesn’t climax with Jesus is a failure.

These kids don’t need to be able to win Bible Quiz bowls. They don’t need to be good kids.

They need to trust in Jesus as their only hope for life. Let’s help them get there.

5. Visualize the Story

Visualization helps the children to exercise their observation muscles. We can put ourselves into the story and relate to the characters when we see what it was like for them.

We can show illustrations. We can use flannel figures. We can ask questions.

Building the walls of Jerusalem

Building the walls of Jerusalem

In our class, we like to act the story out. It gets us up and moving around. Sometimes we get a little rowdy, but that’s okay. If we run out of main characters, children get to play the parts of trees, chairs, rivers, or lions. We’ve built towers to the ceiling, and we’ve struck rocks to get water.

These little ones are precious to the Lord. He wants to know them. Will you help?

UPDATE: This post actually focuses on teaching children the Bible. For more help teaching them Bible study, see the next post.

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Theology is Never an Academic Exercise

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Knowable Word LogoMike Riccardi recently posted a great article at The Cripplegate on the book of Philippians. He shows how studying theology and growing in virtue are inseparable.

Although Riccardi’s point is well-made, I commend his article to you more for his excellent model of Bible study. He identifies the main point of Philippians, and he traces out Paul’s flow of thought effortlessly.

The Book of Philippians is about the Gospel. It’s not quite an exposition of the doctrinal content of the Gospel, like Romans is. And it’s not quite a defense of the Gospel in the face of heresy, like Galatians is. Philippians is more about the implications the Gospel has on the various aspects of our lives as believers. It’s about how we are to live in light of the Gospel. The thesis verse of the letter is Philippians 1:27, in which Paul commands his dear friends to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”

Check it out!

Do Not Plan Evil

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In teaching about wisdom and humility, Solomon’s first warning was against keeping what we have; this one is against taking what we want.

Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
Who dwells trustingly beside you.
Do not contend with a man for no reason,
When he has done you no harm (Prov 3:29-30, ESV).

Wise people put others first, protecting their well-being.  They don’t steal possessions by borrowing and not returning.  They don’t steal time by not listening well.  They don’t pick fights.  They don’t argue about meaningless things.  When a disagreement is significant, they work to persuade and woo, rather than coerce or manipulate.

Jozef N (2009), Creative Commons

Jozef N (2009), Creative Commons

“Do not contend” (Prov. 3:30) has a legal ring to it, referring to foolish lawsuits, but it implies much more than court proceedings.  We ought to avoid damaging someone’s reputation needlessly.  We ought to be as concerned for others’ reputations as we are for our own.  Wise people don’t spread the dirt on others (Prov. 20:19), refusing even to listen to it (Prov. 26:20-22).  Whenever they hear someone’s “concerns” about another person or group, they make sure to get the whole story before coming to any conclusions (Prov. 18:13, 17).

I must confess that I am guilty.  I have jumped to conclusions about others.  I have listened to bad reports, and I’ve spread them foolishly.  I haven’t always done my research, making sure to hear all sides of a matter.  I can think of times when my information was true, but still should not have been passed on (Prov. 25:7b-10).  I once prided myself on my ability to discern what needed to change for any person in any situation, and all along I was the one who most needed to change.

When we put ourselves at the center, we commit all kinds of evil against others, and we train ourselves to make it look good and religious.  We stop listening to the Word of Wisdom, and we listen instead to the world around us.  For example, I once sat innocently in a fast food restaurant, and my cup started preaching at me.  No joke.  It said:

This cup makes a statement about you.  It says, ‘Hey, look at me.  I’m an ambitious yet responsible person.’  You could have gone larger, but you didn’t.  You could have gone smaller, but again, you deferred.  No, you know exactly what you want in life, nothing more, nothing less.  It’s good when you have things your way.[1]

We fall for garbage like this all the time, but the Lord calls us out of a pat-yourself-on-the-back, you-know-what’s-best-for-you mindset.  When we fear him, being open to change, our focus steadily moves off ourselves and onto others.  Our pride melts, and loving others becomes our delight.  Before we know it, our relationship with the Lord hits fifth gear.

[1] Printed on the cup of a Burger King® medium-sized soft drink.

What Materials Do You Use?

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I serve with an organization that focuses on discipleship. When people hear our vision for training college students to mature in faith and impart it to others who can teach others (2 Tim 2:1-2), one question inevitably hijacks the conversation.

So what materials do you use?

Mars Hill Church Olympia (2012), Creative Commons

Mars Hill Church Olympia (2012), Creative Commons

I struggle to answer this question because it often comes with a wagon-load of assumptions.

  1. To many people, “discipleship” means having a program of instruction.
  2. A program of instruction requires manuals and/or participant workbooks.
  3. Therefore, those who succeed at “discipleship” must have some excellent “materials” that others could benefit from.

I disappoint terribly when I respond, “Our main materials are the books of the Bible.”

I really don’t intend any disrespect by it, so I usually begin by listing a few books we’ve found to be helpful.  But I always drive that train right back to the station of Scripture. Sometimes blank looks are my reward.

The Benefits of Good Materials

Study guides, Bible study workbooks, leaders manuals, and classroom curricula all have a role in Christian education. Their role is like the role of a tee in Little League baseball.tee

A tee is the first guidepost for a child learning to play the sport. It assures the child that he can hit the ball without fearing it will hit him. It defines where to stand, where to swing the bat, and when to run. It’s a good friend and capable mentor.

As the athlete develops, the tee endures as a tool. Even the pros use tees to help them perfect the mechanics of batting.

The tee is not part of the big game, however. The tee trains and refines, but it also launches players into the real thing.

In the same way, we need good materials to show us the way. Young Christians can practice the basic mechanics of Bible study with a good guide. Leaders can gain confidence when they have a structure already provided. Mature believers can fine-tune their understanding of Scripture and stay connected with their generation by checking the insights of others.

But the materials are not the meat.

The Dangers of Good Materials

  1. We unintentionally communicate that the Bible is not enough to grow a Christian (or to introduce someone to Christ).
  2. We rely on the “experts” and don’t learn to think for ourselves.
  3. We go to study guides too quickly, and short-circuit our understanding of a passage.
  4. We assume we can’t learn how to study the Bible ourselves.
  5. At worst, we enable a culture of study guide addiction in the church and enforce a priestly layer of materials mediation between people and God.

A Vision for Good Materials

I know it might sound hypocritical, as I’m writing materials on the dangers of materials. There’s something in there that could sound self-contradictory.

But my goal is to provide materials that train people not to need more materials – at least as the substance of their walk with God. The best materials will remain supplemental.

Imagine if your small group wanted to do a study of marriage and their first idea was to study the Song of Solomon together.

Imagine if you asked people for advice about a parenting struggle and they pulled out their Bibles to answer the issue.

Imagine if your congregation’s debate over the church budget was driven by people quoting verses about godly money management.

Imagine if all the core members of your church invited their neighbors to discussion groups in their homes about one of the Gospels.

Discussing a book or following a program isn’t wrong. It’s quite useful if it hits the target.

But doing it all the time is like going to the shooting range with a Nerf gun.

How to Win Your City

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Knowable Word LogoThe Gospel Coalition recently published a guest post I wrote called “How to Win Your City.” It’s a study of Daniel 1, explaining how to live as strangers and exiles in our communities.

World-changers are a rare breed. But they don’t have to be. If displaced youths can revolutionize the kingdoms of the earth in God’s name, you and I can transform our communities with the gospel.

Consider the year 605 B.C., as the nation of Judah is losing power and significance. Babylon rules the world, with Nebuchadnezzar as king and general.

Then the unthinkable happens. Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, and the city falls because God hands it over to him. Thus begins the book of Daniel: clarifying who truly controls the situation, thereby revealing Daniel’s secret confidence that inspires him in three key world-changing behaviors. Since he knows God rules all earthly kingdoms, he can settle down, start small, and win big.

Please check out the full article!

Do not Withhold Good, Part 2: Application

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There are many ways we can apply last week’s teaching on humility, but two especially come to mind for our generation.  We must not withhold truth in confrontation, and we must not withhold life in evangelism.

Confrontation

Sean Gannan (2008), Creative Commons

Sean Gannan (2008), Creative Commons

Let’s admit it: we simply don’t know how to do it well.  The Bible says, “You shall reason frankly with your neighbor” (Lev. 19:17), and I say, “but I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”  The Bible says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6), and I say, “but I’d better let him have it.”  In other words, we usually make the Sucker’s Choice[1] between being truthful or being respectful, but the Bible commands us always to do both.  If we disagreed with each other more honestly and more respectfully, we’d make better decisions, resolve more conflicts, and build deeper relationships.  As William Blake wrote in “A Poison Tree,”

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

Evangelism

I’ll admit it: I generally don’t want to do it well.  It would mean I’d have less time for what I want to do.  I couldn’t hide behind my fears, nurturing them and helping them to flourish in my heart.  People might not like me.  It would be awkward and uncomfortable, and 5 minutes of comfort matter more to me than someone’s possible eternity in hell.  Can you relate?

Now I’m not trying to make you feel guilty.  No, my point is that you and I are guilty.  Jesus knew it, and he died for us anyway.  So we’re free to confess frankly, repent, and keep moving forward.

[1] Phrase borrowed from Patterson, et al, Crucial Conversations (New York: McGraw Hill, 2002).