Ryan Higginbottom | Knowable Word

Teach Bible Study in Sunday School

March 7, 2016 By Ryan Higginbottom

MikeDKnight (2007), Creative Commons License

Like the smell of garlic sizzling on the stove, a Bible study culture within a church is evident and attractive. It seeps into everything from the sermon to the conversations over coffee. But how does a church create such a culture?

Culture change begins with individuals, and a large number of Christians have never been trained to study the Bible. A well-advertised class offers an efficient, straightforward way to point everyone in the same direction.

Take Advantage of Sunday Morning

Instead of a weekend seminar or mid-week workshops, churches should consider using the built-in time on Sunday mornings. A Sunday school class will catch most regular attenders in their weekly pattern. And when the training happens over a stretch of six or eight or twelve weeks, the repetition will help students retain the material and build Bible study habits.

Many people within the church need this direct, intentional training. New believers need these skills. Many Christians who’ve been in churches for years don’t study the Bible on a regular basis. And as children grow and mature in the faith, they need an opportunity to learn and practice the Bible study skills they will use for a lifetime.

Barriers to Bible Study

Sadly, not everyone in your church will be excited about a Bible study training class.

Church members who have been through a similar class might resent the repetition. As with riding a bike, they find additional instruction unnecessary.

Others don’t think they are smart enough to study the Bible. They think Bible study is only for professionals and academics. Reading the Bible for inspiration or devotional purposes seems to be working just fine.

Try to anticipate these objections. Exult in the fact that the Bible is for everyone. Remind people that studying the Bible is less like learning to read than learning to paint—we all have lots of room to improve. Plan to discuss why we study the Bible in the first class session.

Seven Tips

If you’re thinking of coordinating or teaching a course in Bible study skills, here are some suggestions.

Sharpen your skills — Review the Observation-Interpretation-Application method of Bible study. I used the Knowable Word book as the core of my curriculum when I taught a class at my church last year.
Pick a book of the Bible — In a cooking class, students don’t learn to crack eggs and use a whisk in the abstract—they learn these skills as they make real food. In the same way, we should teach Bible study skills while studying the Bible. (I suggest a book of the Bible instead of a chapter or long section so the class can discuss a book overview.)
Make the class active — For your class to pick up Bible study skills, they need to dive in. So turn up the participation and dial back the lecture. I suggest loading up on supplies (colored pencils, pens, highlighters) and handing out printed copies of the Scripture you’ll be using.
Arrange the room — If possible, teach the class in a room which encourages an active audience. Tables will give your class adequate space to work and a whiteboard will provide a place to record observations or interpretive questions generated by the class.
Provide other resources — Consider using the Knowable Word book as a textbook. Make a generous stack of OIA worksheets for the class to use on Sunday mornings and throughout the week.
Assign homework — For eager students, suggest follow-up exercises each week. Point them to the next section of the passage and ask them to practice the Bible study skill you just learned. Structure the class so students will still benefit if they don’t complete the homework, but they will grow all the more if they do.
Go slowly — Learning the OIA method will take time, so don’t rush through the material. Spend several weeks on each of the observation, interpretation, and application steps of the process, practicing as you go. Guide the class toward the main point of the passage and dig deep into applications. Be careful that you don’t lose or discourage any students in your class.

Teachers Wanted

Do you want a Bible study culture in your church? Does your church need a class like this? Why not volunteer to teach it?! Teachers are always needed, so if you approach your elders with a goal and a plan, they will likely be eager to sign you up.

Teach Your Child to Listen to the Sermon

February 22, 2016 By Ryan Higginbottom

A trip to the beach is the high point of my family’s summer, and we think about it for weeks before and after our feet hit the waves. My children bubble with excitement when we stuff the car with kites and sand toys. Lovingly prepared lunches and snacks stay untouched in the cooler as they splash and dig and run and build. Back at home, they pore over their shell collections and the pictures we’ve taken.

Ulrike Mai (2014), public domain

Most parents naturally use these three phases mentioned above (before, during, and after) to help their children get the most out of many experiences. These categories provide a useful structure to help our children listen to the weekly sermon at church.

Before the Sermon

Start by introducing the sermon text to your child during the week. If your son has personal devotions, give him the relevant passage for a day or two and see what observations and questions he generates. For younger ones, read them the passage or play the audio version a few times during meals or at bedtime.

Family devotions are a great way to help your children learn to study the Bible. Why not take a night or two each week to prepare for the sermon? This helps both parents and children think through the passage, understand its context, and pray for Sunday morning.

During the Sermon

As with adults, the main challenge for children during the sermon is to listen.

Though children usually enjoy the singing and can hang on during prayer and the offering, the sermon can be tough. How much we should expect from our children varies with age and development. Parents can train their children to sit and listen by providing direction and materials.

When children are very young, tap into their love of crayons and markers. Provide some pictures relevant to the sermon text for them to color. If they like to draw, encourage them to create a picture inspired by the sermon. (Plant picture ideas as you discuss the Bible passage during the week!)

When my oldest could read and write but was not yet able to listen for long stretches, I made a sermon worksheet for her each week. These sheets had some short-answer questions, some blanks to fill in, and some questions requiring more thought. During the sermon I asked her to read the relevant passage and fill out her sheet. After that, she could read or color something else of her choosing.

Older children should be able to pay attention to most sermons. Taking notes usually helps them to focus. Parents can nurture this skill by providing some examples of note-taking and some simple instructions.

After the Sermon

To help your child process the sermon, talk with him about it afterward. Lunchtime on Sunday is perfect for this.

Read the passage again as a family and ask your child to explain his drawing or notes. Find out what he remembers from the sermon. Expand the conversation so that parents and siblings have a chance to share their thoughts.

Parents should lead a brief discussion here: What is the main point of the passage? How does this relate to Jesus? How can we apply the passage individually? As a family? As a church?

Be gracious and understanding as you lead your child through this process. Listening, focusing, and remembering are difficult skills that take practice and maturity to develop.

A Final Note to Preachers

Preachers, remember there are young sheep in your flock. They may wiggle and fidget more than most, but they need the Shepherd too.

I’m not advocating you turn your sermon into a ten-minute Vacation Bible School message, complete with song and costume. But keeping the whole flock of God in mind will affect your preaching.

Take care in your vocabulary. Don’t use unnecessarily complicated words. Define terms that might not be familiar.
Choose illustrations that will capture children’s attention. Don’t be ashamed to pull from nursery rhymes or fables. Throw in some animals, princesses, or battle scenes from time to time.
Finally, remember the children in your applications. Prepare several applications and include some specifically for children. Don’t tire of repetition—children need to hear the commands to obey parents, love siblings, and tell others about Jesus over and over. And remember Jesus in all of your applications! We communicate a lot about God’s grace in the way we frame applications of the Bible.

In some churches, children make up almost half the congregation. By helping them to focus on the Bible through the sermon, we train up the next generation of Christians and add to the Bible study culture of the church.

3 Stages of Listening to a Sermon

February 8, 2016 By Ryan Higginbottom

jacinta lluch valero (2012), Creative Commons License

Want to know which way the wind is blowing? Just look at a weather vane.

Want to know how a church approaches the Bible? Just listen to a sermon.

A sermon won’t give a complete picture. But if a church has a robust Bible study culture, the sermon is a good indicator.

Now a sermon is not like an IV drip, where you passively receive nourishment. Rather, a sermon is like a hearty meal—the cook labors in the kitchen to measure and mix and simmer. He sets down the food and urges you to eat. But you won’t enjoy or benefit from the meal unless you raise a fork and tuck in.

With a sermon, this happens in three stages.

Before the Sermon

To get the most from a sermon, consider two important activities in the preceding week: prayer and study.

Both the preacher and the hearer need God’s help. Pray for your pastor as he studies the Bible and prepares to proclaim it. And pray for yourself and your fellow listeners, that you would understand and be changed by God’s word.

During the week, there’s another way to plow up your heart to prepare for the Sunday morning planting. Find out the Bible passage for the sermon and study it on your own. (If you aren’t sure how to study the Bible, start here.) Take a stab at the author’s main point, connect that to Jesus, and write down some applications. If Sunday morning is the second time you’ve grappled with the preacher’s text, God’s word is more likely to take root and sprout up in you.

During the Sermon

Honoring God during the sermon is straightforward, if not easy: Focus and listen.

We should give our full attention to the preaching of God’s word. Grab a Bible and locate the relevant passage. Think carefully with the preacher as he talks through the text.

For some, taking notes is essential. Writing helps these people follow the main ideas of the sermon and gives them a record to consult later.

For others, note-taking is a distraction. Trying to listen and write leaves them with scattered scrawlings and murky memories. These folks should consider jotting down their thoughts after the sermon, so those God-given impressions and applications don’t flit away.

We all have difficulty listening to sermons from time to time. This may have nothing to do with the preacher! Late nights, a difficult week, restless children, illness, or a hundred other factors may make it hard to concentrate. We should do our best to pray and prepare and focus. Beyond that, remember that God knows his children. His love for us doesn’t increase or decrease based on our attentiveness during the sermon. It is full and secure because of Jesus.

After the Sermon

When the preacher finishes his post-sermon prayer, your obligations are not over. Like The Carpenters, you’ve only just begun. The best ways to promote a Bible study culture in your church after the sermon are to apply and discuss the Bible.

Assuming your preacher handled the Bible faithfully and connected his applications to Jesus, now it’s your turn. With the help of the Holy Spirit, take your pastor’s suggestions, mix in your own, and apply this passage to your head, heart, and hands.

If you question the preacher’s interpretation, study the passage again. Request a meeting later that week. God brought this passage to your attention and you should pursue understanding and joyful obedience.

In addition to applying the sermon text yourself, talk about it with others in your church. If you do so right after the worship service, you have a ready-made entrance to fruitful conversation.

Encourage others with the truths of the Bible you’ve just heard, especially the good news about Jesus Christ. Brainstorm necessary and creative applications, both for yourself and for your church. Confess the barriers to obedience in your own heart and offer help and support to your friends. We need community to apply the Bible.

Make sure your discussions about the sermon aren’t an excuse to criticize your pastor. Talk about the Bible and how best to understand and apply it, but don’t become an Olympic figure-skating judge.

Imagine the growth you would see if even half your congregation invested time before, during, and after the sermon to give attention to the Bible. It would transform your church.

So, what’s on your menu for this coming Sunday?

How the Sermon Can Shape a Church’s Culture

January 25, 2016 By Ryan Higginbottom

A church with a healthy Bible study culture is a blessing to members and visitors alike. Though all aspects of a church contribute to this culture, the sermon is among the most noticeable.

by William Hamilton (1788), license

Evaluating the sermon in this context demands that we move past the good-or-bad question asked over bowls of Sunday soup. How can a sermon help create a Bible study culture?

The Importance of the Sermon

In evangelical churches, the sermon is the centerpiece of weekly worship. Singing, giving, praying, testimonies—these are often seen as appetizers before the main course.

Without minimizing other elements of the worship service, the sermon is critical. For thirty or so minutes, God’s gathered people focus on hearing and understanding his word. The way the preacher handles the Bible communicates the church’s values and shapes the culture.

A Slight Departure

At Knowable Word, we’re committed to helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible. We rarely target preachers. But as preachers prize God’s word and encourage its study, “ordinary people” will flourish.

So, a word to non-preachers: This post is for you, too! Through the sermon, you can recognize a church with a Bible study culture. You should also find ways to pray for and encourage your preacher(s).

Nine Strategies

Enough jibber-jabber. Here are nine strategies for a sermon that can help create a Bible study culture in your church.

Pray and trust God — A preacher should soak all his study and preparation in prayer, relying on God’s strength and grace. The preacher must recognize the power of God’s words, for the flavor of a sermon indicates whether he believes God’s power lies in the Bible or in his own words. Sermons lead people into greater reliance on one or the other.
Choose the text carefully — When preachers expound a passage of the Bible (instead of hopping around based on a topic), they plant the sermon in rich soil. Over weeks and months, preaching consecutively through a book of the Bible builds familiarity with the author’s main point and helps God’s people to see the place of that book within the Bible’s big story.
Show the work — A sermon should both explain and equip, but many focus only on the former. Instead, the preacher should communicate both his conclusions and the way he reached them. OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) terminology isn’t essential, but the preacher should have language to describe what he’s doing. One metric for the success of a sermon is this: Are people replicating the preacher’s Bible study process and reaching the same conclusions?
Minimize quotation from commentaries — Preachers often consult commentaries when preparing a sermon, and this is valuable if one avoids common mistakes. But when a sermon is full of quotations from commentaries, the preacher teaches that Bible study is best left to professionals and academics.
Study and prepare — Sermon preparation skills can be divided in two: getting it right (studying the Bible) and getting it across (public speaking). Both categories are crucial! If you need help in the first, start here.
Include application — A sermon without application is like visiting the beach without touching the sand. A preacher should bring applications to his congregation that have already produced fruit in his life. In this way he avoids hypocrisy and his vulnerability (which is hard work!) shows that application is for everyone.
Prune “proof texts” — A preacher shouldn’t pluck Bible verses and wave them around like so many garden flowers. If a preacher needs the support of another Scripture passage, he should take the time to read it and interpret it in context. We all need help with correlation.
Warn against dangers — There are pitfalls associated with every step in studying the Bible. When appropriate, a preacher can highlight any relevant hazards. (Peter has written about the danger of familiarity when observing, the dangers of relativism, presumption, and observation when interpreting, and the dangers of insight and inertia when applying.)
Make a resource sheet — Churches often tuck a sermon outline into the bulletin; why not use this to also recommend excellent resources? A preacher can encourage his people to study other relevant Bible passages and point them to the best commentaries, biographies, histories, and websites. Including the exact wording and source of any extra-biblical quotations from the sermon could also bless the congregation.

Many thanks to Peter for his help with this post. He uses the categories in point 5 but does not claim them as his own—he has seen them in places like the Simeon Trust.

A Bible Study Culture within the Church

January 11, 2016 By Ryan Higginbottom

A group of able, determined people can accomplish what an individual cannot. Witness this video, where about twenty people in China converge to free a woman trapped beneath a car.

Molly A. Burgess (2010), public domain

From One to Many

Personal Bible study is at the heart of this blog. We advocate the Observation-Interpretation-Application (OIA) method, and we produce and collect resources to help Christians investigate God’s word.

When we adopt a habit of Bible study, we cut the ribbon on an adventure. By his Spirit, God changes us—from the inside out—as we give ourselves to reading, understanding, and obeying his word. Such change is not easy; in fact, it is a series of small deaths. But these deaths are life—we are new people being renewed.

Now multiply the effect of one changed life. Imagine a troop of transformed, growing Christians. Think of the impact a united, thriving, God-glorifying church can have within a community.

Churches and the Bible

Many churches say they are dedicated to the Bible. The pastor preaches from the Bible, the confessional standards are dense with Bible references, and the pews and Sunday school rooms are chock-full.

But how much is a broad allegiance worth? Suppose a grocery store promotes healthy eating in its flyer, but within the shop they conceal the carrots and push the pastries. You can see the company’s values by walking the aisles.

For some churchgoers, the Bible seems irrelevant; for others, it’s impenetrable. They may half-heartedly open the book on Sunday morning but it has no place of honor in their lives. As a church loses regard for the Bible, they also lose the power to love and influence their communities.

You’ll see a different picture when Christians are committed to studying the Bible. The distinction is not one of intelligence or morality, but of authority. Because God has spoken, such believers are devoted (by God’s grace) to reading God’s word closely and obeying, no matter how uncomfortable the conclusions.

Blessings of a Bible Study Culture

This post begins a series on the distinctive marks of churches which have a Bible study culture. We’ll discuss different aspects of the church in future posts, but today I want to highlight God’s gifts through churches like these. Here are seven blessings to expect when your church embraces a Bible study culture.

Sound doctrine — A church that studies the Bible can stand confidently for truth against all heretical threats.
Unity — Listen to A.W. Tozer: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?”
Obedience — Application of the Bible leads to greater love and obedience, and God blesses obedience. (See James 1:25, Luke 11:28.)
Help — We often need help studying the Bible, and in a Bible-studying church, we are resources for each other.
Encouragement — Because Bible study can be difficult, we need encouragement. We will find ample support among like-minded Christians.
Healthy norms — When a church studies the Bible, it shows how natural and healthy this exercise is. This discipline isn’t reserved for academics or the super-spiritual, this is a normal Christian practice.
Training — If you want to learn Spanish, move to Spain. New members of a church will pick up Bible study quickly if it is part of the church’s culture. If everyone from grandparents to gradeschoolers is studying the Bible, new members won’t be intimidated to begin.

This series is not meant just for information. In the next post, we’ll start to look at some features of a Bible-studying church. Read prayerfully. Then in your own church, encourage what is present and work toward what is lacking.

4 More Gifts to Encourage Bible Study

December 14, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

Patrice_Audet (2013), public domain

There are two types of people: those who bounce through mid-December and those who slouch. There are two types of people: those who have finished their Christmas shopping by mid-December and those who haven’t. I trust you catch the correspondence.

My final pre-holiday gift to you is a list. (You’ll accept it unwrapped, I hope.) If you’re slouching, consider these suggestions for family and friends this Christmas. If you’re a bouncer (not that kind), don’t worry—these ideas are evergreen. Stash these tips for birthdays, graduations, or any gift occasion, like Limerick Day (May 12) or National S’mores Day (August 10).

Four Gift Ideas

Last year I shared three gifts to encourage Bible study; this year I have four more. As before, I’ve included a no cost option, so this list is for everyone.

A markup Bible — People are more likely to engage with the Bible when they interact with the text physically—circling, underlining, highlighting, outlining in the margins. Why not buy a Bible for a friend or family member dedicated to this purpose? This need not be an expensive gift. If you follow the links on this page, you’ll find several reasonably-priced options. (Additionally, remember that Westminster Bookstore has a great sale on ESV journaling Bibles through the end of 2015.)

Bonus suggestions: For those who prefer to print out Bible passages instead of marking up a separate Bible, consider giving some printer paper and printer ink. Any markup Bible fan would be able to use good pens, colored pencils, or highlighters.
A Study Bible — Peter has recently cataloged his Study Bible recommendations, so read through his reviews and check out his spreadsheet to settle on a good option. If you buy a Study Bible for a loved one, make sure they’re aware of the many blessings and curses of such a resource. A Study Bible is like a sharp knife—a great tool when used carefully; dangerous otherwise.

A commentary — Like Study Bibles, not all commentaries are created equal. Some model good Bible study methods, and some specialize in speculation or historical esoterica. While you should turn to your Bible first, commentaries can be a great blessing if used with care. If you know of a friend diving into a particular book of the Bible for study in the new year, consider blessing them with a top-notch commentary. Peter has compiled a list of recommended commentaries here.

Time — Think of someone at church or in your neighborhood who is overburdened. A young mother with three kids under five, a mid-fifties man caring for his dementia-stricken mother, a single mom with two teenage sons. They are stretched so thin with responsibility and exhaustion, just the idea of Bible study is overwhelming. Think of ways to free them up so they can spend extended time with the Bible—babysitting, playing cards with the elderly mother, mowing grass, running errands, providing a meal. Let them know your intention with the gift, and point them to some online resources to help them study the Bible for themselves. (Helping in this way should probably come in the context of meeting your friend’s other physical needs.)

Disclaimer: The Amazon links above are affiliate links, so if you make a purchase after clicking through, you’ll be giving a small percentage of your purchase to Knowable Word—a great gift! This will allow us to keep posting and help ordinary people learn to study the Bible. It’s a circle of giving!

Teach Bible Study During Family Devotions

November 30, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

skeeze (2014), public domain

My daughters have gone dance crazy this fall. Everywhere I look, I see pointed toes, pliés, and skipping, twirling children.

My girls will join their dance studio’s production of The Nutcracker in a few weeks. You can imagine the preparation this requires—buying costumes, reserving a venue, and cramming gobs of detailed instructions inside little heads. What an undertaking!

Train Them Up

Just as my daughters need months of ballet lessons before they hit the stage, they also need training in the skills and habits of Christians. Following Jesus is the central calling of their lives, and I cannot send them off unprepared.

It is vital that we provide our children with a solid approach to Bible study. At this blog, we advocate the OIA method. While the terminology isn’t sacred, we think the skills of observation, interpretation, and application show up in all faithful descriptions of Bible study.

So how do we pass along these crucial skills to our children?

Gather as a Family

We have opportunities throughout each day to equip our kids to study the Bible. Chief among these chances are meals and times of family worship. It’s a privilege to engage all of your children at once about the most important things in the world!

But most parents know that family devotions can feel more like a chore than a privilege. The adults are exhausted, the baby is crying, and the older children are feeding spaghetti to the dog. It is difficult to steer a ship this large (especially with a mutinous crew).

Let me encourage you to stick with it. Family devotions can be a source of deep joy and they can prepare your children for a life of loving and obeying God. Family devotions are worth the effort.

Realistic Expectations

If you’re feeling guilt about family devotions, you may need to adjust your expectations. We must be both faithful and realistic. If we set the bar too high, we will frustrate everyone.

First, consider your weekly schedule. For most families, our weeks bear more resemblance to each other than do our days. Survey a typical week for your family and seize a pocket of time on each lightly-scheduled day for family worship. Don’t beat yourself up when you miss a few days.

Next, consider the content. I’ll advocate for the Bible below, but ponder what else you might do. Involve your children as much as possible and make it fun. Let them choose praise songs or hymns. Ask them about the best parts of recent days and join in a rousing prayer of thanksgiving. The elements of worship can vary. If you make family worship memorable and fun, your children will anticipate and remind you about it!

Study the Bible

Given my push for realistic expectations, it might seem strange to suggest Bible study. Doesn’t Bible study require long, private periods of concentration?

No! Since the Bible is for everyone, so is Bible study. Training children to study the Bible is as simple as asking three questions: What? Why? So what?

What? Children should observe the Bible. You may want your older children to help out with the Bible reading, but anyone can listen and observe! Ask your children to pick out the main characters, the actions, the commands, and so on. The younger your children, the more time you’ll probably spend on the “what” question.

Why? As children get older, they should move into interpretation. Follow their observations with “why” questions. Why did Jesus heal that blind man? Why did Joseph’s brothers sell him? Why does Paul say we should always pray? Ask questions like this to move your children toward the main point of the passage.

So what? With this question we enter the land of application. What difference does all of this make? Children usually need the most help with this question, but you might be surprised how eagerly they suggest applications once you get them started.

Final Remarks

Let me leave you with a few recommendations as you consider how family devotions might work in your home.

Don’t neglect the Bible. Story Bibles can be a blessing for young children, so feel free to incorporate them. (My youngest really loves the pictures.) But don’t let them replace God’s word. Your children can handle more than you think.
Involve the whole family. Ask questions of all the children—and all the adults! Children should see the adults in their lives modeling good Bible study habits.
Revisit Bible passages. If your family devotions bog down, return to the same passage the next time. You might also consider studying the same passage with the family that you (or your children) are reading in personal devotions.

We have several articles on teaching Bible study to age-specific children, along with devotional guides for readers and non-readers, at our children’s Bible study page.

Choosing a Bible Passage to Study

November 16, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

geralt, Public Domain

Jim has showered and eaten breakfast, and now he wants to meet with God. He reaches for his Bible and says a quick prayer. He isn’t sure what to read, so he sets the Bible on the table and lets the book fall open. Jim trusts God to lead him to the right passage. This display of God’s sovereignty comforts Jim as he takes up Psalm 137.

Jim is not alone in his method, and I understand the attraction. It is powerful to think God “opened your Bible” to a specific page. God has a message prepared especially for you!

Miracles

Though you may respect Jim’s approach to Scripture, you might question his sanity if he bought a house this way. Open a real estate web site and make an offer on the first house in your price range. After all, God is sovereign! In this setting, we understand the value of a careful and deliberate manner.

So why do we crave a mystical experience when studying the Bible? Why do we expect God’s miraculous intervention?

We feel our weakness and confusion as humans and long for strength and certainty; we see our finitude and stretch for the infinite. Like the Jewish people of Jesus’s day, we seek a sign (Matt 12:38). The burning bush, the audible voice, the vivid dream—we covet God’s unmistakeable actions.

When Jesus was asked for a sign, he pointed to himself and his resurrection. (See Matthew 12:38–42.) His incarnation and resurrection form the centerpiece of history, the miracles that confirm God’s word and make all other miracles possible. (Read more about the place of miracles in the modern church in this article by Justin Holcomb.)

Plans

These days, God guides us more often with a careful plan than with a shriveled hand (1 Kings 13:4). Many think this sounds boring, but to me this understanding injects a holy significance and excitement into each day on the calendar.

In the Bible, God frequently uses “ordinary” means to lead his people.

Nehemiah prays and asks the king for permission and support to rebuild Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:1–8)
Jethro sees Moses carrying a heavy burden and suggests he enlist others to help him judge the people. (Exodus 18:13–27)
Joshua sends spies to Jericho. They meet Rahab, and this proves critical in overthrowing the city. (Joshua 2:1–24)
Through his skill, planning, and experience David wins many battles. (2 Samuel 8:1–14)
Paul makes travel plans without a vision or angelic itinerary. (Romans 15:22–25)

Though God worked in and through these decisions and events, we witness no disruptive divine intervention. Today, as then, we need not depend on writing in the sky to learn from God.

Considerations

Make a plan to study a portion of the Bible. This is different than a Bible reading plan. What part of the Bible will you dig into and find under your fingernails? Where will you direct your blossoming OIA skills?

Consider these questions as you make your plan.

What is your church studying? God often presses us with the application of a passage as we see it from different angles (personal study, sermon, Sunday school, small group).
What have you studied recently? Don’t hesitate to vary the length, genre, or time period of the passage from one project to the next.
What is your background? If you’re new to studying the Bible or to the Christian faith, ask a pastor or Christian friend for some suggestions.
How lengthy is your plan? Don’t rush! God’s word is deep and yields a rich harvest for those who take time to carefully work the field.

Feel free to take detours from your Bible study plan. But don’t despise plans themselves—God often uses unspectacular means to direct and guide us.

Who is The Servant of the Lord?

November 2, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

Imagine driving by your child’s school and spotting a fire truck next to the building. If you recall the fire safety assembly scheduled for the day, you’ll look forward to hearing all about the brave firemen. But if you forget this event, you’ll view that truck in a different light.

Poghia (2006), public domain

In Bible study as in life, context matters. We’ve covered this topic before at Knowable Word. But with the popularity of word studies and the indiscriminate use of cross-references and search engines, we all could use a reminder.

The Servant of the Lord

In the book of Isaiah, interpreters often understand the term “Servant of the Lord” to refer to the Messiah. Beginning in chapter 42 and continuing through the end of the book, the prophet describes the coming Christ in sweeping terms—what he will be like, what he will do, why he must come and suffer. Isaiah 42:1 serves as a preamble:

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.

But read further in the chapter, and you might hear the proverbial record scratch when you hit Isaiah 42:18–20.

18 Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind, that you may see!
19 Who is blind but my servant,
or deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind as my dedicated one,
or blind as the servant of the Lord?
20 He sees many things, but does not observe them;
his ears are open, but he does not hear. (Isaiah 42:18–20)

Say what?

Are we reading here that the Messiah is the chief example of one who is blind and ignorant of God’s word? How do we explain this? It doesn’t match what we know of—or what we need from—the Savior.

The Servant Israel

When we read further in Isaiah 42, we see the last half of the chapter addresses God’s people and their failure to respond to God. We see the people in caves and prisons in Is 42:22. Isaiah writes about Jacob and Israel in Isa 42:24, explaining that God “gave up Jacob to the looter” because they weren’t willing to walk in his ways. God brought drastic measures (battle and fire) against them but they “did not take it to heart” (Isa 42:25).

God referred to Israel as his servant (twice!) in Isa 41:8–10, so if you’ve read chapter 42 in context, the reference to the blind servant of the Lord makes a bit more sense. Israel is God’s servant.

So here’s the better question: why should “servant” in Isa 42:1 not refer to Israel? If Israel is God’s servant both in Isa 41:8 and Isa 42:19, why should the reference in Isa 42:1 be different?

A Better Servant

Our understanding of the “servant of the Lord” as the Messiah is sharpened and filled out in later chapters of Isaiah. But there’s an important lesson about salvation in chapter 42.

When God calls attention to his servant in Isa 42:1–4, he has big plans in mind. This servant “will bring forth justice to the nations.” The word “justice” appears three times in those four verses.

Much of Isaiah 42:5–17 describes God’s involvement in this justice mission. He will hold the servant by the hand (Isa 42:6). God’s glory and his name are at stake (Isa 42:8). He will prevail like a warrior (Isa 42:13). He will shame those who trust in idols (Isa 42:17).

Thus, when we see Israel described as a blind and deaf servant in Isaiah 42:19, we naturally wonder—how can such a sinful servant accomplish God’s justice?

The logical answer is, he can’t. It will take a better, holier servant of the Lord to accomplish this momentous task. Considering the “servant of the Lord” in context shows us the need for a greater servant than the world had yet seen.

Pray for the End of Your Small Group

October 19, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

How do you pray for your small group? You might pray for your group leader, the friendships within the group, your time studying the Bible, or the growth of each member. God loves to answer these prayers. There’s another way to pray for your Bible study group that is unpopular, seldom used, and crucial for maximizing your group’s impact. This prayer needs the spotlight.

You should pray for the end of your small group.

Andrew Hurley (2011) Creative Commons License

To be clear, I’m not advocating for scandal, factions, apostasy, or apathy—I want just the opposite. I want your group to be so winsome and vibrant that it grows and grows. I want addition, not subtraction. Small group birth, not death.

I want your group to end because it splits. And you should want this too.

A Good Problem

Like corn stalks in the summer, a healthy group will grow. As a small community is centered on Jesus and committed to the Bible and each other, people will show up. Our hearts are drawn to close relationships focused on the most important questions and answers in life.

But a growing group reaches a point at which the word “small” no longer applies. Depending on your group’s purpose, this might be fine. But if you aim to take advantage of the friendships and interaction that can make a small group special, you’ll see that a larger group adds some challenges.

When a group exceeds ten or twelve members, it is more difficult to connect with each person in the group. Timid group members can fade into the shadows, and the leader may be tempted to lecture instead of lead a Bible-focused conversation. The prayer list can bulge and swell, spilling out of the house, oozing down the street, and threatening to consume the town. There’s a good reason why many churches and Christian ministries aim to start small groups.

Addressing the Problem

For the good of your Bible study, you should consider splitting the group in two. This makes space for new members and allows close relationships to flourish.

How should the group split? Some groups reach a saturation point, split the group evenly, and come up with a process by which the groups are populated. In other Bible studies, the leader is always training an apprentice. In the fullness of time, the apprentice will start his own group, inviting new people to join.

You may encounter some resistance from within your group when the time to split arrives. This is natural—your group members have formed close friendships, and the potential loss of those friendships looms large. This is why the kingdom-focused vision for your small group is so important. If your group aims to give birth to another, make sure that purpose is clear and repeated often. Pray for it frequently and invite and invest in people with this in mind.

How to Pray

As you pray for the end of your small group, you’ll also need to pray for a new leader. Start early, and pray frequently for God to prepare and equip such a person. (If you’re reading this article and following this series, you might well consider whether God is calling you to lead such a group.)

Pray for single-mindedness and unity within your group. If your group exists for the purpose of introducing people to the life-changing gospel of Jesus as he is known in the Bible, and if God gives your group this common vision, you will be prepared for Spirit-given growth. A tug-of-war changes dramatically when everyone pulls in the same direction.

Ultimately, pray for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done, both within each group member and in your community. When your group splits, it may feel like an end, but it’s just another beginning. It’s a chance to bless even more people by loving them and pointing them to Jesus.

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