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The Bible Is Not Boring

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camel1

anonymous (2014), public domain

The Bible is boring. Many people outside the church take this as given. For them, reading the Bible is like watching C-SPAN or counting blades of grass.

But, let’s be honest—Christians feel this way at times. And we’re unlikely to study a book we don’t find interesting.

We need to consider some important questions.

Is the Bible boring?

No, the Bible is not boring. Let’s not confuse a bored reader with a boring book.

The Bible is God’s word. If God is the creator and sustainer of every atom that exists; if he is infinitely holy, good, wise, and glorious; if he is the very definition of love; then everything about him must be interesting.

OK, so why does the Bible seem boring?

If God’s word seems boring, there’s either a problem with the reading or the reader.

For some, the Bible seems dull because they assume they know what it says. They think they’ve heard all the stories and learned all the rules. Instead of “living and active,” the Bible sounds repetitive and bland.

For others, the Bible appears boring because they read the text without engaging with it. We are meant to meditate upon the Bible, to read it with the expectation that God will meet with and change us.

Additionally, the Bible feels irrelevant if we forget who we are. We are created and corrupt. We depend on God both for life and salvation. When we lose our sense of ongoing need, we won’t be thrilled by God or what he’s done for us.

What should we do if the Bible seems boring?

First, we should acknowledge our need for God’s help. Even redeemed people need God’s Spirit to desire what is of supreme value. In other words, we should pray. (Read what John Piper suggests you pray when the Bible seems boring.)

Next, don’t confuse difficult with boring. The Bible is hard to understand in some places, but that doesn’t make it dull. In fact, like your backyard garden, Bible study is often most rewarding when it makes you sweat.

Further, not every Bible passage should be studied in the same way. A physics textbook is not a detective novel, and Proverbs is not Revelation. While you might spend several days looking carefully at the first ten verses of Ephesians 1, you won’t treat 1 Chronicles 1 the same way.

Some of the hardest parts of the Bible are the genealogies, the construction of the tabernacle, and the apportionment of the promised land to the tribes. Ask yourself, why did God include these chapters? What purpose do they serve? (This short article at Desiring God tackles Joshua 13–21 and the apportionment of the land.) We must do our best to read the Bible in context and seek the author’s intention in each passage.

Finally, when the Bible seems stale we might be tempted to import excitement. Maybe we’ll use a flashy study guide or dig around for some never-before-seen insight. If we chase ideas that are new or novel because we are afraid the Bible won’t hold our interest, we need to get back to the basics of Bible study.

Observe the text carefully. Ask questions, think about the author’s train of thought, and look for the main point. Connect the passage to the big story of the Bible, the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, with God’s help, apply the passage to yourself.

The goal of Bible study is the worship of God which spills over into all of life. As God transforms you, it might be uncomfortable, stretching, or disruptive. It will all be very good. But it certainly won’t be boring!

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Logos Bible Software, Part 2: Does It Help With Bible Study?

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Last week, I wrote about Logos Bible Software’s unlimited power to search resources and give historical background on the Scriptures. This week, I would like to ask, “How well does it assist observation, interpretation, and application in Bible study?”

Discipline Required

ICBM

Please use me responsibly

I must confess, Logos has so much power that using it can sometimes feel like bringing an ICBM to a game of darts. Will I hit the bullseye? Without a doubt. But what else might I hit in the process?

What I mean is this: My task in Bible study is to know God through understanding the text, and Logos helps tremendously with understanding the text. But it’s way too easy for me to let Logos help by taking me away from the text to other resources and expert opinions. For example, I’m glad to know what ancient Jewish rabbis and modern scholars have to say about Exodus 1; I must consider such things. But first, I must know what Exodus 1 itself says. And with a powerful tool like Logos I might trick myself into thinking I’ve learned Exodus 1, when in fact I’ve learned more about what others have said about it.

The potential problem here, of course, is not with the software but with the person using it. I’ve written about mistakes we can make with commentaries and the curses of study Bibles. Every one of these cautions applies to a tool such as Logos. For example, word studies and topic studies can do a lot of damage when they take you away from the context of specific passages. And Logos makes it easier than ever to move away from the contexts of specific passages.

OIA in Action

With those cautions out of the way, how does Logos help with observing, interpreting, and applying (OIA) the Bible?

1. Notes & Highlights

I’ve never seen anything like Logos’s ability to take notes and highlight text. I can customize formatting, colors, shapes, and styles. I can go free-form text or copy and paste. I can attach notes to one verse or to many. I can link ideas together. And I can keep it all easily filed and searchable for later use.

2. Reading Plans

I couldn’t be more impressed with Logos’s approach to reading plans. If I want to read the Bible, Logos is going to be where I turn. I can customize a reading plan any way I want. Start and end dates. Defined passage limits and breakdowns. Schedule it every day or just certain days each week or each month. I will use Logos for my annual read-through, as I no longer will have to squish a full-year digital schedule into my speed-reading approach.

Here’s another example. My church’s preaching team is scheduled to meet on August 6 to overview the book of Exodus for our next sermon series. I would like to prepare by reading Exodus 5 times. So I had Logos create a reading plan as follows: “Read Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus every day, in the ESV, divided by story units, beginning today and ending on August 5.” It spit out a schedule with check boxes and breakdowns. Each day, Logos’s home screen (either desktop or mobile, doesn’t matter) presents a link to open that day’s reading. Easy peasy. If I miss a day, I can adjust the rest of the schedule with a few clicks. I can also adjust the translation manually each time I start the book over.

3. Typography

Logos can turn any Bible translation into a reader’s version, with no headings, chapter or verse numbers, or footnotes. Or I can turn those features back on. I can do one verse per line or paragraphs. Basically, I can make the text look any way I want it to look. Whatever will assist my study is there.

4. Quotes and Illustrations

Once I’ve done my own observing and interpreting, I can then turn to my library of commentaries and resources. I can find quotable quotes or illustration ideas to stimulate application. All is easily searchable and well packaged.

OIA on the Horizon

The features I’ve mentioned so far are available in any Logos base package. Logos also has a subscription package (called Logos Now) that gives you access to beta features that will show up in the next version of the software. If you want them now, you can have them for $8.99/month. [August 2016 Update: These features are now built right into Logos 7.]

1. Repeated words

With a Logos base package, I can see a word cloud of repeated words. But I have to guess from the font sizes which ones occur more frequently than others. If I simply want a list of repeated words and their frequency, Logos Now gives me access to the “concordance tool.” And this tool offers much more than a typical concordance. I can get repeated words for a single book or chapter (or any defined text range). I can search within the list for similar concepts. I can print, rearrange, or save the list for later.

2. Auto highlighting

Logos Now has a “corresponding words” tool that will automatically highlight those repeated words for me.

3. Old Testament logical outlines

Logos base packages give you logical outlines for every New Testament passage. These are extremely helpful for tracing the flow of thought within a passage. But to get such outlines for the Old Testament you must subscribe to Logos Now or wait for the new version.

Recommendations

In conclusion, if you have the discipline not to jump away from the text or into a useless sort of word study, you’ll find powerful assistance here for your Bible study.

If your interest in the Bible comes as an academic or theologian, Logos will be indispensable to you. I bet you couldn’t find a better research tool.

If you are a pastor, missionary, or Bible study leader, you may at first find Logos’s price tag prohibitive. However, think of Logos not as luxury software but as your library. If you take what you’ve spent on books and save it up for a year or two, I bet you’ll be able to afford a decently sized package. You’ll likely also want to make future book purchases through Logos. The larger your library, the more power you give to your research assistant.

If you’re an average person studying the Bible without a sizable book budget, Logos may not be for you. You can still do excellent OIA Bible study without it. However, if the search functions and reading options intrigue you, you may want to consider trying the Logos core engine, which is free. You won’t get much of a library with it, but you’ll have access to the biblical text and primary software features. If you like it, you can always grow your library later.

Also, I must say Logos has a steep learning curve. I had to watch 2-3 hours of training videos before I felt like I could control the beast and unleash it in my study. But I am convinced it was worth it. I can’t wait to continue building my library and getting new features.

Use this link or the coupon code KNOWABLE6 to get 10% off a Logos base package. Disclaimer: If you buy Logos with the code or links above, this blog will receive a commission. Thanks for supporting this work so we can help ordinary people learn to study the Bible!

How to Encourage Your Friends to Study the Bible

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How many people in your church regularly study the Bible on their own? Beyond devotional or five-minutes-a-day readings, how many dig deep into God’s word?

Regular attenders of a good church hear lots of Bible teaching through the sermon and Sunday school classes. They might see Bible study up close in a small group. But far too many Christians opt for easier practices in their own devotions.

Personal relationships are a powerful part of a church community. Underneath programs and structures, most of a church’s ideals and habits are communicated through friendships. This includes personal Bible study.

Cheryl Holt (2014), public domain

Cheryl Holt (2014), public domain

What Comes First

Two things must be in place before you can encourage someone at your church to study the Bible.

First, you need a real friendship. The closer your relationship, the more powerful your voice in their life. Good friends trust that your suggestions have their best interests in mind.

You also need shared values. Your encouragement to study the Bible will only be effective if your friend shares this goal. (Here’s an article explaining why we study the Bible.)

On one level, both of these requirements take care and effort on your part. But true Christian friendship and a love for God’s word also require spiritual intervention. Our first order of business, therefore, is prayer.

Study the Bible Together

If your friend is a new Christian or is unfamiliar with the Bible, they’ll need guidance as they begin. Give them resources that explain an easy-to-follow Bible study process. At this blog we advocate the Observation-Interpretation-Application (OIA) method, and the best place to start reading is here. (Peter’s book would also make a great gift for a beginner.)

Once your friend knows the main components of Bible study, help him dive in. If you attend or lead a small group, take him along. If that would be uncomfortable, offer to study the Bible one-on-one. Suggest some preparatory work, and talk through the passage together when you meet. (Our OIA worksheets might be helpful at the start.)

Your goal with a new Bible student is to strap on the training wheels and help him pedal down the driveway. Give him an example and some practice. Help him understand the main point of a passage. Show him how to see Jesus in any passage and remember him in application.

Talk About It

While some of us have new Christians to train, all of us can think of more veteran Christians who could use Bible study stimulation. (We can all use help in this area!) These folks know how to study the Bible but no longer do so regularly.

Some friends might benefit from a weekly get-together to study through a short book or passage. But, since you’re aiming to strengthen individual Bible study, most encouragement you’ll give will take place in informal conversations, not scheduled meetings.

As a matter of habit, talk about Bible study with your friend. This might seem unusual at first, but it doesn’t have to be awkward. Simply ask what they’re studying and learning, and be willing to share yourself. Thank God for what he teaches you, and speak honestly when you’ve neglected the Bible.

If your friend admits a distance from the Bible and your prayers and questions don’t help, you’ll need to take a more direct approach. In love, emphasize the importance of God’s word. Ask direct questions about his habits and patterns of behavior, but don’t stop with his actions—point toward his heart.

Despite the protests, we won’t change into diligent students of the Scriptures if we just get up earlier, turn off the TV, or try harder. Our behavior follows our hearts (Matt 15:18-20), so if we genuinely want to worship and interact with God, nothing will stand in our way. Your friend needs to recognize and repent of the desires that overshadow and quench his love for God. Help your friend identify and kill these idols.

Don’t forget the gospel in these conversations! Over and over, remind yourself and your friend that your success or failure with regular Bible study does not determine God’s love for you. For Christians, God’s love is secure, full, and free because of Jesus.

We All Need Others

We all need reminders and support to study the Bible. Even regenerate hearts follow the gaze and desires of the old man at times. We need others to tell us the truth, pray for us, and point us in the right direction.

Take a minute to think about your friends, and pray for them. Pray for strong relationships, ample opportunities, and rich conversations. Pray that God would use you to point them to his word.

Build Bible Study Culture Through Small Groups

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Building a Bible study culture in your church is a huge job, only possible by the grace of God. Because such a culture is reflected in every area of church life, this hard work requires creativity and a long-term view. But the effort is worth it.

anonymous (2012), public domain

anonymous (2012), public domain

While a Bible study culture begins with church leaders, it is caught and carried forward from the pews. Godly leaders point down the road and give their people provisions for the journey.

Leaders must grasp the opportunity small groups present. As Christians meet to discuss and study the Bible, these groups become a powerful culture-making tool.

So, how exactly do small groups build a Bible study culture?

1. They show your values.

As a church creates, supports, and advertises small groups, it highlights their importance and advances their purpose. Church leaders promote small groups so their people will grow in Christ. The more people who engage in Bible study, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship, the better.

By building this ministry on a foundation of Bible study, your church repeats its reliance on the Bible. We want to know God through the study of his word.

This strengthens the Bible study culture in your church by establishing a common aim. If everyone knows the destination and the essential tools to get there, the swell of the crowd will attract attention, questions, and others drawn by the vision.

2. They help you grow.

Christians grow as they study the Bible. Perhaps this is obvious, but it bears repeating.

We need to know God, what he is like, what he has done for us in Jesus, and what he calls us to as his ambassadors. As we understand and apply the Bible, we renew our minds with truth and repent of our idolatry. We believe the truth and trust in God to greater degrees, and his Spirit produces increasing fruit in our lives.

We are animated examples, living proof both of the goodness of God and of his work through his means. As we grow, love abounds in the church, and we trace this overflow back to God, his grace, and the study of his word.

3. They provide hands-on training.

Small group studies offer unique opportunities to sharpen Bible study skills. The flexible and informal nature of these groups make them an ideal training ground.

Though most meetings focus on studying a specific passage, the group can take short detours for direct instruction in Bible study skills. The leader can structure his questions to make explicit the Bible study components of observation, interpretation, and application. (These ingredients form the core of the OIA Bible study method.) Group members have the chance to ask honest questions about the Bible and to interact with the responses. Perhaps the greatest training tool is the ongoing example of friends studying the Bible together and helping each other apply it.

This training builds a Bible study culture in obvious ways. You’re gathering forces. More people are equipped to model Bible study skills and pass them on to others. More people can serve as resources to those getting started.

Your Turn

Small group Bible studies have many benefits. Consider attending or even leading one. As you do so, pray that God would use your group to bless your church in building a Bible study culture.

The 3 Laws of Launching New Leaders

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Fighter Jet LaunchIn the life of every Bible study apprentice, there comes a time for independence. A time when trails must be blazed and sunsets must be ridden off into. New small groups must be formed, and new leaders must be set loose to form them. And when this time comes, three laws will inevitably take effect.

The Apprentice Will Not Be Ready

Nobody perfects a skill without first trying and failing. And an apprentice who stays close to the trainer, who is eager and capable to correct every misstep, can’t really fail. The goal, of course, is not merely to fail, but to fail in the right direction. Like major league sluggers, we need to be okay with high volumes of strikeouts. Each one teaches something about timing, bat speed, or pitch count expectations. Few apprentices will ever feel ready to lead their own groups, but that shouldn’t stop them from trying.

The Trainer Will Not Be Ready

Nobody likes to see a protege struggle. No decent Bible teacher wants a short-term decrease in ministry effectiveness. But eyes of faith see dormant glory. This mustard seed will become the greatest of all garden plants. This bit of leaven will penetrate the doughy lump. This jar of clay proclaims the surpassing power of God to grow his church. And this frail limb may eventually become a mighty oak of righteousness.

The World Will Not Be Ready

Do you remember how Hebrews speaks of our faith heroes, that the world was not worthy of them (Heb 11:38)? Then remember also that those folks, though commended, didn’t receive what was promised. God provided something better for us: Jesus, seated at God’s right hand (Heb 12:1-2). But before he took his seat, Jesus committed to sending his Spirit to empower his followers to do greater works than Jesus himself had done (John 14:12-14). So we ought to expect generation upon generation of new heroes who proclaim faith in Christ and trust in no other. The world cannot handle such titans.

In training your Bible study apprentice, perhaps you had a part in shaping one of these heroes.

Bible Study Begins With Church Leaders

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anonymous, public domain

anonymous, public domain

Leaders set the tone. A greedy, money-grabbing CEO will find his employees less than generous. Those who work for a patient, caring boss are likely to follow suit. Like a river into a lake, the culture of an organization flows downhill from the leadership.

Over the past five months, I’ve written about the importance of a Bible study culture within the local church. Today we examine the fount of that culture: the church leaders.

A Call to Prayer

If a healthy Bible study culture begins with church leadership, we should consider this important question: How can we encourage our leaders in their Bible study?

Above all, we should pray. We must plead for our leaders, that they would love God by reading and studying his word.

It’s easy to take this for granted. Surely my pastor studies the Bible; that’s part of his job! But a pastor’s life can quickly fill with meetings, hospital visits, phone calls, and administrative tasks. A pastor can wake up on Friday and realize he’s been “doing ministry” all week without much of a devotional life. Most pastors feel this tension acutely and know their weakness.

Church members can support their pastors by praying! We need our leaders to prize the Bible and give it serious, studious attention. The battle lines are spiritual, and we can pick up arms by folding our hands in prayer.

A Call to Sunday School

Sunday mornings are busy, especially for pastors and elders. But leaders can point to the importance of the Bible by the way they use the Sunday school hour.

Elders are often called to counsel or teach on Sunday morning, and preachers occasionally need before-service time to collect their thoughts. These are important callings.

But, whenever possible, elders should be with their people, learning with and from them. They should participate in the classes, join the discussions, and help people think through and apply God’s word. In this, leaders show they need to learn and that the Bible is as important for them as they say it is for everyone else.

Use the Bible During Elder Meetings

When the elders of the church meet, time is precious. There are events to plan, finances to discuss, requests to consider. Taking 20 minutes to study the Bible might seem like a waste.

It isn’t!! In fact, it might be the best use of your time together.

Studying the Bible brings a purpose and direction that’s hard to match. You see the gospel clearly and you break free from guilt, performance, and a hundred other wrong ideas about relating to God. What could be more important for a leadership meeting than passion for and unity around the most important truths in the world?

Personal Bible Study for Leaders

An elder might attend Sunday school and participate during elder-meeting studies, but what happens at home? Our priorities are revealed in our personal time, so how can we encourage our church leaders to study the Bible in private?

If we know our leaders well enough to converse with them (and we should), the answer is simple: Ask questions and give encouragement.

Ask your elders how you can pray for them. Mention you’d be glad to pray for their devotional life, since consistency and depth can be difficult, especially for leaders. Pray consistently and follow up after a week or two.

Ask your elders what they’re learning in their personal study time. Ask in humility, eager to learn.

Gracious, Christ-like leaders welcome these questions and ask them of each other. They admit to seasons of spiritual dryness and stretches of inattention to the Bible. They are glad for the support, encouragement, and prayers of others in the church.

Persevere in Doing Good

A robust Bible study culture in a church begins with the leaders. With grace, love, and courage, let’s persevere in our prayers and encouragement for them.

Two Concerns About Gospel-Centered Materials

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Over the last ten years or so, we have seen an explosion in books, sermons, and teaching materials focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. What a glorious, precious development!

The Blessings of Gospel-Centered Resources

Giovanna Orlando (2010), public domain

Giovanna Orlando (2010), public domain

These publishers, writers, and speakers focus on the central story of the Bible: Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Jesus himself taught that all the Scriptures pointed to him (Luke 24:27).

Instead of extracting broad, moral lessons from the Bible, these authors and speakers connect the passage, book, or character to Jesus. They look for themes within the text which anticipate or flow out of Jesus’s saving work. Further, they show how the gospel is essential to our growth in Christian faith and obedience.

As a result, we have seen the adjectives gospel-centered, gospel-driven, and gospel-powered (and others) used in relation to parenting, work, marriage, productivity, and many other aspects of the Christian life. Like many others, I have been strengthened in my faith and walk with God through books which fall under this umbrella.

I thank God for this abundance of helpful resources. And I am grateful for the writers, publishers, speakers, and organizations that loudly and joyfully proclaim the central importance of the gospel of Jesus.

Two Cautions

We should use all of God’s gifts appropriately. Oranges are great for your health, but your body would object if you ate only oranges. In the same way, I have two concerns about using only gospel-centered resources in our churches.

1. Creating unhealthy dependence

As Christians, our central written resource is the Bible. And most gospel-centered writers love the Bible.

But when a writer is eager to connect his topic to the gospel, he may focus on Bible stories, characters, or themes and not the Bible text itself. His readers will see evidence of Bible study but may not learn to study the Bible themselves.

Making disciples demands both teaching and equipping. If our training materials never pass along Bible study skills, the next generation will be hungry on the dock instead of baiting hooks in the boat (and showing others to do the same).

Books and curricula that show gospel connections without instruction in how to find these connections can create an unhealthy dependence. Younger Christians especially may develop a reliance on materials which, while terrific, are not the word of God.

2. Missing the Trees for the Forest

Don’t miss the forest for the trees! This warning lifts our eyes from the details to the bigger picture. But the details are still important! How can we know the forest if we don’t examine the trees?

When we’re over-eager to connect a passage to the Bible’s large, gospel story, we miss some of God’s purpose in that passage. We need to give each part of the Bible its due. Consider two illustrations.

Do you know the story of the creation and fall, or do you know Genesis 1–3? To explore the difference, ponder this: What was the name of the person who first ate the forbidden fruit? Those who know only the bigger story might say “Eve.” But those with eyes on the text will say “the woman.” Eve wasn’t named until after the fall and the curse (Genesis 3:20). Names are crucial in the Bible, so we gloss over an important detail if we call her Eve (mother of the living) throughout the story.

For another example, consider Genesis 22, when God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Those on the lookout for gospel nuggets might rush to note how Abraham’s faith and willingness to sacrifice his son teaches about God’s willingness to do the same. But a closer reading reveals a different angle. God calls Isaac Abraham’s “one and only son” three times in this chapter. But Isaac wasn’t Abraham’s only son! (Don’t forget Ishmael!) This doesn’t make God a liar, of course, but points to the covenant promise. God promised Abraham blessings specifically through Isaac (Genesis 17:21), and God reaffirms this in Genesis 22:15–18 after Isaac’s life is spared. By grace, Abraham trusted God and knew that if Isaac died God would restore his life (Hebrews 11:17–19). This story is more about promise and resurrection than sacrifice and death.

The process of correlation involves understanding Bible passages as part of a single whole. (Check out our posts on healthy correlation.) When handling God’s word correctly, we should study the passage at hand, draw out the main points, and connect those main points to other passages and themes of the Bible.

Though all the Bible points to Jesus, the connections are not always obvious. When we smooth over the details and nuances of individual passages, we miss much of God’s instruction for us.

Conclusion

Resources that explain and trumpet the gospel of Jesus Christ are a great blessing to the church. Embrace these works, but cling to the Bible above them all. If we want to create a Bible study culture in our churches, we cannot use gospel-centered materials by themselves.

 

Thanks to Peter for his help planning this post.

Choose Good Sunday School Materials for Children

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Sunday school materials for children—they fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. The sheer number of options is dizzying.

Organizations produce these materials using a lot of thought, time, and talent. The illustrations are professionally designed. The coloring pages and craft ideas are creative and instructive. The projects and activities are memorable and moving.

But the core of a Sunday school curriculum is the content. How should churches choose what their children study?

Anonymous, public domain

Anonymous, public domain

What’s the Substance?

Below, I’ll argue for the Bible as the cornerstone of a Sunday school curriculum, but there are many other approaches in use.

  • Moral lessons/examples — We’ve all seen these lessons that don’t quite ring true. Dare to be a Daniel! What are the five smooth stones you need to defeat the Goliath in your life?

    Sunday school lessons as moral examples spring from the belief that a child’s behavior is of primary importance. The main lesson each Sunday is either be good, be nice, or be courageous. They treat the Bible as a baptized version of Aesop’s Fables.

  • Theology — Theology is inescapable when talking about God, but some curricula focus only on theological lessons. Children hear about angels, tongues, baptism, heaven, or the end times, often using extra-Biblical stories or dramas.

    Materials like these are often tied to a provincial, denominational approach to Christianity. Parents and elders want the children to grow up and agree with all their theological points, large or small. They want more members of their church or denomination.

  • Christian life issues — This approach applies a vague Christian morality to common youth concerns. Some churches try to pick “edgy” titles in the hope of attracting teenagers.

    Applying the Bible means that Sunday school lessons should land on all the difficult and interesting parts of life. But without a grounding in the Scriptures, to kids these lessons can sound like finger-wagging warnings from adults.

The Bible gives us morality, theology, and practical instruction for life. But a Sunday school curriculum addressing only these topics is incomplete and imbalanced.

Teach Children the Bible

For Christians, the Bible is essential. In it, we learn who God is, what he has done, and what he demands from us. Most importantly, in the Bible we learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Church leaders confess the importance of teaching these truths to children. So perhaps it seems obvious to teach children the Bible.

But there is a strong pull, for both children and adults, to move on from the Bible. Whether due to boredom or spiritual dullness, Sunday school lessons are often Bible-adjacent instead of Bible-focused.

Because children need the Bible, they must learn to study the Bible. Any Sunday school program that neglects Bible study skills sends warriors into battle without the sword training they need.

Broad Recommendations

Here’s my big-picture recommendation: Find a Sunday school curriculum that points children to the Bible and trains them to study it. The material you choose should accomplish this in age-sensitive ways.

In early elementary school, children are ready to observe and ask interpretive questions. Sunday school materials can provide structure to develop these skills. Patient teachers can guide the children toward the main point of a passage and help them to apply it.

In late elementary school, children should be able to go through the OIA process themselves. They might benefit from worksheets or Sunday school supplements, but this age group is ready for full-fledged Bible study. The emotions and changes in their lives provide plenty of opportunities for application.

Middle school students might not need a curriculum at all. Churches can invest those Sunday school dollars into Bibles for the children. Tell them to bring a notebook and pen on Sunday morning and show them how to study the Bible.

As you look for material for children’s Sunday school, make sure the kids take long drinks from the Bible. And as they get the Bible, make sure they learn how to study it themselves. Training the children with these skills is a sure way to build a Bible study culture in your church.

Here are two follow-up links: our resource page for teaching Bible study to children, and a review of an Advent family devotional and classroom curriculum.

Don’t Be Afraid to Teach Children’s Sunday School

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Ralph Häusler (2013), public domain

Ralph Häusler (2013), public domain

As reliably as winter gives way to spring, churches need teachers and helpers for children’s Sunday school.

Not everyone is called to this ministry, but far more are equipped than are enlisted. Why do we have a shortage?

A High Calling

Sunday school is not just a way to occupy the children. For those 45 minutes, teachers talk to students about God, point them toward Jesus, and train them in Christian disciplines. What a high calling! What an opportunity!

We can become fearful when facing a weighty mission like this. Like a pot on the stove, the heat accelerates the anxieties in our hearts, and they bubble to the surface and pop.

Four Fears

Teaching children is difficult work, to be sure. But if we put the difficulty aside, I suspect fear and doubt are at the heart of our reluctance to step into this service.

1. Doubt about calling

Some people think they’re not the teacher type. They worry about connecting with children, answering their questions, and handling crises. They’re afraid of causing long-term damage.

But if you love the youth of your church and are willing to serve, you are ready to talk about teaching. You don’t need to be perfect. In general, children are resiliant and eager to forgive. And your mistakes will be more evident to you than to your five-year-olds.

An additional note: The church at large needs more men teaching our children. Boys and girls need to see godly men and women serving and caring for people of all ages.

2. Fear of missing out

Many people don’t serve the children because they want to hear Bible teaching themselves. They’re jealous for their own sanctification.

However, your Christian growth will not be stunted by teaching children. In fact, you’ll likely mature more through service than through study.

The crucible of preparation and explanation brings a unique clarity and conviction. And your growth isn’t just intellectual. God refines our character through challenges (James 1:2–4) because we’re forced to rely on him. So as a teacher you’ll have tremendous opportunity to flourish, especially if you don’t think you’re a natural.

3. Doubt about the Bible

The Bible should play a central role in Sunday school instruction. But many people think the Bible is too difficult for kids to understand.

They shrink from teaching because they fear the material won’t be engaging, relevant, or meaningful. They yearn for supplements that do all the work and leave nothing to chance. But when we pull the Bible away from our children, we keep them from the fountain.

Children might not understand every passage right away, but they’re usually ready for the Bible before we hand it over. Because it is God’s word, it is powerful and appropriate for Christians of any size, height, or age.

4. Doubt about your skills

Some shy away from teaching because they don’t feel qualified. They know they will be teaching the Bible, and they don’t consider themselves intelligent, studious, or insightful. They would rather the duties of studying and teaching the Bible be left to the pastor and elders of the church.

But the Bible is for everyone. You need no degree, certification, or minimum IQ score. The Scriptures are for the children in the classes and the teachers. Everyone can learn to study the Bible.

While churches need pastors, the most vibrant churches foster a Bible study culture where everyone embraces the privilege and responsibility of digging into God’s word.

Who Will Go?

I don’t write to provoke guilt. Rather, think of the vast opportunity! The children of your church need a teacher, someone who loves God and is committed to His word. Someone who wants to help young people follow Jesus and be changed by the Scriptures. Someone who wants to influence the next generation for the kingdom of God.

Might God be calling you to step forward?

Play the Long Game When Teaching Bible Study

By

“You can’t win a golf tournament on Thursday, but you can lose it.”

Professional golf tournaments stretch over four days (usually Thursday through Sunday), so a strong opening round is essential. But without excellent play through the weekend, a player has no shot at the trophy. He needs a good start, but he needs more.

Stefan Waldvogel (2012), Public Domain

Stefan Waldvogel (2012), Public Domain

Indirect Instruction

A Sunday school class is a great venue for teaching Bible study skills. But direct instruction like this, while necessary, is only the beginning of lifelong training.

Imagine an aspiring novelist who attends an intense, week-long workshop, complete with all the instruction, feedback, and discussion one could want. A wise writer won’t just lean on this experience; he’ll use this learning, along with inspiration and ideas from ongoing reading, as he works toward a final product.

Over the long term, we all need reminders and examples of good Bible study. So whenever we teach the Bible, we should model and pass along Bible study skills.

How to Model Bible Study Skills

Most churches have numerous openings for Bible teaching: Sunday school classes, Wednesday night studies, even weekend seminars. To build a Bible study culture in our churches, we must take advantage of every opportunity.

When a teacher is intentional, modeling Bible study skills is neither difficult nor time consuming. Here are five suggestions.

1. Practice sound Bible study skills.

The other suggestions on this list are worthless if you’re not studying the Bible using a solid method. Teachers are an example of how to think about, understand, and apply the Bible. By God’s grace, make sure you’re an example worth following. (Start here if you need help learning to study the Bible.)

2. Choose your language.

Develop a “local language” around Bible study at your church so everyone knows what you’re talking about. On this blog we advocate the Observation, Interpretation, Application (OIA) method of Bible study, but the specific words you use aren’t important so long as the meaning is clear.

When teaching the Bible, discuss your observations about the text and use that word. Talk through the different interpretations that came up in your study. And so on. Repeating these words will remind the class about the different phases of Bible study.

3. Structure your teaching around Bible study principles.

If you want discussion in your class, use the structure provided by the different aspects of Bible study. Ask broadly for observations from the text, then start a conversation about repeated words, comparisons, connector words, etc.

On the heels of your observations, ask interpretation questions to move the class along. Having studied the passage yourself, you should be able to explain the main point.

Don’t forget application! Spur on your class by sharing how God has worked in you.

4. Recommend resources.

When modeling Bible study skills, the resources you recommend to your class are a powerful tool for Bible study instruction.

You might prepare a sheet for students to use for notes during class. Construct something simple with Bible study principles in mind. When I taught 1 Corinthians last fall, I emphasized the main point of a passage and subsequent applications. I designed my class handout with this in mind.

Additionally, consider recommending other resources on Bible study to interested students. There are many excellent websites and books on Bible study, including the Knowable Word book by Peter Krol (founder of this website). When people are looking to read and get training on their own, you can give them reliable places to turn.

5. Provide homework.

Some students in your class will be eager for extra work, and some…will not. Be careful to structure your class so no one is excluded.

Make a special effort to connect with the people who are hungry to learn, study, and grow. Your assignments may offer just the extra boost they need.

If you can work a week ahead in your class preparation, distribute a sheet of questions for your students to ponder between meetings. As they think about the relevant Bible text, your handout can guide them through the stages of Bible study.

If you aren’t this far ahead in your planning, encourage the class to study the upcoming passage on their own. Provide them with a few general Bible study guidelines, and urge those who are interested to take some OIA worksheets home with them.