BATTLING ILLITERACY

BATTLING ILLITERACY

Friday, November 10, 2017

Psalm [ESV] 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

  Surveys show that in the last 2 generations the level of Bible literacy has diminished considerably. Have you noticed this? I have. Why do you think this is so? (I’ll publish your reasons as a list next week.)

  The main reason I study Scripture, ponder and write out my thoughts is I desire to please God as “a workman approved” honoring Him in learning and providing answers to others whether personally convenient or not. (Rom.12:1-3; 2Tim.2:15; 4:2; 1Pet.3:15) Additionally, though not my goal, but none-the-less the effort to know and walk in the counsel of God provides me with blessed assurance. How can it not? God promises such result! (Ps.1:1-6)

  Efforts are being made to encourage and aid people in Bible literacy. I share an effectual one in particular: Kay Arthur is cofounder of Precept Ministries and author of How to Study Your Bible and numerous other study books on Bible topics. In the recent issue of Answers in Genesis magazine she stated “This past summer our three Teen Boot Camps did an inductive study on Genesis [chapters] 1-3. We didn’t tell them what to believe; rather we showed them how to discover truth for themselves. They spent six hours a day studying and discussing Genesis in relationship to the rest of the Word. It was life transforming!

  Genesis is the book of beginnings! The other 65 books build on the foundation of Genesis. If we don’t accept Genesis as God breathed it, how can we believe anything else that is written from Exodus to Revelation? Its foundation is to be built on – not ignored, disregarded, or denigrated!”

  My thoughts today leave us with the question of am I contributing to Bible illiteracy by my level of ignorance and/or close mouthness, or I am investing Bible literacy?

EBB4

PS. “Kay Arthur's exciting, practical approach to the Scriptures has influenced thousands to use the Inductive Bible Study Method in their personal studies. Her distinguished Christian character, Bible teaching, championing of the Inductive Bible Study Method, and national radio and television programs motivate others to discover truth for themselves. Kay's passion is for people to be established in God's Word.” Source Christian Book Distributors (CBD) https://www.christianbook.com/page/christian-authors/kay-arthur?search=Kay%20Arthur