Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
Connecting the unconnected
The battle for community within the family of faith is a reality. We are pulled in so many different directions people use calendar apps to keep up with when Johnny has to be at football, Suzy has to be at cheerleading, Dominique has to be at gymnastics, and the dog has to be at the vet’s office.
In single parent homes the strain is compounded with one person working and trying to coordinate extracurricular activities, ensure homework is completed, dinner gets served, clothes washed, and work done. Even when there are two parents it seems there is hardly enough time for everything, so carving out time to connect with those in the faith family can be a real challenge.
There is no Greater Time to get Connected
As a Pastor, I have never sensed a greater time for our people to become connected to a local church and in a group. Living disconnected, frazzled lives is leading to disastrous lifestyle choices, separated families, and little faith that leads to a carnal way of living. People need to be under the teaching of God’s Word through worship services and a weekly group, just as God has instructed. We need to always observe the “First Day” of the week like God desires it to be, rather than lower its value as being done by many today.
One of the goals of Bible Studies for Life is to connect people to the family of faith. This strategy combats the isolation or detachment created by the busyness of our lives. Biblical application is essential for those who are overwhelmed by decisions, distractions, and disruptions. Getting into the Word consistently teaches us how the truths contained in it make our lives different.
Connect and Influence
In addition to our need to connect those inside the family of faith to a group for Bible study, we need to connect with those who are outside the family of faith. This means influencing our unbelieving co-workers, classmates, neighbors, and family members.
Many people who are not believers do recognize that they have spiritual needs. They know they have needs but they do not necessarily know what to do about them. They are in darkness needing light.
What does Bible Studies for Life offer?
A Resource for Connecting and Learning
Compelling studies that meet people where they are. We all have experienced a boring Bible lesson. Imagine how difficult it is for someone new to get connected to a group and feel like the discussion is relevant to his or her life. Bible Studies for Life is designed to draw people into discussion, challenge thinking with biblical truth, and provide practical help.
The scriptural basis for these connections is the Lord’s encounter with the woman at the well in John’s Gospel. Jesus knew this woman needed to be connected to His Father, so He started a conversation to make the connection. Bible Studies for Life is designed to help you get conversations started.
As we redesigned Bible Studies for Life, we became convinced that at least twice a year, we needed to do the kind of lessons that provided Christians a ramp to engage their unchurched and lost friends into relevant, practical lessons from the Bible. I really believe the Bible Studies for Life curriculum series will provide you opportunities to reach people that are not being reached for Christ. Be a part of this growing movement beginning this fall. You will be glad you did.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd, General Editor
Bible Studies for Life Curriculum Series
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The impact of the Bible on culture…and on us
Have you ever thought about how Jesus viewed the Old Testament? Since the Old Testament was the entire Bible in His day, His view of it can be understood as His view of the Bible.
Matthew has the first record of Jesus’ temptations. When Satan came to Jesus in the wilderness in order to tempt Jesus, the Savior’s response was to quote Scripture. His strength to resist temptation was found in obedience to God’s Word.
Later, when confronting the Pharisees, Jesus said, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” How trustworthy were the writings of Moses? Jesus, the living Word of God, equated Moses’ words with His own.
Following His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples walking to the town of Emmaus. During the ensuing discussion Luke relates that Jesus began “with Moses and all the Prophets” interpreting “for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (24:27). Later, after Jesus vanished before their very eyes they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” (v 32).
The Word of God changes us. It is not possible to take the Word of God into our hearts, minds and souls and come away the same. And as the Word of God changes us, we change culture.
Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Both of these explain how we influence those around us. As we grow in the Spirit and the Word we are compelled to demonstrate the love of Christ around us. We learn how to respond to cultural challenges by God’s Word.
In the Old Testament the men of Issachar’s tribe were known for having an understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do in every situation. How do we know what to do, how to understand culture, how to influence it? Through God’s Word.
The mistake we sometimes make is trying to use God’s Word for changing culture without allowing its changing work in us first. We are quick to condemn the sins of others, point out a few select verses and preach loud and long. Never mind we regularly overlook Scriptures condemning our own preferred sins.
In our blindness we think the world hears our words rather than our actions. They are not so easily fooled. Neither can we try to clean up ourselves mainly so we can call out the sins of culture. We cannot remove the log from our own eyes for the sole purpose of pointing out the splinter in the eye of society. Culture will be better served when we show holiness birthed in a pursuit of God, rather than a quick, critical spirit.
When we pursue God and become immersed in His Word, our image is more conformed to Christ. When we show love instead of hate, patience instead of curtness, gentleness instead of harshness, mercy instead of judgment, or diligence instead of slothfulness, Christ is displayed. And when Christ is displayed doors will open to share the Gospel. As people accept the Christ of the Gospel they, and eventually the culture, are changed.
When I think about Bible Studies for Life I anticipate both personal and cultural change. When the Bible meets life, things change!
I pray God’s Word so powerfully changes us that culture cannot help but feel the impact person by person.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.