Getting Past The Kindergarten Version Of Our Bible

Do you still remember the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School lessons you had as a kid? Do you remember walls falling down, giants being knocked over, whales vomiting people up, friends breaking through roofs, and boys in fiery furnaces?

We've been studying through the book of Acts with our Sunday school class. They range in age from sixth grade to seniors in high school, so there's quite a span. It's a challenge every week to find just the right mix of Scripture, questions, activities, getting out of our chairs, and listening intently. It's hard to keep brains active without filling them to overflowing.

We are blessed that by the time the youth are old enough for our room, their children's class teachers have given them an amazing foundation. For the most part, they know where books of the Bible are, who the main characters are throughout, have some favorite verses memorized, and can tell you some basic timelines and themes. Not every youth group has that prep work done for them, but God has gone above and beyond for us.

Danny and I believe it's our responsibility to build on that knowledge and help them find the wisdom in the Scriptures, how to take what they know and what they're learning and apply it to their lives. That's when you get beyond the kindergarten coloring page version of the Bible and see it as a living, breathing book that comes straight from the heart of God.

Yes, we play games, but they're pointing toward the Bible study in fun and interesting ways.

Yes, we'll work some puzzles, but that's to get their brains cranked up so they're thinking clearly during the lesson.

Yes, we laugh and talk, but that's so we know each other as fellow Christians and pilgrims on this earth together.

Yes, there are treats and prizes, but ultimately we want them to know that what they walk away with isn't stuff - it's a closer walk with the Lord.

So right now we're taking the book of Acts - the story of the first-century church - and going beyond the basics. They've discovered that there's more to their Bible than they've ever learned before: the ascension, what the rapture will look like, who gave the first sermons, the truth about body decomposition, how a stoning would have happened, why the disciples lived communally and what happened when that trust was broken, why Saul's radical change was absolutely necessary. We're digging deep, and we're opening eyes and hearts.

And this mining for gold doesn't stop in high school or college. With a little effort, we adults can dig in and dig deep below the surface of these Bible accounts. But that's the key - it's going to take some effort, and many people don't want to put in the time and energy necessary. And the nuggets of wisdom and grace God has placed under there are beyond worth it.

So what does it take to get past the kindergarten version of our Bibles?

* Daily reading - on the side of this blog is a daily Bible reading guide. It includes a passage so you can read through the Bible in a year, five psalms, and one chapter of proverbs. By reading these every day, you'll read through Psalms and Proverbs every month, and the whole Bible every year. 

* Study books and tools - you don't have to have a library of thousands of books to be able to study the Bible well, just a handful of titles and authors to get you started. At the beginning of every month, I post what books I read the previous month with some recommendations. Or ask your pastor, pastor's wife, or Sunday School teacher for their suggestions. People who read love to talk about what they're reading!

* A good journal - you don't have to write out your deepest, darkest feelings. That's not the kind of journaling I'm talking about. As you read those really great books and tools, write down anything that catches your eye. Jot down some questions for the pastor or your Sunday School teacher. If the author mentions another great book or writer, write that down, too, so you don't forget. At the end of the week or month, go back through that journal and pay attention to what you wrote down - that's what was important to you in the moment as you studied God's word.

* Church and Sunday School attendance - yes, even for adults. You can't learn what you don't hear, and there's no recreating what your pastor preaches on Sundays and Wednesdays. Remember that he's been praying for God to use him to tell you what you need to hear. Take advantage of that humility and be there to soak up everything.

* Quiet time - of course you can read, study, and pray with the television on, people around, and the windows open. But quiet time, away from the noise and confusion of the world around you, eliminates the distractions and lets you focus on the God of the universe.

What's something special you've learned about Scripture when you've taken the time to get past the kindergarten version?