Our Faith-Book Pages Series

1. Ignorance and the Bible (S. Shepherd Committed to the Bible; SermonCentral.com)

NEWSWEEK had an article entitled, “No Allusions in the Classroom.” The article told about 26 people in the college classroom, ranging in age from 18 to 54. All of these people had completed at least one-quarter of their college work. They were given 86 questions to answer, which centered on simple facts about the world. Here is what some of those people said in answer to those questions.

• Ralph Nader was a baseball player.

• Christ was born in the 16th century.

• J. Edgar Hoover was a 19th century president.

• Sid Caesar was an early Roman emperor.

• Dwight D. Eisenhower was a president in the 17th century.

If you think this is bad, listen to this.

• A group of high school juniors and seniors in one of our better schools in the nation who were headed for college were given a quiz about the Bible. Here are the results of that quiz:

• Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers.

• The N.T. was written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.

• Eve was created from an apple.

• Jesus was baptized by Moses.

• Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David.

Ignorance abounds and Biblical ignorance is even worse!

• Someone once asked, “What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?” A man replied, “I don’t know and I don’t care.” And that’s about how it is when it comes to many people in regard to the Word of God. “I don’t know anything about the Bible and I don’t care.”

2. Polls have found:

90% of Americans own at least one Bible; 80% say that the Bible is the most influential book of all time

• The problem is most Americans aren’t reading the book

• In this congregation – about 10% of our baptized membership are “Daily Bible Readers” by their own report;

Yeshua (Jesus) quoted from Deuteronomy 8.3 in his testing with Satan in Matthew 4.4:

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

• When was the last time you missed a meal?

• How often do you miss reading the Bible?

3. 2 Timothy 3.14-17

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

4. Parents can have a profound effect on the spiritual development of your children by making the Bible an important part of your life. Let them see you read it; talk to them about it; encourage their study of it –We have included a “Take It Home” activity for you to use with your kids; within your HOME Group; or with anyone you want to share this with

I. Faith Grows Best When Begun Early

how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (3.15)

• Daniel Webster: "If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."

A. The Significance of Childhood

1. A time to know God – Ecclesiastes 12.1

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

2. Lifelong Impact – Psalm 37.25-26

I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread.

26 He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.

3. Becoming child-like – Matthew 18.1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.