From an old tattered, typewritten paper. Nothing has basically changed and this was pre-Internet days. We have more ways to study than any other time and yet studies show that many Christians are still not studying. I'm convicted by my own paper.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I believe that we can provoke adults, in a biblical way, to study the Bible on their own in three ways. We must show them the need, the example and the tools.
First, we must show them the need. In this busy world there are too many things that demand our attention, and just telling someone they should read their Bible is not enough. We must take them to the Bible itself and show them from the Word that it is the only way to a healthy Christian life.
We must show them that they cannot keep from sin or produce fruit unless they are in the Word of God themselves. We must show them that it is commanded of them. We must take solid practical applications in our teaching so that they can see that there is a solution for their needs and problems and not just for the people of Bible times.
We are often so general in our Bible teaching. We are afraid to name specifics. That is why people read Scripture in a general way and not to find specific answers. They read it like a history book or novel because that is the way we teach. We must show them the need.
Secondly, we must show them the example. We must always be ready to show how our personal study related to our life. If we can show them how such and such verse affected our life today showing them how we gained the knowledge it may develop a thirst in them. If we only teach from quarterlies and show that we prepared five minutes before class time we cannot expect them to spend much more time than that. Let our lives show the power of the Word and it will be like a light drawing moths. We must show the example.
Finally, we must show them the tools. Too many of our church members rely only upon Scofield notes or none at all. They may remember a part of a verse that blessed their hearts or gave them strength but do not know how to look it up to be sure they have it in context. They may be building false concepts because the English word just does not convey the full meaning of the original Greek or Hebrew.
They can be helped if they are informed about the proper tools. Professor LeGrand told of a fellow that had never heard of a concordance. When he got one he dug into the Scripture like a beaver building a dam. This is the Bible Belt and people are still ignorant of even the basic tools for study. Is it any wonder that many are weak? We need to do something about this. We need to show them the tools.
Many would cop out and say that it is up to the Lord to convict them of their need to study. I agree to an extent. Some people will not read billboards let alone the Bible. These temperamental problems God will have to deal with, but many just do not study because they do not see the real need. They have seen some Christian teachers and preacher get away with little or no study. They have not seen the example. They would not know a concordance from a dictionary. They have no seen the tools. WE need to provoke them by fulfilling those needs and God will do the rest.
Submitted for extra credit for Pre-34 Christian Education of Adults, 7:30, Dr. Allred, April 28,1982
Piedmont Bible College, Winston-Salem, NC
