Down illiteracy’s path

My mission to study the Bible began as a reaction to the video/DVD series leadership that seems to dominate small groups. You know what I mean: the group watches a leader on a TV screen and uses a workbook to follow through with what is being said.

I’ve never said much about my opinion aloud, nor do I want to offend those who find this type of study meaningful. But, I think Christians are becoming biblically illiterate because they are bombarded with Christian media. Christian living books, Christian self-help books, teaching videos, evangelistic pamphlets, special retreats, television speakers, and much more dominate how we introduce new Christians to the faith.

This problem is not limited, however, to those new in their walk with Christ. In leading women in Bible study, I have seen women who have accepted Christ, 10 or even 20 years ago, who understand little of the Bible.

I even admit that prior to starting my own purposeful study of the Bible, I knew little myself. For most of my Christian walk, I have relied on the knowledge of my leaders; and thankfully, God has blessed me with good ones. However, each of us is responsible to give account before God (Romans 14:12, Matthew 12:36, Hebrews 4:13).

We are warned numerous times in many of Paul’s letters and in the words of Jesus, not to be led astray by false teachings. If we are not aware of what the correct ones are and cannot actively form our positions due to lack of biblical knowledge, discerning who is and who is not a false teacher becomes difficult if not impossible.

We can also lead others astray through lack of biblical knowledge. We can misquote Scripture, misinterpret something we think we remember Jesus saying, or even say something is in the Bible that isn’t; all because we aren’t reading the Word for ourselves.

The way the Bible works through the power of the Spirit is a mystery even to Christians who are experiencing it happening in their lives. It starts with Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit would come and teach us all things (John 14). The Holy Spirit is referred to as the counsellor, the Spirit of Truth, and a “deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 5:5).

The Spirit enables us to understand the things of God and the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:14–16). As you read the Word, the Spirit guides and gives you wisdom and understanding into what you are reading. The key is, we must get into the Word in order for the Spirit to reveal these things to us. Our wisdom as Christians comes from the Spirit expressed in the Word of God.

We seem to have so little time these days; how do we fit in time to read the Word? Maybe our houses should be left messy for an afternoon. Maybe we should turn off the TV, the radio, the CD player, the computer, stay home for the night, and not answer the phone, just read the Word. “The word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Why would we want less of it in our lives?

It is the lack of attention to our relationship with Jesus that leads us down illiteracy’s path. It is our tendency to seek out the quick fix, the easy solution, the book that shows us the eight easy steps to success or the twelve step program to fulfillment, which sends us there. We must be reminded through daily reading of the Bible that “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Biblical literacy is what lies behind the very things we do as Christians. Our knowledge of the Word directs us as we mature in Christ and as we lead those in our influence.

Back in April of 2004, I began a study of the book of John as my backdrop for a women’s Bible study. (I had spent the previous five months encouraging my group to spend time reading the Bible, yet we were studying a book.)

It meant more work on my part, but I was confident we would reap rewards from seeking out lessons from His Word. It was the beginning of my own journey to biblical literacy. I have not turned back since that time; and have seen an incredible yearning for biblical knowledge as my group has grown from 12 to 22. As I look to the future, I know the Spirit will show me what’s next in our study of the Bible.

Maria Hankey attends Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, Coquitlam, B.C.