I have noticed a disturbing trend among my students,
many of whom come from devout families and growing
churches: they are biblically illiterate and therefore
spiritually fragile. In many congregations worship has
become a spectator sport, geared to a generation
fashioned by the slick tricks of the media. The "feel
good" experience has replaced the hard discipline of
knowing God in spirit and truth. The church's vocation
in the world is to be of and for God, and this is a
difficult and often costly calling. Christians today
must have minds as tough as nails, able to cut through
the vapid secularism and materialism of our world with
the "word of truth."
Every believer today is under siege; the church's
witness--even its faith in God--is threatened by the
norms and values of a pervasively anti-God world. To
support and direct God's people for their daily
battles, preaching must be informed by a rigorous
study of biblical texts. The church's teaching
ministry must help its members understand all of life
through a scriptural filter. If we are to know the
truth and the demands of God's reign and to better
understand the deceits of our anti-God world, so that
we are prepared to worship and bear witness to the
Lord, our congregations need to gather closely around
the Scriptures.
4 comments:
I think its Col. 3:16 rather than vs. 14, n'est-ce pas?
Yes, unfortunately there are many young "unarmed" and vulnerable Christians walking around without "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
jackrussell
Well, actually it's most of Chapter 3's commentary..
Cathy:
I read this post a few days ago and it has been stirring in me ever since then esp in relation to my boys. when i was a kid, i hungered for the word. i read it every night. unfortunately, they have no desire for it. sure, i read to them and yes they have memorized some of it but there is little or no hunger for them to seek on their own. (they are 11 and 14) your post has prompted me to be more diligent in praying for them that they would be stirred deep within for the word. i cannot control them; i can merely lead them to the water and pray they realize their need to drink.
THANKS!
Karen
Sometimes, those who have been raised in the church are the hardest to reach - they almost become innoculated. As far as our children, we can deal with the outside, but only the Holy Spirit can deal with the inside. Prayer is vital but also the role of father as priest in the home.
I regret that I may have learned this lesson too late..
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