Show Me That in Scripture… Please!

This article original appeard at Satisfaction through Christ .

I have had several opportunities over the last several years to lead Bible study classes. I now hold one in my home. It is such a joy and a delight to see women of all ages conforming to the truth of God’s word. I love to see hearts desiring truth over their own opinions or even their own desires. Any teacher, whether it be a school teacher, a Sunday school teacher, a homeschooling mom, or a Bible study teacher always love a teaching moment.I have had several of those moments over the years but one in particular always stands out in my mind. I was leading a group of High School students through a study in the book of Titus. I am not sure what prompted this discussion but one of the students mentioned a verse that his pastor had preached on the previous Sunday.

The “verse”

” If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish he will eat for the rest of his life.”

Teachable Moment!

Immediately, I knew I had a teaching moment. I said to the student, “Show me that in Scripture…Please!” He began to scour through his word looking for it. Other students were saying, yes, “I know that verse.” I instructed them to look it up so we would all know where it was. After several minutes no one was able to find it. I then asked one of the students to pull up the verse on her computer. Guess what, yes, you are right, it was not in the Scriptures.  It was actually a Chinese Proverb.

The students were a little embarrassed.

Do not worry, I made sure that they were given a lot of grace during this teaching moment. If this has ever happened to you, {it has happened to me too,} you are also being given much grace! I believe teaching moments are grace moments. They are designed to grow and strengthen us not tear us down.

Here are four suggestions I have for putting the word of God in our hearts and minds. Then if we follow these disciplines we will be prepared to say: “Show me that in Scripture…Please!”

Read your Word daily:

Reading your Bible on a daily basis should not and does not have to be a chore! We are invited to sit at the feet of Christ and listen to His words! What a privilege this is! I have taught my children since they were little to always set aside a time in the morning to read the word. {This worked for us. You decide what time of the day works for you.} I did not give them a reading plan, although I am not saying plans are bad.  Each of my children prayed and decided to just pick a book they wanted to read. They kept a list of which books they read and have continued this practice to this day. I read this way as well. It took them maybe 15-20 minutes a day to do this. I encouraged them and I  encourage you also, read through a complete book at a time. I do not necessarily mean in one sitting. This could take several days and that is ok! Reading a book through from beginning to the end of the book keeps everything in context. We must be careful that we keep everything in context. If we do not we will misinterpret God’s word. Because people do not practice keeping things in context we are left saying, “Show me that in Scripture…Please!”

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 

Memorize:

This is a real discipline and one I have to admit is a struggle for me. There are so many ways you can do this. Write the Scripture on index cards, carry them with you everywhere you go, tape them to your bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinet or refrigerator.  You can sit and speak the verse out loud to yourself or someone else, repeating it several times. You can also write it over and over and over. This is what I do. Writing the verse out is just the way I learn.

Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you. blessed are you, O lord; teach me Your statues. Psalm 119:11-12

Study:

Unlike reading, Bible Study takes more time and discipline. Bible Study is when you take a book of the Bible and pull it apart. I suggest again, studying an entire book at a time. Start at the beginning of the book and work through each verse in a systematic way. Do word studies, mark keywords… Use a notebook and take your own notes or use a solid study written by someone else. I want to emphasize solid. We must be careful what we are putting in our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, there are bad studies out there. Use wisdom and discernment when you decide to pick a study.

I would like to also say this, “STUDY THE BIBLE!” There are many books written on the Bible but they are not the Bible. I am not saying do not read books or blog posts that teach or talk about the Bible. But, they are not the Bible! As believers, we must be in the word of God ourselves. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. After we have spent time in His word  then we can read other books and blog posts, with caution. And if something is said that does not line up with Scripture we can say,
“Show me that in Scripture….Please!”

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;so that the man f God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Pray:

This should be first on the list! Pray, pray, pray! Never stop praying and asking God to teach you the truth of His word and to keep it in your heart!

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe your Law and keep it with all of my heart. Make me walk in te way of Your commandments, For I delight in them. psalm 119: 33-35

The next time you hear someone quote a verse or teach something that is not in the Scriptures, I pray that you have saturated yourselves in the Word and with great confidence are able to say,

Show me that in the Scriptures… Please!

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