As I read the story of the Good Samaritan during my devotional today, I was reminded of the times that I have heard the story in the Christian education setting of the local church--as a youngster in primary and intermediate classes (old terminology), as a young adult in college classes, and then as an adult, often teaching the passage myself. The characters and story line are very familiar due to these experiences of Christian education.
These are challenging times for Christian education in the church. Like so much of what is happening in the church today, the old forms do not seem to support present needs. What once worked no longer seems to be effective. Christian education or the formation of believers is in a state of flux.
In an article on ethicsdaily.com, retired professor Colin Harris addresses this issue. He points out that the period of the 60’s and 70’s “saw the beginnings of a loss of vitality within the educational dimension of church ministry, as the ‘school model’ of Sunday School and related programs began to lose its centrality for the nurturing task within church fellowships.”
As I think about the shifting role of Christian education or formation in the church today, I am drawn to the centrality of scripture in this process. The Bible is our most important resource. There are four things that we must address more effectively in regard to the biblical text.
First, learners need to be familiar not only with content but the context. Not only do we need to know the characters and stories of the Bible, but we should understand the overall flow of the message of scripture, the context in which a passage was written, and the intended audience. My Bible study class members seemed relieved Sunday when I noted that our lessons were moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament. They struggle with passages that express an intent of God to either kill a large number of people or to instruct God’s people to do so. How do we help learners to understand the underlying intent and meaning of such passages?
Second, we must help learners conceptualize the nature and formation of scripture. Most believers approach the Bible as a one-dimensional book. They may understand intellectually that there are different kinds of writing both in the Old and New Testaments, but this rarely impacts their interpretation and application. They tend to see the Bible as a flat plain with little differentiation in topographical features. They fail to see the literary richness and diversity. The scriptures grew out of a dynamic context which is clearly reflected in their content.
Third, we can help learners adopt appropriate lenses through which to interpret scripture. One of these lenses is the person and work of Christ. The way Jesus used the Old Testament provides us with a transformative view of the Hebrew writings. We also have the lens of the Holy Spirit. Just as the biblical writings developed in a dynamic context, the Spirit continues to intercede with us to provide insights that are appropriate to our lives and times.
Fourth, application is essential for those who study the Bible; otherwise, we are engaging in a ritualistic, scholastic exercise that fails to reach the goal of forming disciples. Through the Spirit, God continues to use scripture not only to instruct and form us but to transform us as well.
Much of the decline of Christian influence today comes from our failure to form disciples who have a healthy understanding of scripture and how it informs our daily lives. Believer, scripture, and Spirit can interact in a way that brings transformation in the life of the believer and furthers the work of God’s kingdom.
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