IN TOUCH, September 2007

Why Study the Bible?

By Jacqui Komschlies

Because only the Bible has the power to change you.

Do you want to be different—your life to be different? Then spend time in God's Word. God says, "my word... will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). The Bible is different from every other book in the world, because by God’s power it works in you. I can testify to this. Nothing changed me more—not getting married, not having kids—than the year I spent going through the Bible the first time. My faith grew; my trust grew; my understanding grew! Plus, I really was changed, from the inside out.

When Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17), he was putting "life" into the Word for us. He asked God the Father to make the Word live in us, change us, transform us. It's an active, ongoing process. When Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"  (Matthew 4:4), he really meant that God's Word is just as important as food.

It may have seemed in the past that the Bible was too hard to understand, but, as Pastor Berger points out in the next article, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to help you understand. Just as a child learns to talk and then count and someday do algebra, so will you gradually understand as the Holy Spirit teaches you. The more you are in God's Word, the more you understand. It's like a ball rolling downhill. The more you are in God's Word, the more the Spirit works, the more you will understand and the greater the changes within you. God has work for you to do, and as God’s Word works within you, you are being perfectly prepared to do that work.

Because deception is coming.

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible (Matthew 24:4, 24). Deception is coming—so deceiving that even mature Christians can be fooled. You know that something like that doesn't just appear overnight. Deception is already building. Satan has had 6,000 years to practice his lies on us, and he's getting really good at it. The only way to protect yourself is to be in God's Word. Knowing what it says can help you recognize falsehood. 

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). Even Paul was checked up on—and he says this was a noble thing! He praised the Bereans for doing this. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, God tells us to test everything. Notsome things, but everything, including those things that come from the Christian book store, from your church—and from this newsletter! How do you do that? You get out your Bible and read it for yourself!

Because it’s fun!

Seven Simple Steps to Study the Bible

By Pastor Ben Berger

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26).

Our job is to study the Bible. The Holy Spirit provides understanding. Jesus promised his disciples and all believers that he would send the Holy Spirit to provide understanding to all he said. Too often we set aside our Bibles proclaiming, “It’s too hard to understand.” It’s not our job to understand; the Holy Spirit will provide understanding. It’s our job to study.

How? How do we study our Bibles and give the Holy Spirit the most opportunity to provide understanding? Let me offer seven simple steps to studying your Bible.

1) Begin with prayer. Ask God to keep his promise to send the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand, believe and apply the truths of Scripture.

2) Study the whole Bible. Too often we go looking for that one passage or that one section to meet our immediate needs. Realize that the entire Bible applies to our lives today. In one way or another, the entire Bible points to Jesus and Jesus is the center of our lives. This doesn’t mean you have to read the Bible front to back (although many people do benefit from that). Pick a book and start there. Then move onto another.
3) Learn the context. Reading a book (rather than a passage here and there) will help learn context. Who is the author? Who is the audience? At what time in history was that book written? Try to put yourself in the sandals of the listeners.

4) Determine the meaning. What facts, truths and principles are stated? What spiritual problems are addressed? What comfort is offered? Can you find Jesus in the section you are studying? Remember that God really wants to help. James tells us, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).
 
5) Relate the truths to your life. What does the Holy Spirit want you to believe? What actions does he encourage you to take? What sins does this section lead you to confess? How does this section show you Jesus as Savior?

6) Verbalize your thoughts. You can do this privately by keeping a journal. Writing will help you remember what you’ve studied and better apply it to your life. You could also think about how you would explain or share this section with a family member or friend (and maybe even do it).

7) End with prayer. Ask forgiveness for any sins you realized. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you faith to believe in forgiveness for those sins. And again ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and the ability to act on the truths you learned.

Teaching a Teenager

By Kathy Kolell

Question: how do you teach a teenager? Answer: very carefully. It’s hard especially when they look at you with the “I-dare-you-to-stimulate-my-brain-cells” look. We can safely leave English, math and science to the school teachers. But parents can get uncomfortable talking to teenagers about their faith.

Sometimes, with my own teenagers, I wonder how much is getting into their heads and their hearts. My husband and I take our children to church every Sunday. When I glance over at them—slouched over, playing with their hair, distracted by their little brother’s shenanigans—I get a little nervous. I wonder if this faith is their own. How do we parents lead and guide those who are looking to cut the apron-strings?

The Bible says: “Train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Train means teach, disciple and lead. I want belief in Jesus to be real. Not just because Mom and Dad believe it and not because we make them go to church. I want them to know deep down how much God loves them. I want them to know God’s word is reliable no matter what happens.

There are some things we as parents can do. Most importantly, remember that our children’s faith in Jesus isn’t something we can create for them. We can set a good example by letting them see us read the Bible and go to church, but ultimately God the Holy Spirit creates the faith and makes it grow.

First, pray for your children. The Bible says “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God creates and makes faith grow. Ask for a strong, deep faith for your children, one that can withstand anything.

Second, lead by example. Faith can’t grow without hearing the Word of God. Teens need to be encouraged to read the Bible. Tell them that God will speak to them when they read it. Tell them that God strengthens their faith when they read. The Bible isn’t simply for Sunday, but for everyday.

Third, talk to teenagers. This can be hard for parents—it’s awkward. It may mean telling things we did wrong and how God leads  us through any difficulty. It may be embarrassing, but necessary because teens can smell hypocrisy. Be authentic even if it hurts. They may look away, groan, or do the dreaded eye-roll. But at least they’ll know they’re dealing with a real person who struggles to persevere and grow.

Last, don’t lose hope. The Bible says that hope is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”

GOD’S WORD IN YOUR LIFE

Heaven and Hell – The Edge of Eternity
What comes after we take our last breath?  Is there really a heaven?  What will it be like? This course will review what the Bible has to say about life beyond the grave.  Topics include: There is a heaven! Really!  Popular misconceptions.  That other place.  Living for Eternity.  Come and have your questions answered and your faith strengthened.

Date: Sundays, beginning September 9th
Time:  9:25-10:15 am
Leader:  Pastor Joel Zank

Jesus’ “I Am” Statements
Who is Jesus—really?  In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself as Bread, Light, a Gate, a Shepherd, a Vine, etc.  This study of Jesus’ “I am” statements will allow Jesus to define for himself his true identity, and at the same time reveal the many facets of his mercy and love for us.

Date: Sundays, beginning September 9th
Time:  9:25-10:15 am
Leader:  Pastor Robert Raasch

The Gospel of Matthew
Sit at Jesus’ feet for the Sermon on the Mount.  Watch as he heals the paralyzed man.  Listen as he points to the birds of the air to illustrate timeless truths.  Ponder the depth of the Savior’s love for you.  This midweek study, led by a veteran Bible scholar, will give young and old alike a chance to grow closer to Jesus, in the company of fellow students of the Word.  Senior citizens are especially welcome.

Date: Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 12th
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Leader: Pastor Burton Stensberg

Small Group Bible Studies

Did you forget to feed your kids?

Feed them spiritually, that is? It’s back-to-school time, but while you’re outfitting your kids for the academic year, don’t forget that they need to be even more ready for eternity. When children learn how much Jesus loves them – enough to die for them – their souls are fed. When they learn that God has a plan for their lives, known to him since the beginning of time, their lives have true meaning.

Mount Olive offers Sunday School as one way to assist parents in caring for the spiritual needs of their children. When it comes right down to it, there is nothing more important than where your children will spend eternity. It’s more important than sports or grades, clothes or looks.

Seeking Answers?

Find them in the New Life in Christ class

How much sin is too much? What happens when I die? God has answers for your questions in his Word. This class offers a complete overview of  Bible teachings plus practical applications for your life today. This class is also for you if you want a refresher course in Christian doctrine, a foundation for marriage renewal or pre-marital training. You’ll find out what the Wisconsin Synod believes and teaches and be prepared for membership at Mount Olive, if that’s what you desire. Call for more information: 739-9194.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.