Biblical Literacy - Part 4

Can I just say that I've had a lot of fun with you this week? If you're new here, let me just re-cap again: we're spending a few days this week testing our Biblical Literacy, and by that I mean - how well do we know the Word of God and how it applies to our lives? Please go back and quiz yourself to see if you know the answers from the past few days.

Yesterday I asked you about the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit, and I got two really great answers. I'm really proud of us so far! I'd just like to add my explanation of the between the two, in support of what Denise and Jama wrote yesterday.

The Gifts of the Spirit are given to every Christ-follower upon his or her confession of faith in Jesus for eternal Salvation, and are given for the two-fold purpose of 1. edification of the Church 2. spreading of the Gospel into all the World. We should all aim to use our gifts consistently. The Fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand, are evidences of God's power in our lives to transform us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus, through the working of the Holy Spirit in us. Every Christ-follower should generally see a growth of these fruits throughout the course of his or her life. If you're not seeing more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, I would suggest you need to do one of the following: 1. Check yourself - do you accept Jesus as your Savior? Is He the Lord of your life? (2 Corinthians 13:5-6) 2. Surrender once again and daily to the Holy Spirit and His influence over your life. Cooperate with His will and allow Him to mold you into the person God created you to be. Remember: maturity is gradual.

Okay, so on to our next question for a prize! If you don't remember the rules, here they are again: open-Book, provide scripture reference to back-up your answer, and the first one to comment below with the correct answer wins a super-great prize!

Question #4: Who was the reigning king in Judah when Babylon invaded the nation of God's people and sent them into Exile, and in what year did this happen? For bonus points: Explain the significance of the Exile in the History of God's people. (I told you they'd get harder)

Ready, Set . . .

Biblical Literacy - Part 3

If you're just joining us, we've been doing something new this week - a test in our Biblical literacy. We've also been learning some more about the Bible and what Jesus wants us to know. Yesterday I pulled a dirty prank and asked you to find a reference for something that's not really in the Bible, but many people quote it as if it were. Dawn and Jim knew their stuff, though, and we talked about how it's important that we know the difference between Bible and mythology. BIG difference.

And before I ask my question for the prize of the day, I'd like to talk to you a little about one reason NOT to study the Bible: Pride in your own knowledge.

Ironic, I know, but truly God - here's what I read from my daily reading plan this morning: "Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels . . . What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either." - Matthew 23:5, 13 (NLT).

Ouch.

Please take a minute today to read all of Matthew 23. It just might be the most hard-nosed portion of Jesus' ministry on earth. He berates the teachers of the Scriptures over and over, saying their knowledge of the Bible is not enough because their actions do not align with, but rather contradict the law they've memorized. It's all a show. A Broadway-like production featuring pride, pride, and more pride. And it absolutely disgusted Jesus.

So, as we talk about learning, knowing, and understanding the Bible, there's one big reason NOT to, and that's for flaunting your knowledge in front of others. Don't. If that's your reason for learning, just put it down now and pray first. Ask God to show you what His Word is truly purposed for: redemptive love. He shows us His love for humanity, His sacrifice to redeem us, and subsequent ways we can reciprocate that love back to Him and others. THAT, my friends is why I believe Biblical Literacy is important.

"Okay, okay . . . get to the question already, Robyn," you say.

Here goes. Remember, it's open-Book, and I want references. The first to answer in the comments gets a super-fantastic prize. And please chime in about your thoughts on Biblical Literacy - I'm curious what you think, too.

#3 Name at least 3 Spiritual Gifts and at least 3 Fruits of the Spirit and explain the difference between the two categories. (see, I told you they'd get a little harder each day.)

Ready, set . . .

Biblical Literacy - Part 2

Yesterday Jim answered correctly that a gentle answer turns away wrath. May we remember that in our moments of heated discussions and arguments.

To re-cap, we're doing a series of Bible trivia questions as a test of our Biblical literacy. Since the Bible is the basis of our beliefs (or, rather, it should be), we want to know it. For me personally, I'm a perpetual student of the Bible. I'm absolutely enthralled with the fact that I learn something new, fresh, and full of life-application every time I open it. No joke! And I think I open it just about every day.

I'd also like to take a moment to challenge you to read the Bible from cover to cover if you never have. Truthfully, you might come across some confusing or boring passages, but you know what - KEEP GOING! I have realized that after I've read the entire context of the Bible, when I go back and read those parts again, they actually make more sense to me and sometimes it's exciting to see how even a set of ancient laws or a list of names can come alive with discovery when I see how it fits into the mosaic puzzle of the whole of Scripture. Try it. I dare you.

Here comes our second test, but even if you're not the first to answer, put your response in the comments too, as well as your thoughts on what I asked yesterday: Would you call yourself Biblically literate? How would you define the term? How important is it to you?

The first one to comment with the correct answer gets a super-fantastic prize. Open-book. One question per day. Scripture reference to back up your answer. They'll get harder as we go.

Ready, set . . .

#2 (Fill in the blank) Heaven helps those who help ________________. (remember to include your scripture reference to back up your answer)