Do We Need Gospel-Centered Bible Study for Our Kids?
by Trevin Wax on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
This article is courtesy of ParentLife Magazine.
How do you teach the Bible to your kids? Do you worry that Bible study is not impacting their hearts but that the primary message you are giving to your children is simply that they need to "be good?"
What sometimes gets lost in the journey through Bible stories is the good news of what Christ has done to save the lost. In other words, in focusing on behavior, we may be missing the heart-change brought about by the gospel. Check out these four truths that should be a hallmark of a Bible study centered on the gospel.
1. The Bible tells one big story
When we take Bible stories out of context to glean moral lessons from them, we can leave kids with the impression that the Bible is much like Aesop's fables - interesting tales with moral application. Even though the Bible has moral application, it actually tells one overarching story. These stories fit together. They tell us the story of our world - where we've come from and where we are going. It's important that children recognize how these Bible stories are connected.
2. The Bible is about God
Once we recognize that the Bible is telling us a great story, we discover the truth that we are not the main characters. The Bible is about God. He is the hero. These stories provide us with moral application, yes. But before we get to application, we ought to ask, "What does this story tell us about God?" If the Bible's big story is about God bringing about redemption of His fallen world, then what picture of God do we see in the smaller stories?
3. The Bible points us to Jesus
One of the statements I like to make from time to time is that "Bible study won't necessarily change your life." What I mean is this: Just because you know the Bible doesn't mean the Word will bear fruit in your life. It is possible to know the Scriptures, read the Scriptures, revere the Scriptures, study the Scriptures, and miss the point entirely. Jesus told the Jewish leaders of the day that even though they had meticulous knowledge of the Old Testament, they had missed the truth that the Old Testament is ultimately about Him. Whenever we study the stories of the Bible, we need to ask how they point us to Christ. The reason God's Word changes our life is because in the Scriptures we are introduced to Jesus, the Author.
4. The Bible calls for obedience grounded in the gospel and in the power of the Holy Spirit
Now, back to moral principles and application. Biblical behavior should not flow from obligation and compulsion. God cares about our hearts. Our hearts are not changed by the commands of the Law. Our hearts are changed when they overflow with love for the Savior. As we experience the grace of what God has done for us in Christ, our hearts are free to worship and obey. It's important that we take care not to give our children commands without showing them how the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, gives them the strength to obey these commands.
The purpose of Bible study is to know God and make Him known. The Bible unveils Jesus Christ as the focal point of human history. All creation exists by Him, through Him, to Him, and for Him. That's the only kind of Bible study that will change your life.
