Is This Scripture Education?

Chapter 7

Day 3

 We find in the Old Testament the requirement of the parents to teach their children, not only the spiritual teachings, but also to teach them a trade. In today’s society we depend on the preacher and Sunday School Teacher to teach our children the scriptures, and we depend on college to teach them a trade. This is not happening. Because of new people coming into the church frequently, the preachers and teachers are stuck on teaching the milk of the scriptures out of necessity (1 Cor 3: 1-4).

To learn a trade you must go to a trade school now. The world has decreed that you must have some type of certificate to own a business now. At the least you must pass their test and get a license. Our government is paying farmers not to farm or raise cattle and the trade schools are teaching short cuts not the basics. What a world we live in.

In the New Testament we learn a new word. This is the definition given by the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.

Edification

(Gk. oikodomeô, “building”). Means building up. A building is therefore called an edifice. Accordingly, the work of confirming believers in the faith of the gospel and adding to their knowledge and grace is appropriately expressed by this term. Christians are said in the NT to be edified by understanding spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 14:3-5), by the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12, “building up”), and by good speech (Ephesians 4:29).

The means to be used for one’s edification is the study and hearing of God’s Word, prayer, use of the sacraments, meditation, self-examination, and Christian work of every kind. It is our duty to edify or “build up one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) by the exhibition of every grace of life and conversation.

The term is also applied to believers as “living stones” building up into a habitation for the Lord, constituting the great spiritual temple of God (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5).

 According to Paul we as Christians are responsible to edify each other (1 Thess 5:11). In order for us to accomplish the task, we must first understand the scriptures ourselves. This is the area most people fall short because they are waiting for the preacher or the teacher just as the church in Corinth did.

In all of his letters to the churches, Paul included teachings for them. These teachings were designed to edify the people in the church and help them edify others. These teachings from Paul still apply to us today.

Jesus, in His teachings found in the four Gospels, wanted the followers to know about God. He wanted them to know about salvation and the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the “Helper”  to help us in many areas. One of these areas was knowledge. The theory still works today. Now for my famous line. God does not use a magic wand. For the Holy Spirit to help us learn, we must pick up the bible and make an effort. You can’t depend on the world to teach you about God.

        Many try to satisfy this requirement by going to a Seminary. Our seminaries are good, but they teach “isms.” You first must learn about God and the only way you can learn about God is to study with Him. Then if you want to learn your particular brand of “ism,” then go to a seminary. You won’t be disappointed.

Daily Bible Readings:

1. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 2:1-16