Reading With A Purpose

Guest post by Josh Creel

Have you ever said or heard someone say, “I don’t understand the Bible,” or “I read the Bible, but I don’t come away with anything,”? Bible study is clearly important for the Christian because the Scriptures reveal the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), reveal all we need (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and will judge us (John 12:48-50). So, what can we do to profit more from our Bible study? How can we insure that we come away with something each time we read the Scriptures? Try answering these questions whenever you read the Bible:

  1. What commands are there to obey?
  2. What examples are there to follow?
  3. What sins are there to avoid?
  4. What promises are there to receive? Are those promises conditional or unconditional?
  5. What prayers can I make my own?
  6. What do I learn about God?

While this method of Bible study may not result in a complete understanding of any particular passage, it will insure that we gain something each time we read the Bible. Also, if we will apply what we learn we will grow in our faith and be pleasing to our Father. So, try reading with a purpose the next time you sit down to read the Scriptures; read to find out what God is telling you.

Wanna Drink?

Imagine that you are playing with some friends in your neighborhood, and someone your age comes up with a bottle of beer.  He says, “I took it from my dad.  He won’t know it is missing.  Let’s go drink this beer.”

  • What would you say?
  • What would you do?
  • What if you said no and they started calling you names?

Talk with your parents about your answer. Parents, why not do a role play to teach them how to react?

True Friend?

Billy was well liked by many of the boys and girls in his class. When his birthday came around, his mother said that he could have a party and invite his friends.

Of course, he invited many of his friends from school and church. However, there was one friend that he didn’t know if he should invite. Joe, a good friend of his from church, was a little different from some of the other kids. Billy always liked Joe and he did not like the way some of his friends made fun of Joe and called him names.

Though Billy wanted Joe to come to his party, he knew his friends would make fun of him. If Billy stood up for Joe, they might  make fun of him too. What do you think he should do?

What Do You Think He Should Do?

Taking Responsibility

“Oh, no! I forgot to do my math homework last night,” cried Jerry to himself. as the teacher collected the homework. He started to get nervous as she approached his desk..

“Maybe I can tell her that my parents were sick or that something terrible happened at our house so that I could not do my homework,” he thought, though he knew it was not true. He knew that some told lies to explain why they did not have their homework and the teacher let them turn the work in late. But he also knew that it was wrong to lie. His parents said that it is best to accept responsibility for your actions. What should he do and why?

Should You Watch?

You are invited to a sleep-over with some friends. After the friend’s parents go to sleep, one of the friends takes out a popular movie on video to watch.

The movie has lots of men and women dressed in immodest clothes and are sometimes shown without clothes. The movie characters use bad language and are doing things you know your parents and God do not approve of. Your friends are enjoying the movie but you know it is a bad movie.

What should you do?