Knowable Word

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What Little League and the Olympics Can Teach About Bible Study

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This week, I’m taking off from writing to take my family on our annual trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. In honor of the season, I have two brief posts to recommend:

Check it out!

How to Become Wise

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A few months ago, I wrote about what the Olympics taught me about Bible study.  The Olympics deliver drama spectacularly, but they fail at imparting instruction.

Who, by watching Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt run, would get any practical help with his own stride?  Perhaps exposure to the Asian badminton teams could influence aspiring champions not to cheat.  But how many gymnasts will improve their own dismounts from Team USA’s example?  Or who, upon seeing footage of Michael Phelps’ races and interviews, would gain concrete ideas for faster flip-turns?  Perhaps a few prodigies will learn well by merely watching and imitating the world’s greatest athletes, but most of us need more personal coaching, step-by-step instruction, and encouragement in the basics.

“Becoming a Wise Owl Takes a Lot of Concentration” by Ken Bosma (2008), shared under Creative Commons Attribution License

That’s why, in Proverbs 2, Solomon gets down on our level and shows us practical steps we can take to become wise.  He’s already given the big picture in chapter 1; now he gives details on the process.  Here we’ll find, not just what we need to know, but what we need to do.

Proverbs 2 has a tight logic:

If you listen – 1-4

Then you’ll get started on the path of wisdom – 5

     Why?  Because God wants to make you wise – 6-8

Then you’ll continue to grow in wisdom – 9

     Why?  Because wisdom will change you – 10

Result: you’ll make different choices that protect you – 11

     From violent men – 12-15

     From adulterous women – 16-19

     For endurance on the right path – 20-22

Over the next few Proverbs posts, I’ll boil the argument down into three chief sections: If you listen (Prov 2:1-4), then you’ll become wise (Prov 2:5-10), resulting in different choices (Prov 2:11-22).

What the Olympics Taught Me about Bible Study

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This week marked a significant milestone for me: the first time since 1994 that I’ve gotten to follow the Olympic games with any regularity.

I love the drama.  Ryan Lochte wins gold in the Men’s 400 meter individual medley, but Michael Phelps fails to medal in the event.  Phelps goes on, however, to win more medals and become the most decorated Olympian in history.  The USA women’s gymnastics team wins gold, but reigning world champion Jordyn Wieber fails to advance to the all-around competition.  Four badminton teams are thrown out of the games for throwing their games.  A Korean archer with poor eyesight helps his team win bronze.  22-year-old Kayla Harrison overcomes a history of sexual abuse by a previous coach and wins the first ever US gold medal in judo.

The drama is inspiring, but also challenging.  Why isn’t our study of God’s Knowable Word equally inspiring?

Why is it that we’d often rather do anything other than read God’s Word?  When we do read it, why does it feel like such a chore?  When we get together in groups to discuss the unbreakable Scripture, why can’t we think of anything to talk about?  Why can church seem routine and lifeless?  Where is the drama that inspired a generation to turn the world upside-down (Acts 17:6)?

God has revealed his Son to us through the Bible written by his Spirit.  In the Bible He lets us in on what he’s thinking.  He tells us what to expect about the future.  He fills in the back story to our existence.  He advises us about how life works best.  His Word is the most influential book in history.  How can we recapture the drama?

Here are some ideas:

  1. Read a lot of Scripture.  Keep the big picture in mind.  Consider taking an afternoon to read a whole book of the Bible in one sitting.   Just read lots of it and keep going.  As you understand the scope of the whole, each detail takes on new life.
  2. Read it lots of times.  Over the past two weeks, I’ve read the same two chapters over and over again.  I read them and didn’t understand them at first.  So instead of moving on, I decided to try it again and again.  I’ve now read them dozens of times in a row, and they’re starting to make sense.  What was once confusing has become exciting and impactful!
  3. Talk to others.  God puts us in community on purpose.  Others will have insights you don’t have.  So plug into your church, find a Bible study group, talk about the sermons.  Ask people what they’re learning from the Word, and share what you’re learning.  The drama of God’s glorious plan through Christ will infect you with joy.
  4. Put yourself into the story.  Picture what the characters went through.  How would you respond in similar circumstances?  What would you feel, desire, fear, or hope?  Remember that Bible characters were real people, experiencing life much as we do.
  5. Focus on Jesus.  You don’t have to be innovative.  You don’t have to make the Bible exciting.  All you have to do is get out of the way and let Jesus show his glory.

The Olympics are exciting, and I can’t wait to see what will happen over the next week.  But the glory of men will wither; does anyone even remember the medalists from 1994 anymore?  God’s Knowable Word will remain forever (1 Peter 1:24-25).