Shallow Minded Christians

[ray]

Well, I have grown up in the church setting all my life. I go to church twice on Sunday and once for mid week Bible study. However, that is just my upbringing. Non the less, I have heard the basic parpbles and frequent stories all of my life. Although there is nothing wrong with them. To me those are steping stone and the milk of the whole picture of the Bible. When do I get to the meat of the story or to a story causes to continue to grow in statute and wisdom? I know the Bible has more to offer than same stories week after week. PErhaps I'm just bored with I'm not sure. I feel shallow minded because i don't ever get beyond the same stores I have heard for the past 35 years.

Than those that have just dicovered those stories it like a new revelation. When I here teachers retelling these stories its fine but I have already heard it I need to move on. Does make me shallow because I already been there done that with those stories before? OR is the teacher shallow minded for not being able to expand my mind on these old wonderful stories? Sometimes the teacher does not like me to speak because I have different opion or deeper thought which is good but is not where the instructor is at? How do I bring myself down to a very simplistic understanding when I know theres more and the instructor does not see it?

Well now I'm rabbling so I hope this makes some kind of sense.

ray :sweating:

[Guest Calamity]

It seems like to me, that you should be being "fed" at your church - that is, growing and maturing. Is this at a Sunday School, or Bible Study, or is it during sermons? The pastor has a responsibility, as far as I understand, of "feeding the sheep", not starving them. Then, again, he could be teaching/preaching to the immature Christians, hoping to help them along. But this shouldn't come at the expense of more mature ones who need a well-rounded diet. At least, IMO.

[senerhu]

I understand what you are saying and I sympathize with it. My thought to you is maybe it would be best for you to teach a Bible study course rather than take it. I wonder if maybe you'll discover something to the stories in the preparation it takes to put a class togerher...just my thoughts to you...

[BoldlyProclaimingChrist]

Ray,

I've seen this trend in churches of today and I don't think it's you. Be glad that you realized this because most Christians are happy with the same stories that they can probably quote by heart. I would encourage a Bible study with friends or by yourself maybe. I was watching some program today and he told the story of the workers who all got paid the same wages even though they worked different hours in length. I know what you mean - the same stories over and over and never revealing anything new.

Given the type of world we live in today and the gradual weakening of churches (not to mention apostasy), I can't help but think this is intentional.

[Guest yod]

Senerhu gave you some great advice.

But this is why I'm messianic. It does seem to me that the New Testament was simple to learn and now it's always review. There are exceptions of course but I know EXACTLY what he's talking about.

But the Torah? It keeps going and going and going. That book is so deep I'll never find the bottom. Though I've been through the entire Torah with the congregation about 14 years in a row now it always has something I've never heard before. Something I didn't see the last time I looked....

And the haftorah prophets...? Don't get me started! I love reading those and imagining what it must have been like. What it will be like....

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Ray,

It seems rare today to hear something "fresh" and REAL. But I love some of the preachers on radio, such as Chuck Swindoll, Woodrow Kroll, R. C. Sproul and Dr. D. James Kennedy. I never fail to learn something from these men, even though on a few points (such as eschatology) I might disagree vehemenently.

I also think if you were to find a "good" Messianic church, you will be abundantly blessed with insights into the NT from the observation point of the OT. There is a good learning experience there for anyone. The "true" Messianic Jew has a rich background from which we gentiles would be very blessed to understand. But with that said, as with any denomination of Christianity, you have to be very careful whom you choose to associate yourself, because there are also some real whacky Messianic type churches out there as well.

This boards Messianics may help you to find a good starting place.

In the meantime, set your heart on getting specific directions from the Lord. Fast and Pray until you receive an answer DIRECTLY FROM HIM. You will know it by the peace that comes with "knowing His will."

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[BoldlyProclaimingChrist]

Amen DadErnie,

I agree about the messianic church thing. I have been blessed to have a father who is a Messianic pastor and my understanding of the Word is so much more richer. There are so many parallels between the Jewish festivals and prophecy, it's amazing!!!

[Manofwork]

Our pastors preach new stuff every week it keeps challenging you and helping you to grow they are trully God sent.Non condeming just challenging.Mabey you could ask God to help you get something new out of it or for them to speek on something new.Just my thoughts.

[gypc]

It seems to me God is showing you something. It's like you've been hanging out mostly in shallow water. It's time jump in the deep end.

The NT and OT is awesome. I get revelation of his word all the time. I'm hungry for it. Sounds like your getting hungry.

Try 3 different types of study.

Subject study:

Book Study:

Sermon study:

Before you begin ask God for wisdon, knowledge and understanding, He WILL GIVE IT TO YOU!!!

Subject study is taking a subject such as "Faith" . Find every scripture in the Bible that talks about faith. Write'em down. Then go to "healing" or "grace" or "sin" and so on. If you have a concordance in the back of your Bible, look up these words. Write down everything you find on them. Search parallel scriptures if you have a "Study Bible". I believe this kind of study produces much meat.

Book study. Take a book from the Bible and read a chapter a day, EVERY DAY. Read it twice, 3 times or as many as it takes to get it deep in your spirit. Until finally you have the whole book read.

Sermon study is simply the study of what your pastor has preached to you. If you are at the church where God wants you then the sermons that are being preached are the Word in season FOR YOU.

In his love,

Brian

[tsth]

Don't get caught up in simply relying on your pastor to feed you. Get hold of a Strongs Concordance, Nave's Topical, and your Bible.

Then at home spend time in prayer to the Lord, and let Him be your guide. Ask Him to lead you in Scriptures and search Him out. Then get started just as mentioned above.

In His Love,

Suzanne