Studying the Bible: Caution!

Opening Discussion (5 mins)

                 Stunt Man video

What are some problems we face when we go to read the Bible?

When we read the Bible, we need to read it for all it’s worth. Some people think that reading a verse or two is enough. It may be better than nothing, but it’s not the best way to study. Let’s test that theory.

Open your Bibles to Matthew 18:20. Whoever gets there first, wins a pair of our special Bible Explorer glasses!.

                What does that verse mean?

                How do you know it means that?

Most people quote that text as meaning that if Christians are together, then God is there with them. While that’s true, that’s not what the verse is talking about.

Instead, this text is talking about confronting people who sin. The essence of what Jesus is saying is, if a few of you gather to confront someone, and you are doing it in the way He's told you. You are doing it with His authority too. He says essentially: I’m there with you.

So…you see, taking one verse and picking it out of the ones around it can distort the meaning of the text. This is called taking a verse out of context. Another way of putting that is by saying we need to be able to understand where the author is coming from to get the full meaning of each verse. 

Let's do a visual example. I want one artist at each table to draw HALF a leaf. Now let's have all the artists come up front and see if anyone else's leaf will match up to yours? What are some of the problems we have? What are some of the different portrayals of leaves up here?

Break out (30 mins)

Tables with adults only can go through “How to Avoid Falling for Lies” sheet.

Tables with kids will work on two steps.

First the children at the table will each receive a Half a Monster sheet. They are to finish the drawing of the monster while the adults talk.

While the children draw, the adults will do the top section on the above "How to Avoid Falling for Lies" sheet.  Once they are done with that, they should invite the children to join them. First the children can share their monsters and talk about why they drew what they did. Discuss how they each drew something different because they all have different things/colors they like and want in a monster. Some are scary! while others are friendly.

Select an adult to lead the children through looking at Phil 4:13 by itself – I can do all thing through Him who strengthens me. Discuss what they think this means? How can they use it in their lives?  Then ask the children to open up their Bibles and read the section this verse was taken from. Ask: Who is speaking?  What is he speaking about? What does the verse really mean?

 If there is time, parents can lead their children thru the Exodus 14:10-18 exercise  on "How to Avoid Falling for Lies" on a level their children understand, or they can do this at home also.

Take Home: -  Summer Scripture Color By Number