Kill The Rooster
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y people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your
children” (Hosea 4:6).
One
time in a Bible game, the question was asked, “What did Peter do when he
heard the rooster crow?” The little girl who received this question did not know the
answer, but decided to make a quick guess. In a last minute effort to answer
what Peter did when he heard the rooster crow, she said, “He killed the
rooster.”
Today, in the church of
our Lord, there are some of our young people who know many Bible facts, but
unfortunately this is not true with the majority. During the past years, this
author has been involved in leading all ages in playing Bible games. Some of
these games have been played by using general Bible facts without any previous
preparation, and others where they had been given questions and answers to
study. What has been the finding from all of these games?
(1) The older students have
a deeper knowledge of Bible facts compared to the youth of today.
(2) When questions and
answers have been provided before the games, the young people have known more
answers than the older.
Therefore,
it all comes down to the importance of all ages studying the Bible. Paul’s instruction to
Timothy is relevant today: “Study to show yourself approved to God, a
workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2
Timothy 2:15). Thus, the cost to learn the Bible (for all ages) is to study!
This
fact was proven in one of our Family Bible Festivals. About three weeks before
the event, a list of sixty-seven (67) questions with the answers was provided
for all the families in the church. Each person was told that these questions
would be used in the Bible games during Family Bible Festival. When the games
were finally played, it was obvious to see who had studied and who had not!
Those who had NOT studied (young and old) answered only a few of the questions.
However, the ones who STUDIED could answer almost all of them.
This
leads us to the question, “How can we as Bible Teachers, increase the knowledge
of our students?” Please consider the following suggestions:
(1) Become convinced (as
teachers) that this generation, as a whole, needs more Bible knowledge.
(2) Regardless of the
curriculum being used, devote some time (during the quarter) to teaching Bible
facts. Use games, rewards, competition, and other planned activities to
challenge them to learn.
(3) Encourage those in
leadership positions to plan a monthly “Bible Game Night” with a list of
questions and answers to be used each month. Motivate all ages to study these
questions. Remember, adults also enjoy these games.
(4) Participate (when
possible) in Bible Bowl competition in your area.
(5) Assign one class time
daily in VBS or Family Bible Festival to play Bible games as suggested earlier
in this article.
There
are those who try to justify their failure to teach or learn Bible facts by
saying, “Learning how to live is more important than learning the facts of the
Bible.” This is true, however, we need to realize that both of these are
important!
For
example, we need to know the name of Dorcas, as well as the good works she did with
her sewing (Acts 9:36,39). We need to know the name of Cornelius and where he lived, as
well as his obedience to the gospel (Acts 10 & 11). We need to know the
name of Lydia who was a seller of
purple, as well as how her heart was opened to obey God’s will (Acts 16:14). Why? Because the more
we learn about God and His Book, the more we will know how to live for Him.
Therefore,
faithful teachers, let us encourage our students to learn both the Bible facts,
and how to live the Bible truths. Always remember that ignorance enslaves, but truth, known and obeyed, sets us free (John
8:32). —BBBristow