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| http://bible.com/116/gen.3.6.nlt |
According
to philosopher Francis Bacon, “Knowledge is power!” Really? Seeking knowledge,
knowing everything God knows, didn’t work out so well for Adam and Eve. Genesis
3 recounts the story of how Satan tempted them by convincing them they’d be as
smart as God if they’d eat the forbidden fruit. Moments later, their lives are
filled with blame, shame, guilt, and consequences. I’m not saying knowledge is
bad, I’m just saying, I’m more of a faith-based Christian. I don’t have to know
everything about anything.
I have
never considered myself an intellect. Oh, I’m smart; I even graduated Summa Cum
Laude at Trevecca Nazarene University. But, I am also keenly self-aware. I know
how I learn; I’m a visual/kinesthetic learner. I learn by seeing and doing, and
my preference is applicable knowledge. I like to learn things that I can apply
immediately.
I have
never enjoyed learning for the sake of learning or knowledge for the sake of
knowledge. I’m just not geared that way. I’m a big-picture girl; I don’t get
bogged down in details. I do not have to know how to build a clock in order to
tell you the time. In fact, I rarely know my schedule for the next day until I
review my calendar at bedtime the night before.
Through
high school, I studied just enough to make the grades necessary to stay on the
cheerleading squad. How’s that for setting high goals for myself? I could
memorize for tests with the best of them. Cram, test, dump, repeat. That pretty
much sums up my learning style K-12 (I actually didn’t go to kindergarten, so
1-12. Perhaps that’s why I love the book “Everything I Need to Know I Learned
in Kindergarten.”).
I went to
college late in life, after marriage and children. When I started college, I
was working as a Technology Trainer. I started school by taking computer
software classes. I literally could take whatever I learned in the classroom
one night and apply it on the job the next day. This worked for me! Most of my
college career was like that…learn, practice, apply. I thrived in this
environment as an adult student.
What does
all of this have to do with faith, Christianity, or church? My church family
and the eldership I submit to are primarily knowledge-based. Our elders are
brilliant men, working in roles as engineers, bankers, doctors, or in highly
technical roles in the secular world. They are full of knowledge in their careers
and, most importantly, they are theologians. Our ministers are intellectual,
with master’s degrees, PhDs and the like. A couple of them serve in the
capacity of teacher, college professor, or school administrator in their life
outside of the church.
As you
can imagine, our church offers innumerable opportunities for learning. We have
Sunday morning and Wednesday night Bible classes for all ages. We have mid-day
Bible classes for seniors on Wednesdays, Sunday afternoon in-depth theology
classes, Discovery Bible Study, Children’s Bible Hour, and our elders just
announced a college-level curriculum: “Institute of Biblical Studies and
Education,” available to our church and our community this fall; and of course
you can get your traditional weekly sermon twice on Sundays. If you want
biblical knowledge, my church is the place to be!
That’s
all great! Really, it is great! And I’m grateful to be led by elders and
ministers who focus on theology and thrive on knowing God’s word. But, what if
all of this learning just isn’t your thing? Do you pack up your Bible and find
a new church? Maybe you do, but maybe, just maybe, you don’t.
It can be
difficult to thrive in a church whose primary focus isn’t your cup of tea. It’s
tough when you feel like everyone around you is over the top excited about the
new curriculum offering, and you sit back with your crumpled pom-pom, and in a
sad sarcastic tone say, “yay knowledge!”
I don’t
know what is best for you, and maybe finding a new church that fits your style is
the answer. You’ll get no judgment from me. However, I want to share with you
my Top 5 List of “How to Survive as a Faith-based Christian in a Knowledge-based
Church.”
1. Trust God. - Pray.
Ask God to show you your place. Ask Him for guidance. Then trust that He will
show you. It may be a simple nudge from a friend to join you in a small group
Bible study or to serve in a new ministry.
2. Try a new class or service project. - Recently
my husband and I, along with some other members of our church family, revived our
Discovery Bible Study class. This study style fits my learning style. We use a
three-column study approach. First we write the selected scripture verbatim. In
the second column, we re-write the selected scripture in our own words, as if
we were sharing it with a friend at a coffee shop. Finally, in the third
column, we include an “I will” statement; meaning, how we will apply the
scripture we’ve studied this week. Or perhaps, your church has a service-oriented
ministry, or maybe you would find great joy in sending cards of encouragement.
3. Teach a class. - One
of the ways I thrive in our church is by volunteering to teach a class. I
promise you, I’m not a knowledge-based teacher, but rather a “connect the
dots,” “big picture,” “how can I apply this” kind of teacher. My husband and I
teach the 5th/6th grade in the Summer Quarter and I
occasionally teach a ladies or girls class. I can format the class to my style
of learning. I can use examples, visuals, use humor, incorporate hands-on
activities, and use visual aides.
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| http://bible.com/116/rom.12.4-6.nlt |
5. Start your own Bible study and/or
accountability group. - I
am all about community! You could simply start by inviting a friend over for
coffee. Maybe there is someone at church you’ve wanted to get to know a little
better. If you’re married, maybe you and your spouse could invite another
couple over for dinner. Get to know each other, get involved in each other’s
lives, study God’s word together, and hold each other accountable for living it
out. Build your own faith community.
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| http://bible.com/116/col.3.23-24.nlt |
Keep in
mind Romans 12:4-6a, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each
part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of
one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us
different gifts for doing certain things well.”
God made
us all different, with different gifts, talents, personalities, styles of
learning, etc. You are unique! And someone in your church needs you and what
you have to offer. Sometimes it just takes a little more time and effort on our
part to find our place. The great news is…if you are more of a faith-based
Christian, like myself, you can rest assured that God will guide you to find
your place, if you simply trust in Him. And remember, as my mother often says to me, "whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23
I challenge you with this question: Just how much do you need to know before you start doing what you have learned?
I challenge you with this question: Just how much do you need to know before you start doing what you have learned?
