– Secret Place Insights –
Dear One, sometime last week, in the middle of the night, I woke up suddenly, with only three words on my mind, teach your children. I made note of it, and immediately went back to sleep. Since our children are married and all have families of their own, I took it to be God’s choice for the next essay. I was surprised for I have written of the importance of reading the Bible as a family, but here goes.
I have mentioned before that neither Ron or I, nor our children, grew up reading the Bible together with our families. This is one of my great regrets. I am grateful that as a family we did gather around the table for dinner. It would have been the ideal time to share God’s Word. Yes, we did say grace, attended church and Sunday School, but oh how much more we could have learned together 365 evenings a year. I think if I were a pastor, I would close each service with, “Be sure to read the Bible as a family.”
In America today doing so is now more important than ever before. A time was, not so long ago, that merely by living in this country its citizens learned a little something about God and His Word. For prayer was a part of the educational system, the athletic programs, business meetings, clubs, and on and on. The practice of prayer, the quoting of Scripture and conversations about God were not questioned. They were considered appropriate. For the most part, this is no longer true.
So now, the need is greater than ever to teach your children from home, with the support of a Bible believing church. And yes, such churches can still be found, but we, you and I, must know God’s Word in order to determine if it is still biblical or not. Many of us are going the way of the world. The way of the world will never be God’s way, for He never changes (“…but You are the same, and Your years have no end.” Psalm 102:27b). God is not progressive. He was perfect from the beginning.
So in contemplating this essay, I am wondering what additional idea do I have to suggest? And while I am thinking about it, I look down, and there it is, right in front of me! It is a new type of Bible, a Pray the Scriptures Bible by Editor Kevin Johnson. It seems to me to be a significant spiritual-growth tool.
After having used it for the first time for leading corporate prayer, I suggested to my husband that we read a chapter a day, and then pray the prayers which correspond with the Scripture. Wouldn’t it be helpful to pray one’s way through the Bible? Just think of the deeper understanding we would acquire.
The following is a description from the book:
“The Pray the Scripture Bible opens a powerful avenue of conversation with God as He speak to us through His Word. You will learn to pray with more confidence, to apply Scripture to your life, and to pray words you know God hears — and answers.”
This is just one random example:
From the reading of verses in Acts 21:15-19, the editor writes in the margin what the reader might consider praying about, such as:
“(May) Your work gives me constant reasons to glorify you.
Make me aware of your works in my world. Let me behold
them with my own eyes.”
Next from the reading of Acts 21:20-29:
“Tell me when your old ways apply—or do not. Show me
when they are helpful…or not. (Make) My goal is to glorify
you by helping people walk after you.”
Isn’t this a terrific way to learn and pray…reading a short passage and then praying God’s very words and desires back to Him? I am all in on this. Certainly free flowing prayers should always be a part of our relationship with God, but this in addition would surely add to our spiritual walks. I hope that you and your family will take the opportunity to read the Pray the Scripture Bible.
“You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when
You sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie
down, and when you rise up…” Deuteronomy 11:19
Blessings,
Susanne
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