Why Christian
Education?
Part 1
Sermon Notes
February 3, 2008
Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor
(480) 895-8766
II Timothy 3:14-17 NRSV
14But as
for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from
whom you learned it, 15and how from childhood you have known the
sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so
that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good
work.
A. Introduction
1. Uneducated man learns
to read from the Bible
a. A
minister taught an uneducated man named John to read. The Bible, of course, was the textbook. John proved to be an eager learner. After the teaching had come to an end, the
pastor was not able to call at the small home in the backcountry for several
months.
b. When
the pastor finally got out to the house he found only the wife at home. The parson asked, “How’s John?” “Fine,” said the wife. The minister then asked, “How is he getting
along with his reading?” She replied,
“Nicely sir, nicely.” The pastor then
inquired, “I suppose he can read his bible easily now?” The wife smiled and said, “Bible sir? Bless you.
He’s been out of the Bible and into “girly magazines” long ago!”
2. Today’s Message
a.
This morning I am going to talk to you about the importance of
staying in or getting back into the Bible.
I am, also, going to stress the importance of getting into other
Christian Education activities. Bible
centered educational endeavors such as Sunday School
and weekday Bible Studies are vital. And
today’s focus is mostly on Christian Education groups that study the Bible. However, this week and on Sunday, February 17th
when I conclude this two part Sermon Series, I want to stress the importance of
all the activities we do that fall under the “umbrella” of Christian
Education. In our Church this includes
not only Sunday School and other Bible Studies, but,
also Health Ministry Groups, Stephen Ministry Classes, Krafters, many of the
United Methodist Women’s activities, and the devotional time during Choir practice.
b. My
sincere prayer is that you will become convinced of your need for Christian
Education. And I hope that you will see
the need for our new Multi-Purpose Education building.
B. We need Christian Education because it gives
us a systematic study of the Bible.
1. Today’s Scripture: II Timothy 3:14
a.
Today’s Scripture lesson encourages us to “continue
in what you have learned and firmly believed.” (from II Timothy 3:14 NRSV)
b. We need the systematic study of the Bible
that Christian Education gives us.
2.
a. A
United Methodist minister was appointed to a Church in the
b.
Too many of us are like that when it comes to Bible study. We know we ought to be reading and studying
the Holy Scriptures each day, but somehow we fail in that endeavor. Most of us need to be involved in some Church
School Class or weekday group to motivate us to consistently study the Bible
each day. And most of us on our own fail
to do a systematic study of the Holy Word.
Those involved in
C. We need Christian Education because it
provides learning during the most vital time of life!
1. Today’s Scripture: II Timothy 3:16-17
a. Our Bible lesson for today says: “All
scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who
belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV)
b. Today’s text clearly says this: The Bible is for everyone. It is not a book just for children or
teens. The teaching it gives is, also,
needed and vital for adults of all ages.
2. Devil’s watch
a.
There is an old folktale about a man who sold his soul to the
Devil for a magical watch. When a
certain button was pushed on the watch, time would stop forever at that
moment! A number of times the man almost
pushed the button. These included: When as a young man he won a sporting event
for his college team, on his honeymoon, and after the birth of his first
child. But he never did push the button. He could never decide when the best time or
most vital time of his life was. He
always thought, “Maybe something better will come.” Sadly things turned bad in his later years
and he dies a drunken old bum lying in a gutter clutching his watch.
b.
There are a number of sobering lessons here. The one that speaks to us today is this: All ages and stages of life are vital. And we need to be studying the Bible at all
ages. All of us recognize the need for
children to be taught the Bible. It is
vital for children to have a Scriptural base laid in their lives. It is, also, important for teenagers to get
Biblical guidance, as they wrestle with questions like, “Who am I?” and “What
do I do with my life?” Teens, also, need
Bible values, because they last and are true, unlike the false and destructive
teachings of the world. Adults need
D. We need Christian Education because it meets
a need not met by any other group!
1. Today’s Scripture: II Timothy 3:16
a. Today’s Bible lesson says that “scripture is inspired by God.” (from II Timothy 3:16 NRSV)
b. There is no wonder as to why the Bible
and groups based in Biblical principles can meet needs that others cannot. Christian Education is based in God and under
God’s guidance.
2. Thoren
Weldy
a.
Back in the 1970’s when I was a Youth Pastor, each year the
Church I served sponsored our Conference Sex Education Program for teens. One of the team leaders was a pastor named Thoren Weldy. Some years back Thoren
was a counselor for the Court of Reconciliation of
b.
People, who study God’s Holy Word, and are involved with
Christian support groups find help that you cannot find anywhere else in our
world. Only in the Church can you find
lasting values.
E. Conclusion
1. Recap
a. We need Christian Education because it
gives us a systematic study of the Bible.
b. We need Christian Education because it provides learning during the most
vital time of life!
c.
We need Christian Education because it meets a need not met by
any other group!
2. Part Two: On Sunday, February 17th we will add to our list these three things:
a.
We need Christian Education because it gives us a close-knit
fellowship.
b.
We need Christian Education because it provides candidates for
Church membership.
c.
We need Christian Education because it is an effective tool of
evangelism!
(4)
II Timothy
3:14-17 NRSV
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and
firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15and how from childhood
you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, 17so that everyone who belongs to God may be
proficient, equipped for every good work.
Why Christian Education?
1. We need Christian Education because it gives
us
a systematic study of
the Bible.
2. We need Christian Education because it
provides
learning during the
most vital time of life!
3. We need Christian Education because it meets
a need not met by any
other group!
4. We need Christian Education because it gives
us
a close-knit
fellowship.
5. We need Christian Education because it
provides
candidates for Church
membership.
6. We need Christian Education because it is
an effective tool of
evangelism!