Month: January 2018

I am trying to invent a different kind of Bible game.  I am frustrated by Bible games that focus on memorizing facts instead of dealing with life.  The following is an idea for a game I’m considering naming “DON’T QUOTE the verse.”  Instead of rote memorization, I like to put Bible principles into my own words and apply them to real life situations.  I would appreciate your help in developing this idea.

 

Real Life Example #1

Someone has hurt you by accusing you of harassment.   They see you and your truth telling as a threat to their selfish ambition.  They fabricate a lie about you to get you out of the organization and out of their way.  What do you need to feel in order to forgive them?  What do you need to do to forgive them even if you don’t feel it?

(Think about the pain, insecurity and fear they are daily living in that would cause them to justify to themselves to hurt you to get their needs met).

What in the Bible helps with this question?  How do you apply what is in the Bible to this?  Remember, use your own words, DON’T QUOTE the verse.

Real Life Example #2

Women in the New Testament were elevated by Jesus back to their rightful place at creation as equal to men (“In the Image of God he created THEM”).  Women are seen doing ministry in the New Testament (funding Jesus’ ministry, being the first to carry the news of His resurrection).  How should we interpret the clear restrictions Paul gives women in the church?  If we judge Paul’s instruction as not applicable to us what stops us from saying that other clear instructions don’t apply to us?  Who decides what applies and what doesn’t apply?  And what if those who decide change their mind, do we change our mind too?

Real Life Example #3

Women’s brains are structurally and functionally different from men’s brains.  (For example, women generally (not all) see life as a continuous flow.  Men generally (not all) see life as compartmentalized.  Generally (not all) women are better at dealing with multiple things at once and generally (not all) men are better at concentrating on a single problem more deeply.  Men need respect primarily, women need love primarily).  Does the differences with which God created us dictate a difference in the value and worth of men over women, or women over men?  Do the differences explain a difference in the strengths of men and women?  Are we to compete with each other with our strengths or are these strengths complementary, designed for teamwork?  Do the differences suggest aptitude for different roles or are all roles equally filled by either men or women?

Real Life Example #4

An unmarried man and woman are living together.  They start to attend your church.  They hear of the need and offer to open up their home for a small group Bible Study.  How should your church respond?

Real Life Example #5

For thousands of years accepted science stated that the universe existed in a steady state.  For thousands of years the Bible said the universe had a beginning and will have an end.  Throughout history the Bible has always been proved right when accepted science has caught up to it.  What do you know about the Creation account that conflicts with the Theory of Evolution?  Since by definition they can’t both be right, which do you side with and why?

Real Life Example #6

Psalm 15:1-5 KJV

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.  He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.   He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15 above talks about things, that if you do them, “you will not be moved.”  What does that mean?

One of those things to do is “speak truth in my heart.”  Consistently keeping my thoughts truthful is difficult for me.  My mind is constantly being bombarded with thoughts of slight compromise to the truth I am going after.  What is going on in my mind when I believe my own lies?

Have you ever sweareth to your own hurt?   That is, have you ever kept your promise even though things changed after you made your promise and it cost you much more than you expected?

One thing not to do is to “put out your money for usury.”  What is God’s motive for saying this?  Does God not want the practice of requiring interest for the use of money?  Why or why not?

Real Life Example #6

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy states, “There is no absolute truth.”  Is that statement self-contradictory?  Why or Why not?  Why is the answer “sometimes” an inadequate answer?

Jesus made an absolute truth claim that “He is Truth and no one comes to the Father but by Him.”  Why is that claim not exclusive even though Jesus excludes all other deities and religions?

 

He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
Psalm 7:15 KJV

 

When my “righteous” anger devises a way do “justice” to someone that will negatively affect them: Beware! I am not righteous, it is not justice and the negative I plan for them will fall on me. I will be ashamed when my true motives are exposed.

I am to bless my “enemies”, I am to do good to all; including those I feel don’t deserve it. This is what God wants and He will bless me for obeying Him, for loving others.

When someone lies to me with great consistency and reliability…  When they silently defy me on a regular basis…  Lord, let my response be YOUR LOVE flowing through me to them. My friends will approve of that.  My confidant will be glad.  And my “enemy” will respond.

The above was written in my Bible four years ago.  Sadly, I have made little progress.  Our Pastor confessed bitterness.  I need to too.  Lord, I have tried to change my self.  I cannot.  Would you please forgive me of bitterness, and delivery me from it.  Amen.