Are You Ready to Live As A Christian?

One of the dangers of our modern practice of Christianity in America is to be superficial with our Christianity, specifically our discussion of issues within Christianity. We tend to treat current issues or modern problems as abstract items with little or no relevance to how we actually live. Those of us in seminary are particularly prone to this error, to discuss events and ideas in an abstract way instead of looking at them and thinking through them as events or ideas that affect real people. Ultimately our discussions and learning of any subject within a Christian way of thinking is so that we may go out to those who are without Christ and show how God sees them and what God wants us to tell them about Him and themselves.

One example of the right way to think about issues in a concrete and real way is Dr. Russell Moore’s Christian Ethics final exam question. It deals with a woman who begins coming to your church and is ready to follow Christ, however she used to be a man. To read the full question (which you should do first) go to Dr. Moore’s website. You can read the question at: http://www.russellmoore.com/2009/05/04/christian-ethics-this-years-dilemma/

Today Dr. Moore posted the first of his five part answer to this challenging question. You need to read the answers as much as you need to read the question for a challenge to your beliefs in God, the Bible and living life as a follower of Christ. You can read the first part at: http://www.russellmoore.com/2009/05/25/joan-or-john-my-answer-part-one/

Just in case you think this is a far fetched and ridiculous idea, read the comments posted at Dr. Moore’s website under the question itself. You may be surprised to learn this might just happen at your church.

Training Your Child in God's Truths

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 tells us to train our children in the truths and commands of God. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (ESV)

Outside of reading the scriptures or using a children’s Bible, how do you teach your children about God? One way is to use children’s resources for teaching them sound theology. Yes it is important to teach our children the truths and doctrines of the faith. One new resource I highly recommend is Dr. Bruce Ware’s new book, Big Truths for Young Hearts by Crossway Books $15.99. It can be purchased here.

Big Truths for Young Hearts is a systematic theology book for children. Dr. Ware spent many years developing this resource. As one of the great theologians of our time and a professor of theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary the depth and breadth of Bruce Ware’s rich biblical insight and understanding of God are immense, I can attest to that. However, Bruce ware is also a father and now a grandfather. He taught his daughters the truths of God and his word when they were very young. He has made the benefits of that work available to us as parents through Big Truths for Young Hearts.

It is designed for parents to read to their children. Each chapter is written in a style and form that allows for reading it less than 10 minutes. Each chapter has suggested questions to help the parent ensure that the important ideas of the reading have been understood by the listener. You will be surprised how much you learn reading this to your children.

If you wish to fulfill the command of Deut 6, and would like some help accomplishing it, then buy a copy of Big Truths for Young Hearts and begin reading it to your children.