Big
Idea
The Bible can become
something that is wonderful and precious and “delicious” to us, not just
something we need or have to have to live.
Introduction
Back in Jesus’ day, the main thing kids
learned in school was the Torah. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible
(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). They would learn to write by copying words
from the Torah onto slates, kind of like chalkboards. Sometimes they would return to school in the
morning to find their slates covered in honey which was a delicacy to them,
like candy. The act of covering the
slates in honey was a way to teach the children what a wonderful and precious
thing God’s Word is.
This week we will focus on the Bible as a
dessert to us. Think about dessert. It’s the thing we often crave more than anything
else. It’s the part of the meal that we
often don’t have time for or don’t have room for, or is too expensive to
buy. So when we do indulge, it is
special. Dessert is the part that we eat
the slowest and enjoy the most. It might be the most relational part of a meal
because we slow down and enjoy with friends and family. The whole point of dessert is to ENJOY it!!!
Opening
Question
What’s your
favorite dessert? How often do you eat
it? When is the last time you had it?
Many people use reading as an escape. Some get lost in novels, others read to get
better at some part of their life, and still others read to laugh. Reading is an important part of our lives. Just like the saying “its not a question of
being busy, it’s a question of what we are busy about,” we can’t forget about
what’s most important.
- What
literature tastes like dessert to you?
- fictional
books
- poetry
- sports
illustrated
- the
comic section of the newspaper
- business
leadership books
- Other___________________
- fictional
books
- What
is soothing to your soul?
- jazz
music
- a
quiet night under the stars
- a
sit in the hot-tub
- a
drive on your Harley through the country
- Other__________
- jazz
music
You're
blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing
your best to find him.
That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight
along the road he set.
You, God,
prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course
you set;
Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with
your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn
the pattern of your righteous ways.
I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off
and leave me.
How
can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your
Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the
road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I
won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your
mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in
gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you. I attentively watch
how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a
word of it.
Be
generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my
eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your
miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for
your nourishing commands.
And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything
you tell them—let them have it!
Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do
just what you said.
While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed
in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me
delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
- As
a group, identify all the words and statements that refer to the mood of
the author and underline them. What is the mood of the psalmist towards the law? Why does he
feel this way?
- As
a group, identify all the times the Psalm refers to laws, decrees,
statutes, etc and circle them. What would you say is the theme of these verses?
- Where
in your life do you find as much joy as the psalmist found in the Word’s
of God?
- Share
a time in your own life when you’ve felt like God’s Word tasted better
than desert?
READ
the following excerpt for Donald Miller’s, Blue
Like Jazz
“Long
before I landed in Portland but shortly after my conversion to Christian
spirituality, I experienced periods of affinity with God. I would lie on my
bedroom floor, reading my Bible, going at the words for hours, all of them like
arms wrapped tightly around my chest. It seemed as though the words were alive
with minds and motions of their own, as though God were crawling thoughts
inside my head for guidance, comfort, and strength.
For a while, I felt as though the world
were a watch and God had lifted the lid so I could see the gears. The intricate rules of the sociospiritual
landscape were something like a play to me, and I was delighted at every turn
in the plot.
The truths of the Bible were magic,
like messages from heaven, like codes, enchanting codes that offered power over
life, a sort of power that turned sorrow to joy, hardship to challenge, and
trial to opportunity. Nothing in my life
was mundane.
Early on, I made the mistake of
wanting spiritual feelings to endure and remain romantic. Like a new couple
expecting to always feel in love, I operated my faith thinking God and I were
going to walk around smelling flowers. When this didn’t happen I became
confused.” (59-60)
Donald Miller seems to have experienced a time when the truths of the
Bible were like dessert. But then it
seemed like the “honeymoon” of his time reading Bible came to an end.
- How
has your experience with the Bible compare or contrast to Donald
Miller’s?
- Is
there a way to keep the Bible always tasting like dessert?
What’s Next?
For the next four weeks, commit to
using the Big Idea concept to further your conversations with God. How?
- Join
a Replay group to discuss the weekend message,
- Attend
a Big Idea group (jump on the web at www.keystonecc.org
for a list,
- Use
the Big Idea tool from the program by yourself or with your family,
- Or
use the PB&J devotional with your children (pick it up in your child’s
class.
A 30 day commitment will turn into a
habit and soon you won’t want to live without it.
