Lifeway's adult Sunday School lessons

[Kormagh]

Does anyone else find these lessons a little shallow and missing the point of Scripture often? We are still seeking a church body to join and most use these lessons. They seem to focus more on life application and what you think it means instead of interpreting scripture in light of scripture. I'd rather take the passage and discuss it and toss the lesson most times.

 

[Publius]

Does anyone else find these lessons a little shallow and missing the point of Scripture often? We are still seeking a church body to join and most use these lessons. They seem to focus more on life application and what you think it means instead of interpreting scripture in light of scripture. I'd rather take the passage and discuss it and toss the lesson most times.

Even though they're a part of my own denomination, I don't really trust Lifeway.

But in all fairness to them, it's not just them. Most pre-packaged Sunday School lessons are really bad.

I get packages from people trying to get me to buy their program for our church all the time and I haven't found one yet that I'd use.

 

[OzSpen]

Does anyone else find these lessons a little shallow and missing the point of Scripture often? We are still seeking a church body to join and most use these lessons. They seem to focus more on life application and what you think it means instead of interpreting scripture in light of scripture. I'd rather take the passage and discuss it and toss the lesson most times.

Since I don't live in your country, I'm not familiar with this material. However, I recall when Zondervan was releasing the Life Application Bible of the NIV a few years ago, there was a string of life application studies. These didn't get to the core of what the text said, but was more interested in life application.

However, I must say that I believe in applying Scripture, but not before the harder task of exegeting the Scripture is attempted.

My view is that individual Christians and few group Bible studies in my region know how to engage in inductive study of the text of Scripture.

I'd be interested in knowing how many have been taught some fundamental principles, at the lay level, of biblical interpretation of the text of Scripture.

Is there much inductive Bible study done in your evangelical church? Does your church equip people to study the Bible inductively?

In Christ, Oz

 

[greatdivide46]

I think you're right about LifeWay Adult Sunday School lessons. They focus on life application. As I study them every week, I've found that sometimes the student book is better than the leader's guide as far as giving the meaning of Scripture. Not always, but sometimes. I guess it depends on the author. Every month has a different author. But I agree that if you want something that exegetes Scripture and delves into the original languages and stuff like that LifeWay is probably not what you're looking for.

 

[a pilgrim]

Does anyone else find these lessons a little shallow and missing the point of Scripture often? We are still seeking a church body to join and most use these lessons. They seem to focus more on life application and what you think it means instead of interpreting scripture in light of scripture. I'd rather take the passage and discuss it and toss the lesson most times.

UG! I pastored a little SBC church out in the country near my home a couple of years ago. They insisted on using he "sorry" things. They were shallow, carnal, and otherwise useless. I commendered the S.S. hour from time to time to give them something besides baby food. Alas!

Teach the Old Black Book! It was good for our mother's it's good enough for me!

 

[VCViking]

Never liked them.

 

[MrJim]

Yeah we use them and yeah they are shallow; there was a lesson there couple weeks ago and it tried to use a demonic possession as an example of an illness~I read the passage and charged the teacher that it had nothing to do with sickness but was a demonic in nature but that didn't go over to well lol.

 

[Kormagh]

I'd be interested in knowing how many have been taught some fundamental principles, at the lay level, of biblical interpretation of the text of Scripture.

Is there much inductive Bible study done in your evangelical church? Does your church equip people to study the Bible inductively?

In Christ, Oz

I once was attending an SBC and in the men's study group (which the pastor taught) had just finished a study and asked for suggestions. My wife and I were young believers then, searching for a church. I suggested that we study hermeneutics. Two thirds of the men in the class didn't know what it was, and the pastor and the rest laughed and said, "Whoa! That's too deep!"
We left.

In the 10 years I've been a Christian, I have yet to find a church that teaches it's members inductive Bible study. The only Baptist church's that I have been to that digs deep into the meat of scripture are (hold your breath!) Calvinists.

 

[Kormagh]

I have never taught before, but it seems to me that laziness has infiltrated the church when they use these shallow studies instead of doing the hard work of Bible study and lesson planning.
Somewhere the Bible says that the pastor/teacher should be freed-up from much of the concerns of the church and be devoted to Bible study and prayer in order to feed his flock. I have met some pastors that spend 2 hrs/wk planning their sermon and spend the rest of their time in meetings and conventions, or just on other projects.

I know this does not describe all churches, and it saddens me to see churches in disarray. Even worse, is that most don't know it and are content on milk.

 

[Kormagh]

UG! I pastored a little SBC church out in the country near my home a couple of years ago. They insisted on using he "sorry" things. They were shallow, carnal, and otherwise useless. I commendered the S.S. hour from time to time to give them something besides baby food. Alas!

Teach the Old Black Book! It was good for our mother's it's good enough for me!

Amen!

 

[VCViking]

I'd be interested in knowing how many have been taught some fundamental principles, at the lay level, of biblical interpretation of the text of Scripture.

Is there much inductive Bible study done in your evangelical church? Does your church equip people to study the Bible inductively?

In Christ, Oz

Yes, my Pastor teaches a college/seminary level course once a year. Last year he finished Biblical Hermeneutics and then started Systematic Theology which just finished last week. I believe for the summer he is going to do a marriage type course and then in the Fall he is going to start Biblical Counseling. I've only been there a year but he does this every year. It is a blessing.

 

[OzSpen]

I once was attending an SBC and in the men's study group (which the pastor taught) had just finished a study and asked for suggestions. My wife and I were young believers then, searching for a church. I suggested that we study hermeneutics. Two thirds of the men in the class didn't know what it was, and the pastor and the rest laughed and said, "Whoa! That's too deep!"
We left.

In the 10 years I've been a Christian, I have yet to find a church that teaches it's members inductive Bible study. The only Baptist church's that I have been to that digs deep into the meat of scripture are (hold your breath!) Calvinists.

Kormah,

There is some fundamental lay level material available that could be used in equipping people in the pew. I have 2 items in my library that I think are ideal for this:

1. Oletta Wald 2002. The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study, rev ed. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House (96 pages). That book is for the student. There is a volume for the teacher as well, Oletta Wald 2002. The Joy of Teaching Discovery Bible Study. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House (96 pages). This is a marvellous lay-level series that I have used to teach inductive Bible study.
2. Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart 2009. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House.

There is no excuse for this not being able to happen in any local church that has a Bible teacher, when such practical material is available.

However, I would never call it hermeneutics. That's seminary level lingo. It is on how to learn how to discover what the Bible teaches for yourself (in a group) OR, how to interpret the Bible.


Oz

 

[Kormagh]

However, I would never call it hermeneutics. That's seminary level lingo. It is on how to learn how to discover what the Bible teaches for yourself (in a group) OR, how to interpret the Bible.

Oz

Thanks for the info! I've been taught by listening to sermons on mp3 and online sites for most of my decade as a Christian.

 

[jpcedotal]

I agree...it is getting harder and harder to find a church that does actual Bible study in context. Everything is focused on application nowadays. My gripe is one has to understand the text in relation to itself FIRST before any application can be deciphered. Sunday school has turned into a "everyone's opinion and interpretation is correct" so there is no actual learning...just a "I think" class...and I do blame Lifeway to a point, but more often than not Christians are only opening their Bibles on Sunday mornings now....that's the real problem. I mean, we are not even studying these shallow Lifeway lessons so how can we hope to deepen our understanding of the Word if we don't even open our Bibles.

 

[OzSpen]

Thanks for the info! I've been taught by listening to sermons on mp3 and online sites for most of my decade as a Christian.

Which preachers in these sermons have been most helpful for your Christian development? As an Aussie Down Under, would I know them?

I receive a link to John Piper's sermons every week. My wife and I have read our fair share of John MacArthur material. I receive Dr. Mohler's "Briefing" on a daily basis but the latter is only a link to what he considers are important news items. I don't receive any of his teaching.

Most of my teaching has come from study of the Word myself and a large library of commentaries and books on theology, etc. I read NT Greek, so my resources include Greek grammars, word studies (Kittel, Brown), etc. I have 2,500 vols in my personal library.

However, getting substance in a home group is hard to find here in northern Brisbane. I'm of the group that a home group ought to have more than Bible study, but needs to include intercessory prayer and care for one another in the body of Christ.

Oz

 

[MrJim]

Not only is the lesson shallow our class, while having an hour designated, generally only uses about 40 minutes for actual "study" while the rest is "waiting" for others to get to class and spending an overly long time on "prayer requests" and such. Our pastor says the SS class is the official small group "bible study"~~on Sunday night & Wed night it's definitely sermon/lecture time with no chance for feedback or discussion. At the American Baptist Church I was at Wed night was bible study and the pastors (went through 3 of them there~retired/interim/new) worked through books of the bible or topical issues with lots of bible study about the issue which I found more interactive and helpful...frankly SS is a missed opportunity though there are a couple other classes on Sunday morning and I should just check another one.

 

[VCViking]

I receive a link to John Piper's sermons every week. My wife and I have read our fair share of John MacArthur material. I receive Dr. Mohler's "Briefing" on a daily basis but the latter is only a link to what he considers are important news items. I don't receive any of his teaching.


Oz

Not trying to stir trouble or go off topic but you do know they are Calvinists, right?

 

[OzSpen]

Not trying to stir trouble or go off topic but you do know they are Calvinists, right?

Of course I know they are Calvinists. That doesn't stop me from reading their material and benefitting from some of it. I believe in reading the enemy.

I don't only read people on my side. But I do read people who assess the Calvinistic perspective biblically.

I've just finished reading a group of Southern Baptist scholars who are refuting the Calvinistic resurgence in the SBC. I'm speaking of an excellent publication, David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke (eds) 2010. Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic.

Oz

 

[Kormagh]

Which preachers in these sermons have been most helpful for your Christian development?

Oz

John Piper, John MacArthur, R.W. Glenn (Solid Food Media) Mike Abendroth (No Compromise Radio), Tim Conway, Paul Washer, Charles Leiter, R.C. Sproul, and White Horse Inn to name a few.

 

[VCViking]

Of course I know they are Calvinists. That doesn't stop me from reading their material and benefitting from some of it. I believe in reading the enemy.

I don't only read people on my side. But I do read people who assess the Calvinistic perspective biblically.

I've just finished reading a group of Southern Baptist scholars who are refuting the Calvinistic resurgence in the SBC. I'm speaking of an excellent publication, David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke (eds) 2010. Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic.

Oz

Thanks for the book and link, I'll check it out. I to believe in "keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

That "enemy" comment of yours was funny!