Supernatural RSM Series – Introduction
Refton Student Ministry Series:
Supernatural: Introduction – What You Know May Not Be So
Imagine stripping away everything we have learned over the years about the Bible. We would first need to strip away our assumptions about the text. This would include our experiences that have helped us to interpret what we’re reading. It also includes those things that we just skip over… you know, those weird things of the Bible that we simply chalk up to different times and different cultures. If we could do that, then we would need to remove those “facts” that we have been taught through Sunday School, sermons, student ministry nights and however else we have learned about the Bible. If this were possible, we would then be in a better position to take the Bible for what it is and allow it to speak for itself rather than us speaking our own thoughts into it.
Taking this into consideration for What You Know May Not Be So, RSM will attempt to paint the story of the Bible in its own context. Actually, “context” isn’t a helpful word. I’ve been teaching for years that we need to consider the context when we read the Bible. But what exactly does that mean? We usually think it means that we need to read the paragraphs around the passage we’re studying. It might even mean that we take into account all the historical data that we can squeeze from our passage. But the context in which the biblical authors wrote is so much more than those details.
It’s their “worldview”
In other words, what are the experiences and cultures of the biblical authors that helped to shape their thinking? Once we can better understand their worldview, we then have set ourselves up to better understand the scriptures they wrote. We view the world through our own lenses. If you’re an American like me, then you grew up in the west [the global west] where we are skeptical of spiritual things. In fact, whether we realize it or not, most of us tend to allow Hollywood to define the spiritual realm rather than the Bible. Here’s an example: Angels don’t have wings. We think they do because that is what has been engrained in us. The reality is that there is not one example in all of scripture where angels have wings. I know, I know… you’re thinking, “What about the seraphim that had 6 wings?” The problem is with the term “angel” because the word itself describes a job that a spiritual being does. More on this will follow during part 2 of this series.
What’s the Big Deal?
Who cares if angels have wings? I agree. That’s not really a game changer. However, if we allow ourselves to shed our worldview to the best of our ability so that we can see more clearly through the worldview of the biblical authors, then one thing is for sure: We will never read the Bible the same way again. And that’s a good thing! I believe this series will be life changing because we will not only be better Bible readers, but we will also better communicate our faith to those around us. We will be able to answer questions like:
Why does it seem like God commits genocide in the Old Testament?
Why is sin such a big deal to God?
Why did Jesus have to die on a cross?
And why in the world are there GIANTS in the Bible?!
The answers to these questions matter, and again, what you know may not be so!
Mark Your Calendars!
So if you’re a student, I encourage you to cancel your plans and make the next couple months of student ministry a priority. You’ll be glad you did! And if you’re a parent, you’re the primary reason as to why I’m writing this blog. These blog entries are meant for you to read so that you not only know where I’m coming from and where I’m going, but also so that you can study the material for yourself. Each blog post after this one will coincide with the RSM lesson for that week. I will also provide some helpful resources that I’ve used along the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! Below is a sneak peak at the entire lesson series: