Words Of Encouragement #6 - No Substitute For God's Word

As we complete our lessons in the book of Judges, yet before we open the book of Ruth, we can read a few verses that may remind us of the times we live in and the seriousness of sin. 

• Judges 17:6 - "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
• Judges 18:1 - "In those days there was no king in Israel..."
• Judges 21:25 - "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

The Israelites had a law to live by. They had the law of Moses, but they refused to listen and definitely refused to obey that law. Godly men had looked around to the surrounding nations and began imitating what they saw the ungodly do and wanted to "be like them." Much to God's sorrow, they refused Him and His Ways and did what they wanted to do.

Is that not like the world we live in? Men refusing God? Men choosing disobedience over godliness? Dear friend, you and I have a tremendous job to do! We need to teach our children and teach them carefully, so they will never forget God and His ways. We must teach them to love the LORD and serve Him only. As Bible teachers reading through these Old Testament stories, we are able to see the consequences of sin and the rewards of obedience.  May we apply what we learn and teach it to our children.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 tells us there is no substitute for teaching and preaching God's Word. Don't we do that every Lord's Day in our classroom? If we fail to teach our children the Word of God, we are failing in our responsibilities as Bible teachers. This passage teaches that there will be a time when people will not endure sound doctrine, but, because they have itching ears, they heap to themselves teachers and they will turn away from the Truth and shall be turned to fables. Do you see the apostasy in those verses? 

1. First, they will not endure sound doctrine.
2. Next, they will have itching ears, seeking teachers who say what they want to hear.
3. Then, they will turn away from the Truth.
4. Finally, they will turn to fables or make-believe stories.

Are we teaching God's Word or fables? Are we teaching book, chapter, and verse for absolutely everything we teach in our classroom? Are we teaching the children to respect and treasure the Bible? 

Dear friend, this is not a game that we play on Sunday mornings to occupy the children's time, so they will not disturb the adults. We are teaching God's Truth to small souls who will grow up and obey God or grow up and disobey God. We now play an important part in our children's lives. Let us teach to the best of our ability and teach them not foolishness, but the Word of God.