A biblical worldview should be an essential for a believer in Christ. Yet, it is not always true for every person who claims the term Christian. If you have been in church – in most Christian denominations, you have heard your many Bible stories. Through preaching, Bible studies, Sunday school, dramas, music and other means, Bible stories are laid out for us in various fashions.
We gain lots of knowledge of various Bible stories, yet knowledge alone does not a disciple of Christ make. I would assert that most Christians/church goers have heard their share of Bible stories yet have no comprehensive approach of applying the truths of this knowledge in their daily lives. Little David killed the big bad giant, Goliath. But what does that have to do with my work on Tuesday?
Many churches have turned to the theory of need for information, give them as much information and knowledge of what is in the Bible, verse by verse, with little application of God’s truth in life throughout the week. some without any application. I am not knocking any method of teaching/preaching, but if all we are giving is information, are we creating only trivia buffs? In the Great Commission, Jesus said “teach them all that I have commanded you” shouldn’t that include Jesus’ instructions on how to? Over 60% of Jesus’ teachings were application.
The knowledge of truth is essential, but so is application. A true biblical worldview must contain both. Many churchgoers can tell you stories of the Bible. Faithful believers can convey how the truth of biblical stories connect to their beliefs. But “how many can convey how they know the beliefs they hold are true?”[i]
Without being able to answer that last question, a biblical worldview cannot exist. That question is answered as we apply the knowledge of truth in our lives and experience God working through those applications. We must have biblical knowledge, be able to convey God’s truth of that knowledge, while also communicating how we know our beliefs are universal truth. This is developed over time through knowledge and application into an instinctual awareness of confidence in who we are and who God is. Only then will we prevail with a true biblical worldview. And that worldview must continually be groomed and grown with further gaining of knowledge and continual application in every aspect of life.
We are tasked in the Great Commission to assist one another in the continual attainment of knowledge and prevailing practice (application) in our daily living. Certainly, Pastors, teachers, and leaders have a significant role to play here, but Christ gave the Great Commission to each and every believer. You and I have a role to play in growing in knowledge and practice while also assisting others in the same.
This dually aligned equipping with knowledge and application is God’s only concept for developing a biblical worldview, which He desires from each of His children. What is your next step for gaining biblical knowledge and applying it in your life space this week?
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.
[i] McDowell/Wallace, So the Next Generation Will Know,pg 89