How Best To Eat

I appreciate the comments Stephen made about the neccesity in reading and studying the Bible. (read his post at "My Best Friend) We need to ask ourselves, how do we best read, understand, and apply the Scriptures to our lives. Stephen used the Biblical metaphors of moving from babies milk to solid food, or my analogy of a steak at Outback. Acts 2:42a says, "They devoted themselves to the Apostle's teaching and to the fellowship..." Of course, the teaching was in its early form since the church was now just beginning. But they were learning together. Sociologists and others who study youth culture are saying that youth today are looking for local connections and a global commitment. Or in their terms being "glocal." This is a major shift of the individualism (I did it my way; the Marlboro Man) and if you went beyond yourself to nationalism of recent generations. So it looks like today's young people want to learn in the context of community. When you think about it, followers of Jesus had to do this for centuries. You had very few copies of the Scriptures. It wouldn't be until the 1400's and the printing press that Scriptures became available to more people. The Bible verse in Acts 2:42 stresses it was "they," "themselves," and the "fellowship" where they lived out the Scriptures. Yes, I believe each person has a responsibility to search the Scriptures, but I think more can be accomplished in the context of community. It reduces errors in interpretation, brings other points to light, and challenges a need to application. Wouldn't it be so neat if there was a group of high school or college students who wanted to meet everyday after school to learn the Scriptures. Hey, now that's an idea. Anybody up to the challenge? It would be so exciting! But it'll never happen. We're all too busy for community. Or maybe it's a matter of our priorities. Maybe those First Century followers of Jesus were on to something. Maybe that's why they could follow Jesus even if it meant their lives. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"