As a Bible teacher, ministry head, Pastor's wife and church member, I've heard the same phrase stated different ways several times over the years. Each and every time I inwardly cringe. I have to remind myself not to take it personal. But, Today I want to talk about it, and if possible expose some of the meaning behind it and propose some ways of meeting the needs expressed by it.
The phrase can be stated many ways but pretty much means the same thing. Here's how it sometimes goes:
* " I just need to go deeper."
* " I'm just not being fed."
* "I'm hungry for some meatier teachings."
* "I need a teacher who really makes me dig."
People who say this probably simply mean that they are growing in their walk and God has put a deep hunger for spiritual food in their hearts and that they are desperate to learn and apply the scriptures. But sometimes they mean to give their leaders and teachers a back door criticism. The implication is that the teaching they are currently getting is deficient, shallow, or even compromised with worldliness. Sometimes they want to be intellectually stimulated, to feel spiritually elite, to delve into philosophical controversies or ideological arguments, and theological rhetoric. These side issues can detract from the basic principals of scripture, the simplicity of the gospel, and the true application of the Word. Jesus Himself had detractors such as these and he stated in John 4:34 that doing God's will is the true essence of "Meat", not word studies or greek texts.
My advice to folks who feel they need more, deeper or greater mysteries of God is to learn to feed yourselves, go deep as you want privately. Take what you learn and bring others along. Share the gospel. Actual knowledge of God leads to loving Him more, looking more like Jesus and loving others sacrificially.
The truth is that the scriptures contain unfathomable depths. The more you explore it, the more you see you have yet to discover. The Word is living, active and useful for daily living. So yes, we must go deep...and wide.
We must go broad brush as we take in the whole counsel of God. This includes reading the entirety of the scripture through and large chunks. For me this year I'm doing the read the Bible through in 90 days plan. I may do it more than once. This gives me a sweeping view of history and God's eternal plan down through the ages. But this wide view is not enough.
We must also go deep into very specific studies of scripture, small bits at a time to extract every tidbit of truth it contains and then apply it ruthlessly to our lives, giving no room for careless living or disobedience. This involves getting into a bible study that is focused on a smaller section of the word. By the way, we must never expect a pastor to feed you enough of the word in one hour on Sunday to sustain and grow you to spiritual maturity. This is where you must feed yourself and get yourself into a small group.
Whether you are hearing a simple Gospel story in a 5 year old sunday school room or a lecture of the book of Romans from a seminary scholar, the impact of the Word comes at the point of application, where truth and human life intersect. So innovative, conversational, highly illustrated messages may not appeal to the urge to be elite or special , but they impact behavior greatly. Find a church, teacher or pastor whose teachings are scriptural AND applicable and "deeper" is the only way you can go. The Holy Spirit guarantees it.
I'll close the blog today with a little teaching chart I based from Psalm 119:1-16. It describes the different attitudes a believer should have as they seek God through the Word as well as the different types of teaching contained in the precious scriptures. As we launch out into a new year together, may we meet our Savior in His Word and may we leave every possible agenda aside other than knowing God and applying His word and Glorifying His Name!
Psalm 119:1-16
Scripture type Our Response
v. 1- Law Walk according to it
v.2- Testimonies Observe, Seek whole-heartedly
v. 3- Ways Walk righteously by it
v. 4- Precepts Keep diligently
v. 5- Statutes Established and kept
v. 6- Commandments Look upon, keep unashamed
v. 7- Righteous Judgements Learn with thankfulness
v. 9- Word Keep way pure
v. 10- Commands Seek with all my heart
v.11- Words Treasure in order to avoid sin
v. 12- Teachings Bless God
v. 13- Ordinances Tell of with my lips
v.14- Testimonies Rejoice in
v.15- Ways and Precepts Meditate on and regard as right
v. 16- Statutes Delight in and not forget
So, let's crave the meat! But let's also humbly receive Biblical teaching that is not compromised yet is innovative, captivating, applicable and seeks to draw the lost. Jesus taught like that. If we follow His lead we will be deep and wide and our nets will always be full of a great harvest. And He will get the glory, not tickle our egos with how "deep" we are. The depths of the Scriptures is inexhaustible and we have eternity to plumb its fathoms, but only this life to make Him known to all the world in the simplicity of the Gospel for all.
So well said! It's the pastor/teacher's job to meet you where you are and point you to Christ and spur you on. It's your job to study deeper, pray and seek Christ Himself.
Posted by: Mindy | 01/10/2011 at 10:19 AM
Oh my goodness that was so good! I love that you brought this to light. It bugs me so much when people say: I am not getting fed! Ohhhhhhhh… that is such a hot button for me! The truth that leaps off this blog page is what you said so simply-significantly: “The Holy Spirit guarantees it!!!” God’s kingdom purposes have nothing to do with us! It is all about Him! The Word of God will always feed us; it is designed with an infinite-eternal edge that does not return void! We have the freedom to choose to grow deeper, but the value of our depth is only seen in the responsibility of our expression of it. I express deep humility out of the depth of my relationship with Jesus Christ, Who feeds me by His Spirit, therefore when I go to a bible study, I go already full and ready to humbly - 1st give out of this abundance and second receive. Being in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, His Word and His Holy Spirit is so humbling, that it is with grateful AWE that the I in your life bows in willessness! Willessness is what carves the deepest path to your heart, not wisdom! With willessness, you are willing to receive always and in any way from God, your hearing is not selective or set by mood, atmosphere or style! Willessness is the vision of faith that sees Kingdom Purpose and walks humbly in the wisdom of God, being grateful for the everyday manna, the Holy Spirit guarantees to those willing to eat of it, no matter the texture, look or taste! God is daily feeding us, not to grow deeper into our own style of spirituality, but to be nurtured in His Kingdom purposes and bear the fruit of His Way, Truth and Life so that others may eat of God's life!
Posted by: Kimberly McCarthy | 01/10/2011 at 08:39 PM