It is fun to study the Bible with a new believer. What's even more interesting is to study it with an unbeliever. Such is the case with a new friend of mine.
He is interested in understanding the Bible better and experiencing the peace that he sees in some of the Christian men he knows. He is guarded and cautious, however. He doesn't want to be taken in. He also has non-Christian friends who are warning him against getting religious and hanging around people who take the Bible literally. So, in his words, he is not ready "to purchase" Christ yet.
We looked at Mark 6 through Mark 10 tonight and then examined the reality of the resurrection (in Mark 16). The resurrection was the center piece of the message of the early Christian missionaries. A snippet of an early Christian presentation of the gospel can be found at Acts 10:39 - Acts 10:43.
Several questions my friend asked in tonight's Bible study were the kind of questions I never get in a Bible study ... like, "who is Elijah?" ... "where is the book of Acts?" ... "where are the souls of people who have already died". He was also surprised to learn that the Bible teaches that everyone will be resurrected.
We talked about judgment day since this is a reality and part of the message of the gospel.
"And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. " (Acts 10:42)
Interestingly enough, he listened attentively to this part but did not raise any questions about hell.
I also spent some time comparing the two approaches to approaching Christ.
Approach one, the Pharisees (Mark 8):
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
... and approach two, the children (Mark 10)
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
The implications are clear. How we approach Christ matters ... there was a purity in the way the children approached Christ that the Pharisees did not have. The children did not approach Christ with an agenda ... the Pharisees did. Some interpret "child like" faith to mean a simple (i.e. ignorant) faith. I think this misses the point. I think it is the purity of the child like faith that is in focus ... the completeness ... the total trust that a child has.
If you get a chance, open a Bible with a non-believer. I recommend studying the gospel of Mark together. It is the shortest of all the gospels. It is a fast read and gives you an introduction to Jesus Christ, his deity, his authority, and his death and resurrection. Don't pressure your friend to become a Christian. Treat your study as a fact finding mission.
Timely post! I've been reading the gospel of Mark with an unbelieving friend of mine too; great experience for both of us. We've just looked at Mark 4:35 till the end of chapter 5, and exploring Jesus' invitation not to fear him, but to trust Him instead.
BK, an occasional lurker
Posted by: BK | May 08, 2007 at 12:32