[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Who among us loves the Bible? Does that love translate into the ability to apply what we know to everyday life? As Christians, it really is central to who we are and what we believe. The bible takes us into a relationship with Jesus and helps us discern real truth from the avalanche of information that surrounds us.
These answers are important foundations for every Christian believer. When we look at the Garden of Eden, we see there’s good knowledge and bad knowledge. But how can we tell the difference? We need to have the right heart attitude to hear what God is saying to us.
Dr Sam Hey is a Bible Teacher and Sociologist, who currently lectures at Christian Heritage College. He joined us recently on 20Twenty to share his thoughts on the benefits of Bible College, and how a sound knowledge of the bible can help us as Christians in our daily life.
Personal Growth and Learning
Sam believes that just a couple of years at Bible College can give up to 10 – 20 years of personal growth and learning. When you write an essay, you read 10 or more books in the process. You learn a lot, but you’re also with a much wider range of people. Bible college introduces you to the whole 2000 years of great teachers of God.
‘You listen to all the major ideas that they bring, and you develop a balance between them,’ says Sam. ‘At CHC, they have a great Bible College in Christian ministry. But they also they have other studies in education, counselling, business and social sciences. It’s an investment with great rewards.’
Sam advises being careful about what you search for online. He goes back to his Bible college notes often, and it has helped him have a solid foundation. There is so much information available, and we need to be discerning. Is what we’re reading actually true Christian teaching?
Wisdom and Truth
‘There’s good knowledge, which is the word of God. It’s wisdom and truth and trust in God,’ says Sam. ‘In this life journey, we need to know the difference between good knowledge and bad knowledge. Sometimes it’s a matter of timing. It can also be partly about humility, and the relationship between the person who’s teaching us.’
If we look at Romans 16:19, Paul said, I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent and about what is evil. It shows us the dangers of certain forms of knowledge. It’s one thing to have knowledge, but it’s another to have a right heart attitude. It’s another thing altogether to know when and how to use the knowledge you have.
‘You need a balanced diet,’ says Sam. ‘The word of God reminds us that He is on the throne. Sometimes before I’ve had my quiet time the world doesn’t look so good. We need the word of God and we need prayer to develop a sense of what’s right.’
Developing Habits
We travel through life in relationship with others, and we’ve got to decide who we trust. Are we allowing the right people to speak into our lives? Choosing our focus, developing habits, having quiet time and going to church are all important ways of tuning in to how God speaks to us.
It’s so important that when we’re trying to hear the voice of God, we don’t just go it alone. We need the council of many, we need God’s word and we need a revelation as well. But we also need to understand ourselves and our own emotions.
‘A settled spirit understands how and why we react to something,’ says Sam. ‘We need to have the right perspective on each situation. Sometimes we can be driven by the wrong motives. We need to understand the situation with help from others, and then also understand ourselves.’
‘There are many passages in scripture that don’t just give us the answers. They challenge us to think for ourselves. Go to scripture expecting God to challenge you, to grow you, and to develop you.’
Listen to Sam’s full interview on 20Twenty below:
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