Educated but not activated...?

I recently attended a bible camp in the UK.

One of the speakers said that many of us Christians are "educated but not activated". We read our bibles, listen to sermon after sermon, use Logos bible software. We have the education, our education should lead to action (activated).

So my question is this. When we use Logos bible software we get a great education, but what do we do with this knowledge, does it lead to action? Does change us? Does it motivate us?

What practical steps do you put in place to make sure you apply what you have learned by using Logos bible software?

I can learn about making disciples, but am I making disciples?

How can we make sure we apply what we have learned?

P A

(Just a thought...)

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Comments

Rich DeRuiter

Good thought. Doesn't directly address using the program per se, but still a good question.

One of the things I try to do I heard Bill Johnson (of Bethel church in Redding, CA) say: I read the Bible, not so I can teach from it, but to be changed by it. I don't read it for information, but for transformation. [not a direct quote]

I like the emphasis on personal transformation over garnering information. Information is not unimportant, but it's only important to the degree that it helps us become more like Christ. I also find that often information is helpful in dismantling the lies or misunderstandings that hold us back, or give us a perception of God that is too small, or sees Him in a "box" of human construction.

The whole point of Christian discipleship is that we become more Christlike in every aspect of our lives. If that's not happening, or if it only happens in our heads, something is very, very wrong.

Lew Worthington

It's an excellent question. Going further into this as it relates to Logos, I have to ask myself continually not just "is resource X worth the money", but we can extrapolate using P A's question: "Will I become closer to Christ, or will God's work benefit, or will God's justice be promoted, or will widows and orphans be looked after, etc. at least $1,000 worth because of this purchase?"

It's tough because we're almost mixing apples and oranges, but there is a correlation between our investments in knowledge and training and the progress of God's kingdom. But the strength of that correlation cannot be measured in any meaningful way. And this is all complicated if one's calling is Christian higher education.

It just makes the whole issue of stewardship impossible without prayer.

Richard Villanueva

This is an interesting question!! And how it relates to using the software adds a different dimension to Logos for me now.

My first thought is: I know it has enlivened my conversation and fellowship with the people around me, and has definitely spurred several really engaging talks about the word. That in turn has really sharpened my understanding and made me be more bold in sharing the gospel.

Additionally, there have been a couple times I was presented a question or challenge and I've been able to say "give me a week and I can find an answer for you." And (because it was something I knew would reach them) I was actually able to send them pages of my clippings and a short summary for them to read! That in turn led to another conversation that really encouraged their faith.

I've also thought about trying an "open ended" bible study where i take some of the teens I pastor and see where the questions or subject leads us through Logos, trying to show them how they can think about the word, search through scriptures on their own, and how to "connect the dots" through the Word. But I am a little hesitant simply because I know I love taking time to "wander" through my library, following God's bread crumb trail... I just don't know if that would translate as interesting/fun with a few 15-17 year olds as well!😁

With the idea that "to whom much is given, much is required" I wonder if since I have a gold mine of information, how much more responsible I am to share and act on what I read and know about from my studies!

Looks like it may be time to activate the prayer list tool and get to work. [;)]

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/754987#Comment_754987

One of my complaints re: Logos/Verbum is the Prayer List which is designed more for petitionary/intercessory prayer rather than praying the Scripture with the intent of being changed. I've gotten nowhere in my attempts to get a more scripture-oriented prayer feature.

Richard Villanueva

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755025#Comment_755025

MJ, how would you envision that working?? Would a passage list of scriptures function as a list of scriptures to pray? I'm interested in hearing what you think should be implimented! Especially if it coils be shared in a FL group or printed out as something I could share with a small group of some sorts.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755231#Comment_755231

First, there are the various Daily Office hours in variety of forms from a variety of denominations. Here a reading plan/comment style prayer tool is appropriate

Second there are prayer books of passages to pray, especial lectio divina style which could be implemented as a passage/date pairing. with comments (not answers).

Third there are method books that offer technique that could be passage/date/technique/comment oriented - think "javelin prayers" (ejaculations), paraphrases in first person, prayer inspired by passage, memorized verse of the day ....

The huge differences from the current implementation are (a) a tie to a scripture passage (b) often cyclic (c) "answers" do not close the prayer.