I wrote a quick article on one of my other sites just before Christmas that I wanted to re-publish here. It seems like I am becoming more and more convinced that we need to hear the Bible more these days. While it is preached in strong churches around the country and read by most Christians (I hope) on a regular basis, I wonder if there is not also a place for simple vocal presentation of the scriptures? Read about some of my recent experiences below and see if you don’t agree.
Several weeks ago I ordered a GoBible Voyager. It came pre-loaded with a King James Version audio Bible read by Alexander Scourby. I can honestly say it has been a fantastic purchase that I have used nearly every day since it arrived.
Before I was in high school I discovered, after a series of surveys, that I was an auditory learner. I think those surveys had some validity, because in the years following I have increasingly begun to understand that I retain far more of what I hear than read. This can make things especially tricky when I am trying to learn and retain Bible narratives.
When teaching on the difficult doctrine of sin recently for Sunday School, I found myself reading key passages perhaps a dozen times and still not totally capturing the meaning. It seemed no matter how much I attempted to concentrate I still didn’t feel comfortable that I could rehearse details accurately in my class. At that point I began reading some of the passages quietly to myself. It felt a little awkward, but seemed to help.
I have also become a voracious consumer of mp3 sermons. When I hear a pastor teach through a particular passage, reading and explaining it, I almost always retain the details. I cannot say the same of a scripture reading session, even if I outline the section with pencil and paper.
These were discoveries about myself that I could no longer ignore. Therefore I began to think over how I could go about increasing my retention of the Bible passages I wanted to learn better. After seeing the GoBible several times I decided it was worth a try.
While I would like to say the device has revolutionized my Bible study experience, I am not sure it has…yet. With that being said, I am seeing some hopeful signs.
The first is my ability to remember timelines. I have struggled mightily with getting Old Testament people and events set in the proper order in my mind. If a question of when something happened came up, I would frequently need to look it up in order to find the answer. After recently listening to the books of Kings and Judges – then being asked a simple question about their details during a church Bible study, the order of events seemed clear. I don’t remember ever having this confidence, even on a familiar passage.
The second has been my retention of obscure names. Reading a name over and over has literally never helped me to learn it. Two recent occasions have proved that hearing the names is a different story. As I worked my way through audio versions of the minor prophets a few weeks ago, I found I remembered names days later. Another new experience that makes me think there might be something to this!
Check out my review of the GoBible Voyager and let me know what you think. There are a whole host of other ways to listen to the Bible as well. If you experience any of the difficulties with reading that I do, you might want to give listening a try. It could prove to be a valuable part of your Biblical education.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.
I was privileged to listen to a message today that successfully explains several scriptural principles of New Testament Church polity. It comes at exactly the right time in the history of fundamentalism, as our movement becomes more fragmented and confused by the day. Reformed theology is gaining acceptance, lines are being blurred on the role of Elders and Deacons and an ever-broadening spectrum of belief on the local assembly is commonplace.
We are desperately in need of clarity in the muddy waters of modern Christianity. Thank God we are finding it somewhere! In this case it’s on the campus of Maranatha Baptist Bible College, as Dr. Charles Phelps addresses the role of the Elder. If you have any time at all to commit to the study, I would encourage you to play or download it below.
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Download The Place of Elders in Baptist Church Polity
Often times even the most conservative Christians somehow forget the importance of personal and ecclesiastical separation. Simply understanding the doctrine is not beneficial unless clear and direct application is made. That is where a great number of us fall short.
Perhaps this message from Dr. Charles Phelps will help us remember and make the application necessary. It is one of the better messages I have ever heard on the subject and I felt compelled to pass it along as I had the opportunity.
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Download Seeing Separation Scripturally
The title of a book I have never read prompted some thinking and study of God’s word that ultimately led to the outline of this message. God called upon Moses to “do hard things” for His name’s sake, and thanks to his obedience we have a wonderful example today. This message from Exodus chapter 3 was presented at our church in Fairbanks several months ago.
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Download Do Hard Things
I had the privilege of preaching for the 2008 Teen Winter Retreat at McGrath Road Baptist Church. Our focus was Proverbs 7:6-27 in this difficult and important message titled “Many Strong Men Have Been Slain”. It will take almost an hour of your time to listen, but the subject matter is invaluable for young and old. If you endure to the end, please let me know your thoughts.
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Download Many Strong Men Have Been Slain
I was able to preach a Christmas-themed sermon at our church this evening. As this blog had been sitting almost dormant and I felt the content of the message timely and worthwhile, I determined to post it. If you have 35 minutes to devote, you may open your Bible to Luke chapter 1. Play or download below.
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Download The Christmas Contrast
A particular passage of scripture is examined around our house more than any other these days; Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” With three children under the age of three, we find ourselves quoting/teaching it nearly every day of the week. During a recent family devotion time we captured the following audio. Click play or download below to hear how well-acquainted our girls are with this topic.
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Download Obey Your Parents!
I had the privilege of listening to a fantastic sermon by Dr. Charles Phelps this afternoon. Dr. Phelps pastored in New England for many years, and is currently the President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. This message examines our need for revival, and expresses confidence that revival can indeed come to our nation.
Tonight I am posting an experimental podcast. It is an “off the cuff” recording based upon a series of lessons God has been teaching me lately. While I had been thinking about posting such material for quite some time, I could never find an opportunity to get a clear, quiet recording in my very busy (and noisy) three-child home. It seems the only free moments in my day recently have been in the car; so I took my favorite portable recorder on an errand tonight and captured the audio below.
Here’s a rundown on the topics we discuss:
- Purpose of my trip. (00:00)
- The difficulty of raising children. (01:58)
- How God uses children to teach us things about Himself. (05:10)
- Dumpster diving. (06:48)
- Military ministry opportunities. (09:07)
- Contentment during small sacrifices. (11:15)
- Off the cuff broadcasting. (15:50)
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Download the Off the Cuff MP3
I don’t know if I will ever record a feature like this again – it was an experiment – but I found it just interesting enough to post online. It is extremely impromptu, very roughly recorded and edited (note the cars passing, turning signals, etc.), but it gives you a real-life Harper family update that is purely Alaskan; like us. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
One note of clarification on the content of the recording: at about 06:10 I say that “God doesn’t work”. I understand the theological problem with this assertion, and only meant that He doesn’t work “in the same manner” we work. More specifically; He is void of all the fatigue and frustration that often comes along with human work.
I was prompted to republish this message because of a series of comments I read relating to an article linked on the Religious Affections Ministries site. I didn’t even listen to the songs mentioned, I just saw the names, remembered their significance, thought of a story, and decided to tell it. This is a related sermon I gave numerous times around the country, and it’s one I listen to again on occasion to refresh my memory about how God has led our family. It is subtitled; My Christian Broadcasting Story. Please play or download What is Best? below.
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Download the What is Best? MP3
(This sermon was originally published in the Spring of 2006.)
Suggestions | Chris | 
January 6, 2010 12:21 am | 
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