Churches teach bible theology but not how to apply it

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jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
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#1
Why do Churches do such a poor job of integrating theology into real life. Everday living.
In theory, you don't have a black belt in BJJ train with a white belt... there are levels to the game so they say. Same should apply to faith. A new born in Christ needs to be nurtured and taught differently that a PHD a theology from Biola, they need their own time slot a distinct message at Church.

Most churches have morning service and a late service. Maybe it should be broken up differently. Beginner, intermediate, advance.
Maybe new ideas need to be tossed around.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,932
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#3
Why do Churches do such a poor job of integrating theology into real life. Everday living.
In theory, you don't have a black belt in BJJ train with a white belt... there are levels to the game so they say. Same should apply to faith. A new born in Christ needs to be nurtured and taught differently that a PHD a theology from Biola, they need their own time slot a distinct message at Church.

Most churches have morning service and a late service. Maybe it should be broken up differently. Beginner, intermediate, advance.
Maybe new ideas need to be tossed around.

I think this is true. At least in my own life. It took a long time for me to understand and learn how a Christian is suppose to grow in Christ and become more like Him, being more obedient, and sinning less as you grow in Him. I actually learned from praying and begging God to help me because I never heard how in any of the churches I've been in. What I wanted is to hear the testimonies of people - leaders and congregants alike - of how they were able to overcome any habituals sins, how they grew to reflect Jesus, etc. - but I would only get testimonies of how they got saved at the beginning, never their journey to maturity after that.


🍨
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
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#5
I mean, I kinda get it in a sense that look they’ve gotta be able to pack a lot in and then one and a half hour service if 20 minute of that is devoted to praise and worship then the remaining time has to be a suitable message for the masses…

So basically, it’s a shotgun approach… any pastors, please chime in
 
Apr 24, 2021
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Scotland
#6
I've been a bit disappointed in church services where i was really hoping to learn a lot. Always hoped there'd be a good amount of teaching.
That's what Christ did, didn't He? Taught in the synagogues.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,718
596
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#7
My View

Not many Ministers ---and church elders and deacons ----are saved ----most theology that is taught in the Churches today is being taught by false prophets ----they themselves have no understanding of the Spiritual meaning of the Scripture -----Many are still teaching that as long as you serve your neighbour your saved -----Jesus is never in the picture -----they are still Preaching the law ------not Salvation by Grace through Faith -----

God says in James 3:1----many need to pay attention to this --I say ---

Amplified Bible
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].

Many are not called by God to enter the Ministry ---they call themselves into the ministry and Wrongly divide the Word of God ------ and are in for a shock when they pass on from this world ----

People need to be careful when choosing a church to attend ----they need to be familiar with scripture to know when to run from a Church that is teaching wrongly -----
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,214
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#9
I mean, I kinda get it in a sense that look they’ve gotta be able to pack a lot in and then one and a half hour service if 20 minute of that is devoted to praise and worship then the remaining time has to be a suitable message for the masses…

So basically, it’s a shotgun approach… any pastors, please chime in
The lessons about HOW to live and act do not come from the sermons directly but indirectly....they come from making friends within the congregation and doing life as a community. A new family of sorts. Where the life lessons are made in conjunction with others.

Even the Lord's Prayer is teaching this with the first word ""Our" Father, who art in Heaven" and the resulting thought is that even prayers are not supposed to be done alone.

Because in truth, most sermons are forgotten by the next day but a 20 minute meeting with friends is usually remembered for weeks afterwards. Sometimes years. And your friends always have a more profound influence on your behavior than any sermon ever has.
Trying to make friends in a coffee shop with strangers is very very difficult. However, usually at church, there are all kinds of people usually eager and willing to make new friends.

Despite the hype and focus on the sermons....it's the people who are the living stones. A Stone was once set up to show and mark where God performed some sort of miracle. But today the "stones" are alive and speaking for themselves.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
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#10
Some churches have many home groups, various Bible studies, numerous opportunities to be directly involved in church ministry, etc.

I belong to a fantastic church with a great pastor… but like you said, the focus is on Bible study.
I’m saying I want to have, “Life Study” but though the lens of a believer.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
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#11
The lessons about HOW to live and act do not come from the sermons directly but indirectly....they come from making friends within the congregation and doing life as a community. A new family of sorts. Where the life lessons are made in conjunction with others.

Even the Lord's Prayer is teaching this with the first word ""Our" Father, who art in Heaven" and the resulting thought is that even prayers are not supposed to be done alone.

Because in truth, most sermons are forgotten by the next day but a 20 minute meeting with friends is usually remembered for weeks afterwards. Sometimes years. And your friends always have a more profound influence on your behavior than any sermon ever has.
Trying to make friends in a coffee shop with strangers is very very difficult. However, usually at church, there are all kinds of people usually eager and willing to make new friends.

Despite the hype and focus on the sermons....it's the people who are the living stones. A Stone was once set up to show and mark where God performed some sort of miracle. But today the "stones" are alive and speaking for themselves.
yes, you get it , real talk.. not Bible flexing and throwing around verses.
 

Tall_Timbers

Well-known member
Mar 31, 2023
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Cheyenne WY
christiancommunityforum.com
#12
I belong to a fantastic church with a great pastor… but like you said, the focus is on Bible study.
I’m saying I want to have, “Life Study” but though the lens of a believer.
My post didn't indicate the focus was on Bible study, though I think that would be highly commendable. Small home groups can be good for what I think you're calling "Life Study" though I think Believers need to take a little responsibility for their own growth and development in Christ. If we rely too much on an organized church for what we need, I think we'll ultimately be disappointed.
 

Billyd

Senior Member
May 8, 2014
5,230
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#13
We have 2 worship services, a social service, and three Bible studies each week. We also have a weekly children's service. Worship services are led by our pastor. One of the Bible studies is also led by our pastor. All remaining services are tailored for each age group, and are led by lay leaders with many hours of experience teaching the material for their age group. We also have community wide social meetings. We are a typical SBC Baptist church.

As with most churches that I have visited, our 18 to 30 age group does not adequately serve that sector of our community population.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,675
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#14
I was raised on Watchman Nee, he covered many critical teachings and his "Normal Christian LIfe" and "Normal Christian church life" cover essential doctrines that all believers should apply. You can purchase the complete works of Watchman Nee online, but if you go to Christian book stores you will only get the sanitized teachings that they approve, usually "Sit, Walk, Stand".

I also went through the Witness Lee trainings -- he did an exegesis of the entire Bible, covering every book in both the New Testament and Old Testament. It was thorough and comprehensive, but like anyone else, no person is complete. Some teach the word, others are gifted evangelists, others are prayer warriors.

So then you want to be involved in a ministry with many genuine brothers and sisters who pray and preach the gospel as well as teach the word. I am in the Gideon's ministry.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
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#15
Here is the correct answer…THIS… chatGPT to the rescue again.


Churches can better focus on everyday living by emphasizing practical applications of biblical principles and equipping members to integrate their faith into their daily lives. Here are several actionable steps churches can take:

1. Teach Practical Christian Living

• Application-Based Sermons: Make sermons more focused on how biblical teachings can be applied in everyday scenarios such as work, family life, finances, and personal relationships.
• Workplace Faith: Offer teaching on how to live out faith in the workplace—addressing topics like ethics, integrity, handling conflict, and being a witness at work.
• Workshops on Life Skills: Host workshops that combine Christian values with practical life skills, such as managing finances biblically, parenting, and maintaining healthy relationships.

2. Promote Daily Spiritual Habits

• Encourage Regular Devotions: Provide congregation members with daily Bible reading plans or devotionals that they can follow. Encourage everyone to spend daily time in prayer and Scripture reading.
• Prayer Groups and Accountability: Organize small groups where members can check in with each other weekly on how they’re applying biblical principles in daily life and pray together for strength to continue.
• Tech Integration: Suggest Christian apps or resources that help keep the congregation in a rhythm of Bible study and prayer throughout the week.

3. Foster Community Engagement

• Service Opportunities: Create programs that encourage members to serve their community on a regular basis, aligning their faith with acts of kindness and service, which reflect Christian values in everyday situations.
• Local Outreach: Encourage members to live out their faith through local outreach programs, such as feeding the homeless, supporting foster families, or visiting the elderly. This allows them to embody Christ’s love beyond Sunday services.

4. Address Everyday Challenges

• Preach on Real-Life Issues: Speak openly about the struggles people face in everyday life—stress, mental health, balancing work and family, and personal growth. Offer biblical advice on how to manage these.
• Support for Life Stages: Provide ministry and teaching for different life stages (singleness, marriage, parenthood, aging) to help congregants understand what the Bible says about navigating these seasons.

5. Model Healthy Work-Life Balance

• Teach the Theology of Rest: Promote the concept of Sabbath and encourage the importance of rest, emphasizing that Christians should balance work, rest, and worship in their weekly rhythms.
• Work-Life Discipleship: Offer mentorship or programs where experienced Christians share how they have balanced career responsibilities with their faith.

6. Encourage Active Discipleship

• Mentorship Programs: Create mentorship structures where older, more experienced Christians can guide younger members through the challenges of integrating faith into daily routines like parenting, working, or relationships.
• Discipleship in Groups: Emphasize that discipleship is not just learning in church but taking faith into real-life situations. Groups could meet to discuss how members are living out their faith in family, work, and society.

7. Equip Members to Evangelize in Daily Life

• Everyday Evangelism: Teach practical evangelism that isn’t limited to formal missionary work but focuses on everyday conversations with friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
• Testimonies of Faith in Action: Encourage church members to share testimonies about how they are witnessing in their workplaces or neighborhoods, helping others see how faith is lived out daily.

8. Emphasize Personal Stewardship

• Stewardship of Resources: Teach how to steward money, time, and talents in ways that honor God. Encourage generous giving but also wise financial management and a biblical view of work.
• Time Management: Help congregants set goals for how they manage their time, ensuring they balance work, family, service, and personal spiritual growth.

9. Integrate Faith with Modern Tools

• Provide Practical Tools: Give members practical tools and resources to incorporate faith into their lives, like daily reminder apps, online devotionals, and scripture prompts that keep faith relevant throughout the day.
• Social Media Ministry: Use the church’s social media to offer encouragement and practical faith tips on how to integrate Christ into daily life.

By focusing more on these practical areas, churches can make faith a daily and active part of people’s lives, not just something experienced on Sundays.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
113
#16
Now imagine if churches taught the above instead of the typical sermons..
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,017
551
113
#17
Do not co-sign for people… do not take on debt… the more. I’m learning from in the Bible the more truth I’m learning and a lot of the stuff isn’t taught at church!
 

iserve

New member
Oct 20, 2024
9
5
3
#18
Do not co-sign for people… do not take on debt… the more. I’m learning from in the Bible the more truth I’m learning and a lot of the stuff isn’t taught at church!
the church's will reject like the Jews and Romans did....but this time Yeshua will fight back....the Lion will come, Amen 🙏