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Bible Study: It’s Never Too Soon to…

One Saturday morning, Nate and his father, Michael, were sitting at the kitchen table sorting out Nate’s pocket money. In front of him were five plastic pots: #1 was for his tithe; #2 was for investments; #3 was for savings for presents for others; #4 was for savings for things for Nate; and #5 was for Nate’s spending money.

Before the divvying up process commenced, Nate announced that he wanted to change the order of pots #3 and #4.

His father, a wise and patient man, asked him why he would want to do that.

Nate responded thoughtfully but simply, ‘Because it says in the Bible that we should look after ourselves before we look after others.’

(At the time of this interesting piece of exegesis, Nate was six years old!)

Nate’s mother, Katy, hearing this, wondered where this idea had come from. Then she remembered that they had recently had a family discussion about ‘first removing the plank from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye’ (Matthew 7:5).

Yes, Nate confirmed, that was where his idea had come from. An on the spot, unprepared Bible Study took place as his parents took the time to explain to Nate what Jesus had meant by this saying. When Nate understood, he was happy to leave the pots in the original order.

I find this story quite fascinating. It is certainly true of Nate that, like Timothy, ‘was being taught the Scriptures from childhood’ (2 Timothy 3:15).

That Bible Study had been undertaken in a number of ways – ways that in our Western pigeonhole mindsets, we often don’t consider to be Bible Study.

For example, Nate had been read Bible stories from picture books and simplified Bibles at home by parents and grandparents on a regular basis. At Church and Sunday School this ‘home schooling’ had been endorsed, emphasised and extended. Nate was also taught to memorise Scripture verses. At various seasons of the Christian year Michael and Katy had made sure that Nate understood the real significance of those times. And they also ensured that Nate began to understand the meaning behind the commandments, the parables, the miracles and other events recorded in the Bible. He had also been given a number of basic Bible Study helps – like simple Bible dictionaries.

And, as he reads his Bible daily (from the age of 7-8) he jots down in a notebook anything he doesn’t understand, so he can ask his parents or try to find out in some other way. That leads to many interesting discussions - and delvings! And, at an early age, Nate has come to realise that Bible Study isn’t merely a question of knowing stories or facts, but is also a matter of applying their teachings to everyday life. Bible Study has already begun to affect the way Nate thinks – and acts. No, Nate isn’t by any means perfect – he’s just an ordinary young lad who gets into scrapes, and does most of the ‘naughty’ things children of his age do. But he has begun to understand Biblical principles of right and wrong, of forgiveness and reconciliation, and who Jesus is and why He came. And in a very special way, Nate has come to love God’s Word. I know all this to be true – Nate is my grandson. Bible Study – it’s never too soon to … start!

Submitted by Rev. Keith Applegate