“Educated Beyond Our Obedience”

I love that phrase.  A friend used it recently in a blog post about the ways he’s growing accustomed to “doing church” in a brand new way.  To paraphrase him, he wants to make sure that his and his family’s study is not aimed at only expanding their biblical education — not moving beyond a particular teaching until there is a plan and commitment to convert the teaching into obedience.

Reading about his experiences coincides with something I’ve been thinking about lately.

Every week we expect a preacher to deliver a multi-point sermon, we have Bible classes covering various topics or passages and then many people attend a small group that discusses another topic entirely.

Sermons, classes and groups may camp out for a while on a single theme by way of a series, but even then, by and large, week in and week out we’re hearing new material on several fronts.

Questions that come to mind:

• Is the volume of teaching hindering members from focusing long enough to plan for and practice obedience?
• What structures are in place that help members convert biblical teaching to obedience?
• Do we think we should have such structures, or should members be expected to do this on their own?
• Are we afraid focusing on one teaching for an extended period will be boring or beat a dead horse for some folks?  Is that justified?
• What is the church leadership’s role in this question?
• What is the membership’s role in this question?

Are we educating beyond our obedience?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.