“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.” (I Corinthians 13:11a The Living Bible)
As a child, sitting in the far pews with my peers, we made good use of the blank page, the back page, of the church bulletin during church service. We had been to Sunday School and gave our undivided attention to the teacher, but being honest, we were not always attentive during the preaching of the word. Oh, how much we missed out on!
On that back page of the bulletin, instead of taking notes from the sermon, instead of noting one point that would be profitable to us, instead of writing down questions for our elders on theological things that we were too young to understand like they assumingly did, we silently sit in the sanctuary, playing a game in the pews. located so far back in the church that we were closes to the exit, and situated where our behavior usually became undetected.
Occasionally, we were caught playing the game, and told to stop by one of the highly respected Deacons who did double duty as a church usher. Yes, he took his usher badge seriously, as he was on the same par as the police office of the year. If we were caught playing, he performed his duty. He did what he was supposed to do in his duo role. He pointed us back in the direction that led to the pulpit where we could benefit from edification and education from the word spoken by our erudite pastor. As a side note, we learned eventually to appreciate the preaching of sent messages, and thank God, we changed our ways. Another side not: “Eventually,” just as it does now, that word had a different meaning for each one of us gamers. Some are still waiting for “eventually” to show up.
Still another side note: This is not intended to give kids in this modern day era and excuse to be engrossed in their electronic games, as opposed to engaging their minds to benefit from preaching by developing the skill of being one who fits this category, “He who has ears, let him listen.”
However, being transparent, I’ll admit that unfortunately, long before the kids who play nowadays with their parent’s cellphones or colored, state of the art, electronic tablets in our times, and long before children’s church was introduced in times past, and long before the still popular “Connect Four” game was invented, we played “Connect the Dots.” To start the game we made multiple rows of dots on the back of the bulletin. They formed a huge square. Taking turns, each player would get to draw a line connecting one dot to the other. The object was to strategically get to the point where we would connect the last dots in an area to form a square. This allowed you to place your first initial in the outlined box. The game continue, and after no more boxes or squares could be formed, the player with the most boxes with their initial written inside them won the game.
I share all this, a true confession, not to de-emphasize the need to learn from the word of God, but actually, give you a game to play today. Say, “O, goody!” For this game is better than “Connect the Dots,” for you will be connecting a progressive approach to living as a Christian ought. Look I know you are saying, “You just gave us a recipe! You just had us singing a song yesterday and composing our own words! Now, look at you, giving us something else to do!”
I won’t deny it, but it will benefit you. It will give you a chance to play a new version of “Connect the Dots,” a far more beneficial version. This is what I want you to do. Make four dots on a piece of paper, in the form of a large square. Using your Bible, the one not still in your car or your church bag, but can be found where you read it daily, refer to the verses I provide you with and connect the dots by writing a verse over each dot, starting with the first dot on the left and moving to the right, and then going to the bottom dot on the left before going to the last dot. Where do you place the verses? Follow the sequence that you think the verses below should be arranged! When you finish put your initial or write your whole first name in the middle of the square, indicating that you are a winner. A winner? Yes, a winner, because you are going to apply what you learn and go about your winning ways as a child of God. Remember to do is to learn!
Here are the verses from which you can choose! Place them in the right order now! The verses: Psalm 119:33, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 119:105, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Have fun playing, but in the final analysis, benefit from playing. Another note: This is not a childhood game. May your Wednesday activity, in a week where many churches do not have Bible Study because of holiday travel and holiday events, and seasonal hustle and bustle activities, now be filled with some quick Bible Study! Smile, because I just know you are always in the word anyway! This is just an added step to one days study. Am I right? May God shine on you today my friend! Be blessed!
“You are my God teach me to do your will. Be good to me and guide me on a safe path.” (Psalm 143:10 The Good News Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King