TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 17:1-10
TO CHEW ON: “They (Jehoshaphat’s officials, Levites and priests) taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.” 2 Chronicles 17:9
How did you learn: to read, to do math, to play an instrument, science, nature and history?
Cross out the one thing below that didn’t help:
1. By listening to teachers explain.
2. By practicing what you learned.
3. By someone telling you to learn these things.
4. By watching DVDs.
5. By memorizing and preparing for tests.
6. By reading.
There are many things we can do to help us learn things. But simply having someone else tell us to do it (#3 above), isn’t enough.
King Jehoshaphat knew that. When he became king after his father King Asa died, he was careful to do everything he could to obey God. But he knew that for God to bless his nation, the citizens needed to follow God too. So he did more than simply tell them to follow God. He taught them God’s law and showed them how to obey it.
He sent teachers to the towns and villages with copies of the Law. It wasn’t written in books but on scrolls of animal skins. These teachers read the law to the people because most common people couldn’t read. They helped them memorize parts of it so it was in their minds and hearts. They taught them to sing the praise songs and prayers and told them about the sacrifices and feasts God wanted them to celebrate.
This was a wise thing for Jehoshaphat to do. And God honored his efforts with a time of peace.
Today we discover what pleases God when we read and study the Bible. Most of us have learned to read as kids so we can read it for ourselves. In many countries we are free to go to church, Sunday School and Bible club. Let’s take advantage of all the ways we can learn about God.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the Bible and the people who teach me about You. Amen.
SUPERSIZE IT: God-school
- What are some ways people in our time learn about God and Jesus?
- Who taught you about God and Jesus?
- What is your favorite way of learning?
- Find out (on the internet, from books or magazines) about countries where it is illegal to have a Bible and to meet for church services. How do these people learn about God and Jesus?
The Voice of the Martyrs is one web site that tells about persecuted Christians.
Prisoner alert tells the story of some people who are in prison right now for their faith in God.