Tuesday August 27, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-14

Anthropologists (scientists who study the humans) like to place us into different groups. Obviously different scientists have different groups. One way of grouping people is to distinguish people as modern, post modern etc.

 

The modernists are characterised by their desire for knowledge through education. They believe that many, if not all, of the world’s problems can be solved by education. Poverty, drugs abuse, family breakdown etc can all be solved through education. While there is some truth to this statement, it is not entirely true. Education can only take people so far. Picture the theoretical situation. A poor man with a history of theft, accused and charged for stealing to feed his family, is educated and given a job in a factory. Even though he now has an income, it would not be stretching the imagination to picture him stealing from the factory to help his family get that little bit further ahead. Education hasn’t fixed the fundamental problem. A drug addict may be taught the dangers and negative physical, social, emotional, and psychological side affects of drug abuse but he may well leave the lecture and shoot up again! The real issue hasn’t been resolved.

 

A study commissioned by one time premier of NSW Neville Wran found that the more heinous crimes were committed by the more educated and wealthy members of society! Education, though extraordinarily helpful, cannot solve the fundamental problem of humanity - sin. There is a little bit of Hitler and Mother Teresa in all of us. Education can’t remove our natural sin bias. This real problem can be solved only by entering into a saving relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Hence the Teacher, who searched and explored through his wisdom everything that is done under heaven, can conclude that God has placed a heavy burden on mankind.

 

“Knowledge” is not the answer to our fundamental problem. Knowledge cannot free us. Knowledge cannot provide us with answers to the fundamental questions of life. Knowledge cannot save us! Knowledge cannot fix our world.

 

Only a saving relationship with Christ Jesus can fix the problems of humanity.

 

 

 

Prayer:

Write down from your heart at least one prayer point for each category based on the following verse

The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom,

And humility comes before honour.

Proverbs 15:33.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray that God would grow our young parents in wisdom and knowledge of Himself so that they can raise their children in the love and fear of the Lord. Pray that God would bind these families together in Christ.

¥ Pray that the work of Shiloh Ministries in India would continue to serve the orphans, widows and poor people. Ask God to meet all their needs so that they are able to continue serving and reaching out with the Gospel.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What is the difference between the kind of knowledge Jack sprouts and the biblical concept of knowledge?

2. Someone else says to Jack that he needs to forget the head and just go with the heart. How do you respond to this kind of advice?

3. Why is growing in knowledge of God important?