I went to bible school so to speak for years up to 12th grade, I still have all the pins somewhere. It was an additional hour before the church service every Sunday. At no time did anyone actually explain the New Testament. Nobody said, okay these books describe Jesus’ time on this Earth and these others describe Paul’s efforts to support and steer the new churches to the right path. If someone had properly explained that I would have paid more attention.
-SB
Wow! What a story! While I did not have your experience, I did not fully understand The Gospel until I was in my early 40s. I worked with three Christian men who mentored me for a couple of years and helped to open my eyes. We talked about Biblical topics nearly every day during lunch. One was a semi-retired Pastor. One day, during February of 2001, I walked into his office and said, “I’m ready!” He didn’t ask me to clarify, he knew exactly what I meant. That day, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Bible study has been a part of my life since 1999 - about two years beforehand.
The biggest “revelation” was that I was arrogantly prideful in my “goodness.” I was a good person, a good father, a good friend, and a good Christian. In reality, I was on the fast track to Hell. I had a knowledge of the Bible but not an understanding. One of the most impactful passages was Ephesians 2:8-9 which explains that our Salvation results from what Jesus did with his perfectly sinless life and offer to die in MY SINS - 100% and all my “goodness” meant nothing - NOTHING! This is one of my go to passages when I talk with others. I was in the most dangerous positions a person could be - thinking I was saved because of my goodness. People frequently say, “I’m a good person.”
The heart is desperately wicked. Jeremiah 17:9
No one is righteous, no not one. Romans 3:10-12
God treats our self-attempts at righteousness as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 Actually, this is a cleaned up translation. The actual Hebrew means Menstrual Rags!!! That’s what God thinks of our “Goodness”
Fortunately, there are resources available to assist us. I listen to Christian radio nearly all the time while I’m in the car. J Vernon McGee, David Jeremiah, Alistair Begg, Philip DeCourcey, John MacArthur, Rabbi Kurt Schneider, Tony Evans, Mike Fabarez, Erwin Lutzer, Robert Jeffries and locally in Columbus, Ohio, Jim Custer. These are the Pastors I listen to. Probably 10 hours a week is typical. I learn so much from them. I’m not saying others need to do the same to be a Christian, I do it out of interest and enjoyment and not from any obligation.
Intense teachers are available online like Chuck Missler, Michael Heiser, Billy Crone. SkyWatchTV.com is also a good resource.
Sorry I threw so much at you. I sincerely pray that this can assist you and others. God Bless :)
bible school
Same for me Snowybear, they didn’t even teach me the proper meaning of the Trinity. For ages into my young adult years I thought Jesus was “only” the son of God and not God incarnate.
For the life of me I can’t figure out why they wouldn’t discuss that with kids.