Have you ever given up on something you enjoy doing because other people did it better than you?
Playing drums is what I used to do all the time. Learning new techniques, rhythms, and abilities on the kit gives me a thrill. Nowadays, I don’t get to play as often due to higher priorities; however, I remember almost giving up drumming because there were drummers way better than me.
It’s in our nature to be competitive. No matter the subject, we are pretty good at turning things into competitions. Some are healthy; some are destructive. Most of the time it’s the latter.
When it comes to reading the Bible, it’s never supposed to be a competition.
Tragically, if we could be honest with ourselves, there’s a lot of good things we give up on in life because we’re not the best at it. Together, we should guard ourselves from having a competitive perspective that keeps us from doing what we enjoy.
In the church, if we aren’t a spiritual giant, we tend to put off spiritual things. We tell ourselves to not even try because others are more experienced — more gifted. This is a total bummer!
Parents often feel unworthy to lead their kids in spiritual things because of their past, but all parents are called to be spiritual leaders for their children. The church isn’t supposed to raise their kids, but equip the parents to lead.
Furthermore, each parent — though imperfect — can greatly minister to their kids far better than anyone else in the church. Leadership is not just about modeling perfect obedience to God; it’s also about modeling repentance after failing. This is what it truly means to be a leader.
One simple thing I would encourage willing parents to do is this — read the Bible with your family.
You don’t have to be a theologian. You don’t have to be good at it. You can trust the Spirit of God to work in mighty ways through the hearing of the Word. After all, that’s how faith comes (cf. Romans 10:17).
The best way to start is to start.
You’re not short on resources! You’ve got 66 books to choose from. Talk about a text mentioned during Sunday’s message. Look at our app’s Daily Reading Plan. Pick a random verse. Ask a friend. Start somewhere.
No one is looking to compete with you or do it better than you. The question is simply whether or not you’re going to try and rely upon God to save and sanctify through his Word.
You can read the Bible with your kids. And they want you to lead them in it. They may put up a front or act disinterested in reading with you, but I assure you, they want you to read with them.
If the only way to make this spiritual discipline happen in your home is by making a competition out of it, then start memorizing more verses than one another, or see who can read the most! However, be encouraged that no one is trying to beat you at it. The goal is faithfulness. Will you take a step today that you didn’t take yesterday?
Step up. Lead your family. Start reading the Bible together, and see what God does through it.