The headline was shocking. “More than 5,000 Mississippi third-graders could be held back this year for low reading scores” (Skinner). There is nothing trivial about this problem. Virtually everything we do in life requires the skill of reading.
The church may well be facing a reading problem of its own. Teachers urging students to turn to a particular book, chapter and verse are far too often met with blank stares. This is sad when one considers that even some four-year-olds can memorize the books of the Bible. The problem is not in a general lack of ability. Young people and adults easily learn the vital statistics for each player on their favorite teams, full recipes for dishes and intricate shortcuts for reaching that special fishing hole or getting to another level in their favorite game. The real causes must be found elsewhere.
True growth in knowledge of the Bible begins at home. Paul commanded, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV). The word translated “and” at the beginning of this verse “suggests that both children and fathers have God-given responsibilities in the relationship” (Lockhart 308). Children are to obey and honor, while fathers are responsible for training. Timothy’s grandmother and mother must have felt this was a similarly important task for mothers (2 Timothy 1:5).
Teaching at home needs to be subsidized by solid Bible classes. The spread of the church to Antioch led the Jerusalem church to send Barnabas to them. “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:19-23). There is great potential strength to be found in an alliance of parents and Christian Bible class teachers. This alliance can pay eternal dividends!
Works Cited
Lockhart, Jay and David Roper. Truth for Today Commentaries: Ephesians and Philippians. Searcy: Resource Publications, 2009.
Skinner, Kayleigh. “More than 5,000 Mississippi Third-Graders Could Be Held Back This Year for Low Reading Scores.” The Hechinger Report. May 7, 2015. <https://hechingerreport.org/more-than-5000-mississippi-third-graders-could-be-held-back-this-year-for-low-reading-scores/>.
