The truth is that literature, curriculum, and Bible Study guides are all produced with the very positive goal of helping churches and believers study the Bible; and to do so more easily and consistently than one might do without such a resource.

While all manner of seemingly positive implications might be observed from this decades-long behavior, there are some implications that are not as positive.

Imagine with me for a moment, if your local Fire Department was likewise engaged in receiving fire-fighting resources to ‘equip’ them to fight fires. And while we’re imagining, let’s imagine that this week’s resource drop includes a ladder.

Ladders are basic tools for Fire fighters to use. Every Fire Station in the world likely has a good supply of them. But if these ladders were delivered the curriculum way, here’s what might happen.

Every fire department would have received the same ladder. Exactly the same ladder. The same height, the same material, the same capability. One positive implication from this is that when fire fighters moved from station to station, they would already be familiar with the ladders that were being used. No surprises could have a positive impact on the ability to fight fires.

The design of that ladder would be geared toward the lowest common denominator – the ladder developers would want to make sure that everyone could use the ladder that they chose to deliver, from the novice to the seasoned fire fighter. So, the size of the smallest truck in use would be a determining factor in the size of the ladders that were designed and delivered. And while it is a positive thing that everyone can use the ladder, it is not as positive to consider those locations that have higher and deeper fire-fighting needs and abilities are hampered by the resources that have been delivered.

Every fire department would receive its resources at the same time. Sure, there may be some standing around waiting for the next resource to drop, but certainly there wouldn’t be a fire that would need that particular resource until it is dropped, would there?

Just imagine if the Fire Departments in Indianapolis received the same equipment as the 6-person Fire Department in Pleasantville-Jefferson Township in Sullivan County, Indiana. The exact same equipment. Received the exact same way. And to go further with the analogy, what if all those firefighters – Indianapolis and Sullivan County – believed that the resources that had been delivered and the mechanism in which they were delivered created the best way to fight fires? It never occurred to them that there may be another way to get what they need to fight the fires that they face.

The Fire Supply Warehouse

What if there was another way? What if, instead of waiting for Re-Sources to drop, firefighters could be trained to explore and navigate the Source – the largest Fire Supply Warehouse in the world? And that warehouse, coincidentally, is right next to every firefighter in the world.

In that warehouse there is a manifold and unending supply of material and resources that can be discovered and implemented, allowing fire fighters of every rank to develop experience and skills, at any time, far beyond what is possible with the traditional approach of “least common denominator” and “timely delivery”. They will be able to grow and develop as the need and opportunities arise, rather than trying to find growth opportunities in what has been delivered.

A year or so ago, I began leading a senior adult Bible study group in our church. I lead every other month, as they have another leader that is available for the alternating months. These men and women have decades of faithful ministry and service to the Lord, individually and as a group. I continue to learn of the events of their lives – pain, loss, joy, gain, illness, grief, victory, and peace. They have a lifetime of experiential knowledge of God’s work in their lives.

The first lesson I was to teach, out of an established and internationally know curriculum, had this as the learning outcome for this group of seniors. ‘After this lesson, the participants will know that God is able.”

They already knew that. These people had already spiritually arrived in ‘Indianapolis’, the fires in their lives burning so much taller than Sullivan County, but the lesson was a 6-foot, least common denominator ‘Sullivan County’ type of ladder.

They use the curriculum because they have learned that this tradition is the best way. No one has challenged them or shown them how to discover the massive and manifold resources that are available to them in the warehouse that they already possess, likely resting on their coffee tables or nightstands

Don’t you want more than that for your people? If you want more with your people, more for your people, and more joyful, kingdom service from your people, let Solomon’s Quest show you how to get into that warehouse and discover, in a manifold way, what is there to grow with your people as they grow in wisdom and knowledge of God, His purpose, and His plan.

It will only take 15 minutes for you to decide if this is something worth more of your time. Reach out for your call today!

eli.bernard@soloomonsquest.org