Lessons Upon Reflection

As a young man Saturday mornings found me chauffeuring my grandfather to the local radio station.  Once there he would make his way to the broadcast room, throw his ever present hat on the table, open his well-worn Bible and wait in front of the microphone.  Then came his opening statement, “Thank you, Wayne.  We greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We welcome you to this discussion of the lesson tomorrow found in the book of….”

The scripture always came from the International Sunday School Lesson.  It was a uniform, 6-year plan for reading and studying the Bible used by many pastors throughout the United States including many in our local area.  Grandpa’s intention was to use this common worship plan and the radio broadcast as a way of mentoring other pastors who were using the same material.

Churches that use a cycle of Scripture for reading and preaching actually do offer some distinct advantages over churches that adhere to an independent unscripted approach.  It allows for a consistent and thorough overview of Scripture that accentuates the whole counsel of God and avoids pet doctrines and concerns.  It also gives a unifying connectedness with fellow believers throughout the world and gives a historical rootedness with previous generations.  We are unlikely to find this same stability in churches that are purposefully faddish in their services and church life.

Sunday mornings found me again chauffeuring grandpa, this time to Bluffton, Liberty and Wolf Creek – the three country churches he pastored.  And again the International Lesson was the focus as Grandpa stood at his small lectern on floor level and taught.  The order of service always included a responsive reading.  This worshipful work of the people gave opportunity for a community response to the sacredness of God.  Everyone engaged, all participated, we were all one on an equal playing field. 

I did not think much about these things at the time, but as I reflect upon them now I can see they have been powerful in forming my identity in understanding myself, the worshiping community and our response to the Lord Jesus.  It’s a good reminder as we move into the season leading up to Resurrection Day.    

(Top: Side view of Liberty Church which was originally a two room school.  Side: I was a little young for driving here but that is my grandpa and I.)