Guided Tour of Bible

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Symbol: Guided Tour

Lesson: Learn more with someone who knows

Illustration: Over the years, I have visited both forests and museums that offered guided tours. Alternately, if I wanted, I was welcome to just stroll around. Sometimes the tour option cost money, but other times it was just as free as going it alone. I usually opt to go alone because I don’t like crowds and even more so, I can’t stand feeling like a tourist—even though I am one! I would always tell myself, “There are markers and sign posts that I can read if I want.”

As I walked along, every so often I crossed paths with the tour group and I would overhear the knowledgeable tour guide telling things I hadn’t noticed and tidbits not mentioned on the sign post markers. I began to realize I was missing some very interesting points by insisting on being alone. Then I would begin to hang out on the fringes of the tour group, too embarrassed to get close because I had already turned down the invitation. Sometimes, I would go back and sign up for the next tour.

This is actually very applicable to studying the Bible. While reading it on our own is a good habit to develop, acquiring an accurate and correct understanding of it is best done with a guided tour. The offer made by Jehovah’s Witnesses is a free guided tour. The reason ours is free is not because we don’t value what we do, but rather because Jesus said “you received free, give free.” I don’t know if other religious groups charge for that service.

Notes: Over the decades, I’ve met some very kind-hearted people who, in response to my offer to conduct a free Bible study-course with them, have said they’d rather study on their own. I’m always happy to hear that they have such determination but I know first-hand how challenging that effort can be.
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Riding A Bike

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Symbol: Learning to ride a bike.

Lesson: Don’t give up. Experience & confidence come from repeatedly trying.

Illustration: Learning to ride bicycle is one of those youthful experiences that people recount with horror and with laughter. Even initially with training wheels, it can be unnerving. Scrapes and bruises are pretty much bound to happen. But most everyone I’ve ever met, eventually conquers their fears, learns to balance and steer and becomes so good at it, they can even ride declaring, “Look ma! No hands.”

The same goes with learning to express ourselves, especially about potentially volatile subject such as the Bible. We may feel a great deal of apprehension for fear of not knowing what to say, saying the wrong thing, or being humiliated. But if we don’t “take the bull by the horns” and make repeated attempts, we will never gain the confidence to declare our faith easily. Instead of worrying that we may “fall” in our efforts, just accept that we WILL fall--and tell ourselves to get back up and try again. It is part of learning. As time progresses and you gain more experience and confidence, you will remember and learn new ways to speak with those you are sincerely trying to aid.

Notes: (n/a)

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