Did you notice how many times the questions were about “you”?
“You” or “your” was used an eye-popping 26 times! Â All I saw was a sea of yellow when I highlighted the words!
The preponderance of the word “you” in this lesson didn’t sit well with me. Â It just didn’t. Because it is about God and not about what I think. Â It just reminded me of today’s society and how people are so concerned about “me”, “myself”, and “I”.
It’s like when parents ask their kids: Â “Jimmy, do you want to go to the grocery store now or later?” Â Jimmy doesn’t have a choice. Â If you need groceries, you go. Â Not when Jimmy says so. Â Yes, this is a real live example of one parent I know who does this.
If your mom or dad says “go”, you go.  If God says “go”, you go.  Like Abram did.  You don’t have a choice.
Yes, it matters to God what I think but my thoughts are molded by the Truth not by  “what do I think” opinions.
I want to know what is significant, not what I think is significant (for who am I?).  I want to know what is interesting not what I think is interesting (for who am I?).  I want to know the signs I am in Christ  for how do you know if you don’t know?
Yes, I am significant to God but when I read the Bible, I and who I am doesn’t matter. Â It’s God and who He is.
Sure, you could argue, “Well, that’s just someone else’s opinion on what is significant and interesting.” Â You know, the dreaded “commentaries.”
True, but hopefully these people are much more well versed in the Bible than I am and know through years of study. Â I need to be led (like a pastor shepherds his flock as Jesus did). Â Only then can I understand and then think how it applies to me. Â I come for knowledge and others’ “opinions” so then I can form my own.
Lessons like these drive me nuts. Â I call them “filler” lessons because I see them as primarily a way to extend the Bible Study. Â Let’s just dive into God’s word about Abram and God instead of piddle-paddling around about it.
To me, this lesson was personal reflection and review.
Fine. Â Now let’s move on to Abram.
Amen Sister
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I haven’t begun Lesson 10, but I also do not appreciate so many “you” questions. Frequently, these are too personal for me and most of the time I don’t answer them or share my answers with others. I’m here to learn about God’s Word, not listen to the personal ramblings of some member of the discussion group. From experience, there seems to be one or two in every group who dominate the discussion and monopolize the time. The preponderance of “you” in the lessons do not sit well with me either. Vee Miller
Right on, Atozmom! I have been disturbed by the use of “you” as well. There are far too many personal questions. I too, want to learn all I can about God, not about what I think. Perhaps the writers of this year’s study questions will get the idea soon. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. You are awesome, and we who read your blog daily, come to realize this day after day.
God Bless, and keep on enlightening us with your heartfealt and thought-provoking words.
Atozmom, I think you have a good head on your shoulders. Practical and intelligent, able to see things. I feel the “you” or “yours” is used too often and is a sad indication of the current conditions in the United States.
I agree with you. I have difficulty with all of the “personal” questions I don’t see how they teach me about the Bible.
GREETINGS: I DO understand your feelings. However, I think the idea is for us to not only KNOW but to APPLY GOD’S WORD to our lives. We must internalize the Word so that the Holy Spirit changes our outlook, our thoughts, and our behavior. We have to study, think through these wonderful Words, and begin to practice them in our every day lives. We can learn to be examples to others and share with others as we learn to WALK WITH GOD, as Enoch did. What a blessing it is to let the world see JESUS in us; exhibiting our trust, our faith, our well-thought out Biblical behavior. We can only do that by actually working through the WORD, THINKING through the WORD, really digesting the WORD SO THAT IT IS PART OF US, NOT just learning the facts, but utilizing AND applying them constantly through the counsel of the Holy Spirit. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO HIS WORD. Your Fellow BSF Learner
Look at how many times the word “I” has been used in all the comments below. We enjoy asserting our own thoughts don’t we? However, we are blessed because God is a personal God. He desires us to have relationship with him and share our thoughts with Him in prayer. If we come to bible study and have no personal change in ourselves we have missed a key aspect of knowing our Creator. By sharing our own personal growth in our groups we encourage others and spur on the mighty word of God by being a living testimony. How will your answers in your lessons this week be a living testimony to God and further His kingdom rather than your own?
Paula,
I think you missed how many times the word “I” was preceded by NOT, which negates the I, making it not about me.
Yes, we all enjoy asserting our own thoughts. My point was in Bible Study I believe is it more about God and not about “I” or “me”.
What does God think? NOT me? What is God saying? NOT what do I believe He is saying?
I think you missed the point of my “thoughts”.
My children were sick with the flu this past week and I’m just getting to this Lesson 10. Do you know where I can get these notes? I would love to see what you all are talking about AND especially to try to see what the Bible is trying to convey. Thanks!
You’d have to contact BSF International. http://www.bsfinternational.org
Thank you!!!