Yet a Few More Seed Planting Examples (16)

Digging Up the Past and Finding Jesus

You’ve probably at least heard some news every now and then about an artifact being found that supports a section of the Bible. The Shroud of Turin; the ossuary of James, the brother of Jesus, and the inscription on the side, which reads “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus;” Noah’s Ark; the real Mt. Sinai – all of this and more has been discovered and discussed for their authenticity, plus a whole lot more. Biblical archeology is a field for many, experts and novices, which allows for some great conversations and debates as faith and science again mix together. The Biblical Archaeology Society publishes several magazines, including “Biblical Archaeology Review,” (http://www.bib-arch.org) for those who are fascinated with finding God through the past.

Some lighter reading on Biblical archaeology can be found in the books of Bruce Feiler, such as, “Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses,” and “Where God Was Born : A Journey by Land to the Roots of Religion.”

I dig this stuff.

Thoughts to Inspire and Ponder

“Serve God in the Miraculous and the Mundane.”

“We are called to fulfill the Great Commission and the Cultural Commission. If Christians don’t act to engage in culture soon there will be no culture left worth engaging.”

“If you can’t take people to God, take God to the people.”

“Worrying is simply praying to yourself.”

“Few things are as encouraging as the realization that things can be different and that we have a role in making them so.”

Educating Christians (and Non-Christians)

The “Bible Literary Project” (BLP) is an interesting idea. The Bible Literacy Project, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-profit endeavor to encourage and facilitate the academic study of the Bible in public schools. The basic idea is to offer a textbook in schools so that children can study the Bible as literature. Because the Bible is quoted or referenced in so much of the literature that children study in school such as “Hamlet,” “Great Expectations,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” the scholars behind this textbook feel that children should have a better understanding of the Bible – the characters, stories, historical information, style of writing, etc. They’ve created a textbook called, “The Bible and Its Influence,” and are working hard to put the book into high school literature and English classes. Their intention is not to present the book as a hidden form of witnessing, but simply to make kids aware of what is inside probably the most known book ever written.

I think it’s a great idea – making teenagers aware of the great literature captured within the Bible. And who knows where the Holy Spirit can take it from there? Read more about this project on: http://www.bibleliteracy.org.

Bibles, Bibles, and More Bibles

If you haven’t taken a look lately, there are all kinds of really great versions of the Bible that focus on different types of people, lifestyles, and study patterns. For example, there’s a “Policeman’s Bible,” an “Adventure Bible,” a “Super Heroes Bible,” and a “Chicken Soup for the Soul Bible.”

But wait, there’s more! Life Application Bibles, Read-the-Bible-in-a-year Bibles, children’s Bibles, Teen Bibles, you get the picture. Maybe there’s one for the person you are trying to witness to – make a nice Christmas gift, huh?

Gaming for Christians

I’ve seen some of the Christian video games out on the market and most wouldn’t hold the attention of a kid used to the Kabooey-POW-Kablam factor found on most of the popular X-Box and PlayStation games. But there’s at least one company out there (and I know there are more) called Crave Entertainment that has a few games worthy of holding the interest of the fast-food generation, and maybe planting a few seeds along the way.

Crave’s “The Bible Game” is an interactive adventure that combines action and quiz challenges for “players of all ages” though it really targets a bit more toward the younger ages. It has some good music by contemporary Christian artists and is a nice way to introduce kids to the Bible. Check it out on “thebible-game.com.”


Checklist & Summary

What you’ve just read is only a small sample, the tip of the iceberg as the saying goes, of seed planters out there using their talents and interests to reach people with the Gospel message. I hope this little sample has given you some ideas and inspiration. Now it’s your turn. The first thing to do is simply, do something first.

1) Keep it simple. Ask questions. Be available. Be aware of opportunities.

2) Put God first in your life, that is, in fulfilling your purpose in life. And what is it? (pop quiz again) – Tell others about the Good News of salvation in Christ.

3) Keep learning and growing as a seed planter. Read books. Talk to others. Go outside your comfort zone and see where God takes you. It’s bound to be exciting.

4) Be open to inspiration as you see how others are being seed planters.

5) Start today!