Scripture Reading:
Daniel 1:3-4, 17-21
Daniel 1:3-4
[3]And the [Babylonian] king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring in some of the children of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility
[4]Youths without blemish, well-favored in appearance and skillful in all wisdom, discernment, and understanding, apt in learning knowledge, competent to stand and serve in the king's palace–and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
[17]As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all [kinds of] visions and dreams.
[18]Now at the end of the time which the king had set for bringing [all the young men in], the chief of the eunuchs brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
[21]And Daniel continued there even to the first year of King Cyrus [at the close of the seventy years' exile of Judah in Babylonia, which Jeremiah had foretold].
Main Text
Jeremiah 3:15
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Most churches exist in places with high illiteracy rates and yet they are not involved in educational efforts. Some churches even see education as a worldly thing they should not concern themselves with. However, a church which seeks to be relevant must make efforts to eradicate Illiteracy, even in the Church. Ignorance is not a mark of spirituality.
Jesus Christ proved with His life that education was essential to the Kingdom of God by growing in wisdom. He was so learned that He could argue with doctors and lawyers of the law at the age of twelve (Luke 2:46-47). We should seek knowledge in secular things and exceed the unbelievers in the understanding of science, mathematics, economics and other fields. Daniel is one of the most spiritual people in the Bible but he was learned in science (Daniel 1:3-7).
Knowledge is a powerful tool in extending God’s Kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. The world listens to us when we are knowledgeable. Knowledge
helps us to understand the Bible better. In other words, ignorance has a negative effect on our spiritual lives. Let's get ourselves educated.
Prayer:
- Pray for the Church that we will have educated people who are spiritual.
- Pray also for your church that it will have the resources and capacity to eradicate illiteracy from the society.