- Lesson 12 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom” focuses on 2 Chronicles 9:1-12.
The queen of Sheba was impressed with many things on her visit to Solomon. Scripture tells us she admired Solomon’s Temple, the food of his table, his court and its officials, and even their clothing. But it was Solomon’s answers to her hard questions that made the greatest impression.
The queen said of Solomon: “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom. … Happy are [those] who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom” (9:5, 7). To what wisdom was she referring? Was she seeking economic advice? Were her queries political in nature? Did she want to know how to lead armies or expand her own kingdom? I do not think so. From the praises she gave as she lifted the name of the Lord—most likely for the first time in her life—we can conclude it was Solomon’s spiritual wisdom that mattered most to her.
How do we answer?
The same is still true in our day. Perhaps now more than ever before, with times so confusing and the future less certain, people need to hear from the church, and from its individual Christian members. We must be prepared to answer the difficult questions of our day. I am thinking about basic salvation questions like these: Is Jesus the only way to heaven? Was Jesus sinless? Why do Christians believe in Jesus’ sacrifice for sins on the cross? Why is the resurrection important? Every Christian church member must always be ready to answer important questions like these.
We must be prepared to answer the culture’s expressed objections to Christianity, as well. When the culture says, “All religions are equal and nothing about Christianity sets it apart,” how do you respond? The culture says: “A good, loving God would never allow anyone to go to hell. That’s an outdated idea.” What is your answer? The culture says: “The Bible is not the word of God. It’s just an ancient religious book like any other.” What do you say to that? And, of course, we could go on and on.
Study the Bible with others
In the 21st century, we must know what we believe and why we believe it and be able to express that belief clearly to a skeptical and cynical world. We must also have a solid, working knowledge of God’s word, the Bible.
Small-group Bible study is one of the most important things any of us can do to prepare ourselves to answer life’s hard questions. I would certainly say all of the most important relationships of my life—those relationships that have filled my heart with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—all have taken root in my heart, and grown to fruition around the study of God’s word.
When we gather with like-minded and passionate persons who want to know the Lord and God’s word deeply, the Holy Spirit moves in powerful ways. God visits us by his Holy Spirit, and through his authoritative and miracle-generating Scripture. The result? Lives are changed for the better in this life, and for eternity in the next. I strongly encourage you to continue your commitment to small-group Bible study.
Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.
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