Welcome to our last online youth group lesson for September — how can it already be October? If you missed any of our previous online lessons from the past several months, check out the growing list here.
Kicking things off today with a song many from VBS will remember. It actually was derived from a popular Michael W. Smith song. Pay close attention to the lyrics of this VBS favorite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEvCwgOa2AY
Prayer needs continue on a variety of fronts. Sally Sheets has the final of a series of six treatments today (Wednesday) at Hershey Medical Center. Doctors will be rescanning her pancreatic cancer and determining the next steps. This is a pivotal time for the family members, so please keep them in prayer.
Trina Eia is home on hospice as her own fight with cancer continues. Throughout the storm, she has modeled incredible faith and reliance on God, and we know He can work miracles where human doctors find roadblocks. Our youth group had the chance tonight (Wednesday) to wrap a huge pile of presents for the Eia children as Annette Sprenkle and other in the family prepare an impromptu Christmas experience for the family later this week.
Our recent benefit yard sale was a success. We raised more than $1,500, but beyond that, we continue to pray that the time we shared with the community that visited will leave a lasting impression with the community.
A few of our youth have some special unspoken needs that we should all be blanketing in prayer. You don’t need names or situations — God knows them better than we ever will. Just please pray for our youth, their families and those we all come in contact with.
An introduction to today’s lesson comes from a TV news report from two years ago. Check this one out:
Funny, huh? The sketch artist’s rendition of the fugitive doesn’t do the criminal justice at all. Can you imagine being the sketch artist? You job is to sketch a face that accurately portrays the person at large. I wonder if this artist was proud of this drawing, or if he maybe had very little to go on? Obviously, there are lots of features he missed and we don’t know what things caused him to miss those elements.
It is sort of like the game “Googly Eyes” where someone basically plays Pictionary with glasses that distort vision, so what should be simple things to draw suddenly get lost in translation.
When it comes to the Bible, I wonder what God wonders about those who translate His Word into various versions that, over time, dilute the message, miss important features or taint God’s true intention in various places. From the original text accumulated over the course of history, there are now hundreds of different translations, from extremely literal options to the more bizarre — they recently released a Bible written mostly entirely in emojis.
What does God think of all this? We know there are numerous mentions in the bible about the danger of altering God’s Word. One of which can be found at Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV):
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
Another reference, which adds a lot more intensity to this, is from Revelation 22:18-19 (NIV):
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
With so many translations/versions of the Bible out there, how do we choose which one is best for us to read? Let’s start with an overview by Allen Parr on the subject:
The main translations of the Bible come in three different forms — word for word, thought-for-thought and paraphrase. Click on the chart below to give more detail on what each of those phrases mean and which versions fall into each category.
Considering all of this, many within our church tend to gravitate toward one of two translations … the King James/New King James and the New International Version. However, there have been some rumors that people connected with the NIV version may be looking to change that translation online in newer versions with aspects that leave out key components.
Ultimately, it is crucial to develop a mindset of discernment, and if you start questioning what you are reading in your version of the Bible, to check it with other versions that are closer to the word-for-word range of the spectrum. Ultimately, pray for God’s guidance in the Bible you select, and take the time to cross-reference the important verses and themes you come across.
Considering the topic today, it feels fitting to end with Ryan Stevenson’s song, “The Gospel;”
Starting Thursday, we are encouraging all our youth and their families to read through the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in October. The challenge is to read and discuss one chapter a day. We will review each Sunday morning during youth Sunday School at 9 a.m.
