“Now I know my ABC’s,
Next time won’t you sing with me?”
Is there anything more basic than the alphabet? We begin singing this little song with our children very early so they actually do “know their ABC’s” (preferably before everyone else’s kids!).
But the ABC’s have come to mean more than just a set of 26 consonants and vowels. In fact, a quick Google search brings up a whole list of ABC’s:
- “The ABC’s of Financial Success”
- “The ABC’s of the Earthworm Business” (seriously!)
- “The ABC’s of Health and Nutrition”
- “The ABC’s for Expectant Dads”
- “The ABC’s of Yoga for Kids”
Somehow A, B, and C have become the poster-letters for anything basic or fundamental. And that’s good, because we all need to “know our ABC’s” – our fundamentals – in order to successfully navigate life.
This year I began coaching a couple of boys’ basketball teams at my kids’ school. I played in high school and college and have always loved the game, so I thought it would be great to get back into it and pass along the things I’ve picked up along the way.
But these last couple of weeks have reminded me again why I do what I do and why God made me the way he did. See, I’m coaching Elementary (4th-6th grade) and Jr. High (6th-8th grade) boys. Most of their basketball experience consists of watching it on TV or throwing the ball around at recess.
They thought practice would be all learning plays and scrimmaging. But as a coach I know that learning plays won’t do anything if the players can’t dribble, pass, set screens, shoot, etc. My job is to teach them the ABC’s of basketball so they can win games. That’s when it gets really fun!
My job as a pastor and Bible teacher is the same thing. Churches are full of people who want to do great things for God – they want to scrimmage and win tournaments. But the Christian life is more than just worship services and mission fields.
For some reason God has made me passionate about the ABC’s – the fundamentals – of the Christian faith. This is why I write books and blog posts. This is why I teach groups of people how to study the Bible for themselves. This is why we push a S.O.A.P. Bible reading plan at OTCC. This is why I believe that every Christian should go through a study of biblical theology – these are fundamental to living a successful Christian life!
What are you doing to learn and build on the ABC’s of Scripture? Have you been baptized (Matthew 28:19-20)? Do you memorize verses “so that you might not sin against God” (Psalm 119:11)? Do you carefully read and study the Scriptures so you can be “capable and equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
Have you learned your ABC’s? Are you ready to build on those and “progress beyond the elementary instructions” (Hebrews 6:1)? I’m ready and able to help you. It’s what God has made me to do.
“Now I know my ABC’s, Next time won’t you sing with me?”
