Scripture with the Saints
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” – Hebrews 13:7-9
The writer to the Hebrews encourages his listeners to remember their former Christian leaders who taught them the gospel and lived it out. We are urged elsewhere to honour our current spiritual guides (e.g. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13), but here it seems to be former pastors that are in mind. As John Calvin (1509-1564) said, “they who have begotten us in Christ ought to be to us in the place as it were of fathers”, especially if they persevered to the end. So we are to imitate the way of life of these fathers in the faith and consider the outcome of their lives.
One good thing about learning from those who spoke the word of God and guided the church in the past is that we need have no fear that they will suddenly turn out to be rogues. Every generation has those who at a certain point swerve from the truth and upset the faith of some (see 2 Timothy 2:16-18). But we can see what the outcome of our fathers’ way of life and teaching was, and how they served the same Saviour and Lord as we do today.
In an age which loves novelty, it is stabilising to consider the teaching and example of the saints who came before us. It can inoculate us against the strange teachings which vie for our attention in our own time, and help us to feed on more wholesome food. It can stir us up, correct us, rebuke us, and help us live out the unchanging gospel. This is not to commend superstitious devotion to the saints or romantic antiquarianism. Rather, it is to take seriously the charge to “remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”
That’s why in a new series of short books published by Church Society, we will be reflecting on the Bible together with trustworthy guides from church history who spoke the word of God. They will teach us, build us up in our ancient common faith, and bring the wisdom of the past into our daily lives. The word of God did not originate with us, and we are not the only ones it has reached! (1 Corinthians 14:36).
So I pray you will feel connected to your own spiritual family history as you sit down to study the scriptures with some of the best guides from our past. They may see things in God’s word which you had never noticed before. They may challenge you in ways you don’t expect. And all they want in return is for you to follow Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever – as they did.
Scripture with the Saints
Today, we’re launching Scripture with the Saints. We intend for this to be an expanding and growing series of new Bible study books that anyone can use to dig into the riches of scripture.
Each day, the books give you a passage of scripture itself to read, and some questions to think about after you have done so. You will need your Bible open! It is good to reflect on what you have read in the word first, before moving on to see what others have said about it. Only after that will we have some guidance to ponder from a historical teacher, such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Simeon, or Ryle for example. Their words are valuable only as they illuminate the unerring word of God itself and help us apply it to ourselves.
Following this, there will be some questions of application to think about. These will help you spend some time meditating on how you can apply the word of God to your own life, in the light of what you have learned.
Finally, it is good to turn all this into prayer back to God. The books will make some suggestions for how you can take time talking to God about the lessons you learn in each day’s reading. This will help you digest what you read and make it a part of your own walk with God.
There is a blank page after each day’s feast, for you to record any reflections of your own, either in words or diagrams or drawings, as you feel led – whatever helps you remember and respond to the living word. What struck you most forcefully? What are you not sure about? What changes might this demand of you? How would you sum it all up? What should you pray for? In this way, each little book of 20 Bible studies will also become a journal of your own daily dealings with God.
I hope you will feel invigorated, challenged, comforted, and urged on in your Christian life by reading the volumes in our Scripture with the Saints series. And most of all, that you will enjoy getting to know Christ better and growing in your love and appreciation for him.
The first four volumes are:
Reflecting on Galatians with Martin Luther:
Reflecting on Genesis with John Calvin:
Reflecting on Psalms with John Calvin:
Reflecting on the First Book of Homilies with Thomas Cranmer:
Sample chapters can be read at each of the shop pages linked above. Try before you buy!