Unaware of Bible Stories

Children and parents 'unaware of Bible stories'

 

      The following account was passed on to me by a friend who read it in a publication by the Bible Society of the UK. I suspect that much of it is true within our own country.

 

Widespread ignorance exists among children and parents about the contents of the Bible, research has suggested.

Surveys for the Bible Society found almost three in 10 young people were unaware the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible.
A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve.
The report was based on a poll of 800 children aged eight to 15 and about 1,100 parents.
The study revealed a generation of children with little knowledge of the most important stories forming the basis of Christianity, and parents who often knew little more.

Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains”

Of the children who were questioned, more than a third failed to identify either the Good Samaritan or David and Goliath as Biblical stories.

Many of the parents who responded saw the Bible as a source of good values for their children.
But almost half did not recognize the story of Noah's Ark as coming from the Bible, and many confused Biblical stories with plotlines from well-known films such as Harry Potter.
The Bible Society commissioned the study as part of its Pass It On campaign to encourage parents to give the stories to their children.
The group said the findings were "symptomatic of the fact that many children indicate they have never read, seen or even heard these stories".
In a foreword to the report, Bishop of London Dr Richard Chartres said sharing Bible stories "is as vital now as it has ever been".
"Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains," he said.
"Even those that do when they are young often take its awesome stories for granted when they become adults. There is work to be done."
James Catford, group chief executive of the Bible Society, said: "It's clear that parents want to give their children the best start in life.
"The Bible's contribution to our culture - language, literature, the visual arts and music - is immense. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from.
"The Bible enriches life, and every child should have the opportunity to experience it."

 

Things Have Changed

It’s Not The Same Anymore

 

   Have you ever said that to yourself? “It’s not the same anymore!” I think that most of us have.

- Movies aren’t  the same anymore.

-Shopping isn’t the same anymore.

-A doctor’s visit isn’t the same anymore.

-My work isn’t the same anymore.

- Sunday’s aren’t the same anymore.

   You can probably think of several other things that “aren’t the same anymore.” I would like to add another to the list, something that I experienced just this past week.

-Going to the bank isn’t the same anymore!

   While some changes over the past few years have been for the better many haven’t. Customer service at our banks isn’t the same. Before going to university I use to work in the bank. I had two other brothers who also worked in the bank. One of my brothers hit the nail on the head when he said; “Banks use to be there to offer a service now they are there to sell a product!” You can see the difference in the service they offer. Call me “old fashion or not” but I remember the day when banks “looked at the person” moreso than a room full of forms and papers. Let me give you a couple of examples. My father applied for a loan to buy a brand-new car, a 1956 Ford! Sure, he went in to see the bank manager and after a talk the manager stood up shook my dad’s hand and said, “I like the look (honesty) of your face, the loan is yours now let’s sign a few papers!” When I was in university I needed some cash to finish my year. I told a classmate; “I’m going down to the bank to get a loan.” My friend replied; “John, this is not small time Nova Scotia this is Montreal and you are a stranger here, they will never give you a loan.” My reply was, “wait and see.” I went down to a local Bank of Nova Scotia.” I stated my request; “I need some cash to finish my year.” The manager asked me into his office. I explained why I needed a loan and I also added; “My brother happens to be a bank manager in Nova Scotia.” The manager smiled looked at some papers and then looked up at me and asked; “what account would you like the money deposited in Mr. Fraser.” I said to myself; “thank you Lord and thank you brother Jim.” When I got back to residence and told my classmate he replied; “I don’t believe it!”

   Banks were far different then than they are today. Banks have lost the personal touch. They don’t look at you anymore they allow their machines and long list of rules and regulations to do that. Let me share with you what happened this week. I went to my local bank (HSBC) located directly across the street from my church. This is the bank where I have had my account for the past five years. This is the bank where our church treasurer deposits my pay cheque each and every month. This is the bank that holds a sizeable mortgage on our property. This is the bank that when they have a fire drill they come across the street and occupy our church lawn. So, as you can see they are no strangers to me “or so I thought.” My request was very simple. “Good morning, I would like to deposit this international US money order from a Canadian bank (CIBC) into my account I know I have enough in my account to cover it.” I should add that the money order was for the grand sum of $34. The young clerk looked at it and replied; “I’m sorry but you may want to keep this for now.” “What was the problem,” I asked. Well, to begin with the money order would have to be verified and that would take 10 days (imagine that and this is the computer age), secondly if they were to cash it there would be a $20. fee which would leave me with $14. I left the young man making certain to take my money order with me and went to customer service and following that to the manager only to be told that, “Yes there would be a 10 day waiting period  and there would be a $20. fee!" It made no difference that I was their customer, I had enough funds in my account to cover the money order,that they hold a mortgage on our property and that they trample the grass on our lawn every time they have a fire drill!  
   It is just not the same anymore! Where has good old customer service gone? It went out with all the machinery and the rules and the regulations. Next time there is a fire drill at HSBC I’m thinking of going out on the lawn and passing the offering plate around saying; “sorry folks you are going to have to pay up because it just isn’t the same anymore!"

Pastor John