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When was the last time you were surprised by the Bible? I've just had an email from a seven-year-old who uses XTB Bible-reading notes for children. He says:
"Thank you for making XTB I really like it. I was really surprised when Solomon turned away from God!"
That got me thinking: Do I need to read the Bible (in some ways, at least) with the eyes of a child?
1. Do I know Bible stories so well they don't surprise me any more?
There are certain stories, especially when you're a children's worker, that come up again and again. So I know that Solomon seemed to start out well (He asked God for wisdom to rule well, 1 Kings 3 v 7-9; He built the temple for God, 1 Kings 5-6) but then broke God's laws about intermarrying, built altars for idol worship, and ended up drifting away from God, 1 Kings 11).
But I know it so well it doesn't surprise me any more. So maybe I should be asking the Lord to open my eyes afresh to His Word, through His Spirit, that I will see it and respond to it as if it's new to me. (I know there are benefits to seeing one part of the Bible in the light of another - but I suspect that's less of a problem for me.)
2. Is it surprising that Solomon turned away from God?
This is the point that shocked the seven-year-old. After 22 days exploring the life of Solomon in 1 Kings, he suddenly discovers that Solomon gave up. This great, wise king grabbed as many wives (700!) and girlfriends (300) as he could; encouraged them to worship their own "gods"; and happily joined in.
This was a man God had shown incredible grace to, and blessed in so many ways - but Solomon throws it all back in God's face. Does that shock me any more? It should.
3. Am I at risk of turning away from God too?
At the end of the XTB page I've made this suggestion for how the children might pray:
"Is God No. 1 in your life? What things or people might slowly become more important to you than loving and serving God? Ask God to help you not to slip away from Him as Solomon did."
It's time to ask myself those same questions. And pray that our loving Lord will keep me close to Him, and protect me from drifting away.
Alison Mitchell is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company, where she has worked on a range of products including Bible-reading notes for children and families, and the Christianity Explored range of resources. She is the best-selling author of The Christmas Promise and the award-winning Jesus and the Lions' Den.
