A Really Deep Subject

When is the last time you heard these words from one of the saints in the church?



"I want something deeper for myself." "Your messages aren't deep enough. "



"I want something meatier." " I want a Bible study that goes deeper."



After 30 years of ministry I am still trying to figure what "deeper" really means.



Does it mean more expositional? Does it mean more detailed? Does it mean more background or historical support of the teaching? Does it mean a better parsing of verbs or Greek renderings? Does it mean more in your face? Does it mean getting past milk issues regarding salvation or onto bigger and better discipleship issues? Does it mean "Precepts Bible Studies"?


Let me put just a cynical spin on the concept of deeper.....

I have learned that those who complain about depth are often those who want to substitute knowledge for obedience. The assumption is that the more they know the more mature they are. These people want more information not transformation.

People who complain about depth often have a personal doctrinal agenda that needs to be served. If that agenda isn't being taught or presented then it isn't deep. For intance if we don't preach on "end times" or the sovereignty of God frequently we are not deep enough.

People who complain about depth are often those without consideration of the larger body.
There are many different levels of understanding in the average church today. Martin Luther used to use the k.i.s.s. method. (Keep it simple. ) Simplicity is often associated with shallowness.
It is unfortunate, because the most simple can be the most profound.

So when somebody uses the "d" word in your church what do you think they really mean?

In any case, let's make sure we keep on digging.