Sheep Feeding: How Your Church Should Feed You By Dr Philip Ryken

Quoting Philip Ryken . . .
The disciple's transformation starts with the development of a thoroughly Christian mind. As the Scripture says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2a). Mind renewal is the work of God's Holy Spirit, who accomplishes this transforming work as we read, study, and meditate on God's holy Word. We are living in a mindless age, in which people are unwilling and unable to think reflectively about very much of anything, let alone how to really live. Sociologists call this "the dumbing down of America".
The process of intellectual atrophy is accelerated by the trivializing effect of television, which damages the life of the mind by exalting the image over the word. This is the age of the sound byte and the remote control, which keep us from thinking about anything for more than a few seconds. What we ought to do is take the time to stop and think. That is what people usually do when they lose their way. A motorist looking for a street in a strange neighborhood eases-off the gas pedal and turns down the stereo. But in these post Christian times, we do exactly the opposite. We sense that we have lost our spiritual way, but instead of taking time to think things through, we go faster and faster, cranking the music louder and louder.
Disciples are called to be different. God's method for training us to follow Christ starts with the renewing of our minds. This is not merely an intellectual exercise. Ideas always have consequences. God transforms our minds with the specific intention of changing our whole lives. First, our thoughts influence our affections, for in time we come to feel what we believe. Then we start to say what we think and do what we think. So the important thing is to get our thinking straight. Then we will know what God wants us to feel and what He wants us to say and do it. Ultimately, it is by thinking biblically that we learn how to live biblically. Therefore, a Christian church for post-Christian times provides an effective Christian education program to inform, train, and disciple all members of the congregation.
An effective Christian education program provides information--biblical information for a Christian view of this world. This starts with a biblical view of God, the study of His divine attributes. It continues with a biblical view of humanity in sin and salvation, and with a biblical view of God's plan for human history: creation, fall, grace, and glory. This information needs to be biblical in order to combat the prevailing relativism of our age. God has provided an answer to relativism in His revelation. An effective Christian education program also provides training. It offers practical instruction for how to study the Bible, worship God, live as a spiritual family, share the gospel, support world missions, and serve others with deeds of mercy.
This kind of informing, training, discipline education is necessary at every stage of the Christian life. It is necessary for children. When children are taught how to think and act biblically, they can offer God a whole lifetime of useful service. Christian education is equally necessary for young adults who are making life choices that will chart their future and who want to know God's will. It is necessary for parents hoping to raise their children in a godly way, and also for singles hoping to find their place in the church and in the world. ...
Every church should have some kind of bible school program, not only for children, but for adults. This should include instruction in Bible, theology, church history, and practical Christian living. Children should especially be trained in catechism and bible memory.
From:
City on a Hill: Reclaiming the Biblical Pattern for the Church...