(E) A noble response.

Luke writes: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. v11. This passage teaches us that:

(a) Big differences exist between groups of people.
When I moved from the County Upper School in Bury St Edmunds to teach at Debenham in Mid Suffolk the difference in the children was very noticeable. The pupils at Debenham were more compliant and far friendlier. They would wave goodbye as they left to go home in the evenings on the school buses. I received a lot of affection at Debenham. The same is true of classes. I have had classes that were a joy to teach and others that were a pain. It is wonderful to teach a group of children that are on your side and smile as they enter the room.

What is true of schools and classes is also true of churches. Some churches are hard. They contain awkward, contrary and ungracious Christians. The poor pastor or elder with the oversight of such churches has a very difficult time. Sadly the pastor often blames himself when it is his flock that are the problem.

Paul got an excellent response to his teaching because the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians. v11. Paul did not change his approach. He did not adopt new methods. It was his hearers that were different. In the 'Parable of the Sower' it was not the seed or the sower that were at fault but the ground into which the seed fell.

(b) Sometimes we need a change.
Paul had experienced a lot of opposition in Philippi and Thessalonica. He needed a responsive group to raise his spirits. Paul's morale must have been lifted by teaching men and women eager to learn and with a right attitude to the Scriptures. It always cheered me up, especially on a poor day, to finish with a happy-hearted, enthusiastic, nice group of pupils.

What a difference a noble church makes to its leaders. At Debenham High School the compliance of the pupils made good teachers of us all. Compliant, co-operative and enthusiastic church members are quite able to turn a very moderate leader into a dynamic one.

(c) Homework is important.
The Bereans examined Scripture everyday to see if what Paul said was true. I always used to tell my school pupils that homework provided them with an opportunity of consolidating what I had taught in class. They were never overtly impressed! Homework was never very popular.

Very few Christians do homework. They are rarely sufficiently stimulated by the teaching they get in church to go home and study the relevant Scripture for themselves. One of the reasons for this is that Bible teachers often avoid controversial topics. Otherwise, the fault lies with the taught who may be lazy, apathetic or indifferent.