This past week, we had combined Sunday School classes after our church service to go though a technique of Bible Study together. I sat down at an empty table with my 9 year old son, had to leave and when I came back, I had 5 other young High school boys sitting with me. Since this was the initial/introductory gathering, we were guided through the process fairly systematically, but still with opportunities to practice reading through 10 verses in Jonah and gathering info from those verses. It was a bit slower than I am used to, and we had to show some restraint by not jumping to applications, etc till after going through some other observations and listing those. Though I was not directing the large group, leading discussion with the small group of young men was still fun, and I think we all took some knowledge and tools away from the experience. This reinforces my theory that any time spent in the Bible is a time well spent. What have been your favorite Bible studies in which you have participated over your lifetime?
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
I think my first ‘real’ bible study happened in college, when a new friend and believer, Chad, decided to have weekly bible studies in our residence hall. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but we just worked our way through a book of the bible, and got to share what we each took from it. I believe there is value in time spent both solitary study and in group studies. When you get in groups larger than 10 or more, you often lose some of the closeness and some people are more reluctant to share their thoughts, but it may be more conducive to just teaching instead. The regular group format is also helpful for accountability, because if we rely just on whether we feel like doing something, then we are less likely to do it. What best helps you keep in the Word on a regular basis?
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
One of the most fun experiences with bible study in the past few years, was when I was asked to lead a study with a group of new and non believers aged 20 to 70 years old. Some of these folks had never really read the bible on their own, so I decided to go through a few chapters of Matthew each week. It was great seeing some of these folks grow in their ability to read, but also just hearing what they took away from our time together. Also, no matter how many times I’ve read a section of scripture before, I always learn something new, and God opens up new applications for me, and that causes me to rejoice every time. I challenge you and myself to see what new things He will reveal to us today with time spent in His Word. May you be blessed each time you jump in!
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
Yours in Christ,
Clark
