I have recently been thinking about when I was in high school. I generally had two types of classes. In one type of class, the teacher would give a talk and then assign a lot of work and really made us study. We also got tested to make sure we knew the subject matter.
In the second type of class, the teacher would get up and talk and didn’t assign much work. We might see a film or watch a program on television. Sometimes the talks and other visual aids were interesting and sometimes, not so much.
At the time, I must admit, I liked the second type of class better. It was much easier to sit back and relax, knowing I wouldn’t have to study to get a good grade.
Looking back, though, I’ve since realized that the first type of class was the one where I still remember what I studied. Having to do the work, listening, reading, and being tested, resulted in my learning the subject at a deep level and one that has stuck with me through the years.
The classes where I listened and maybe even asked a question from time to time, were fun for that moment but did not result in me remembering much more than I liked those easy classes because they were easier.
I started thinking about this because I have been yearning for a true Bible Study class. When I first became a Christian, the churches I went to had services on Sunday and Bible Study for adults on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings.
Somewhere along the line, churches stopped doing serious Bible Studies. Instead, they moved to home groups, life groups, small groups or whatever that particular church calls it. Essentially, they are groups from the congregation that get together and discuss the sermon using suggested questions provided by the church.
While those groups are good and getting to know other Christians at a deeper level is really good, I still miss having a Bible Study.
I can do a study by myself and I do but I would like to have the guidance of a pastor to lead me as I study.
In a sense, sermons are little Bible Studies. The preacher gets up and talks and, if you have time after the service, you can go up and ask a question or two. However, generally speaking, there is very little about this type of service that results in a deep study to understand and remember.
Sermons are a bit like the classes I took that were easy and fun because they didn’t involve a lot of work. Sometimes, when you get convicted of sin by something the pastor has said, maybe the sermon isn’t so much fun. However, it still doesn’t involve work.
I’ve been lobbying for our church to do a old-fashioned Bible Class. On-line, so the pastor can record it and only have to do each chapter once. Sadly, I’ve been brushed aside a bit and told that life groups are Bible studies. I’ve even been mocked a bit by someone but I will continue to stick to my request.
We were talking recently in our small group and another member said he would like to have us study the Bible instead of reading other books or merely following the questions about the prior Sunday’s service. While all I said, was “Yes, I agree”), I felt like standing up and singing the Hallelujah chorus.
Knowing that someone else wants it as well, has emboldened me to write a letter to the senior pastor, which in part, asked for a Bible Study. We’ll see if and how he responds. However, if I don’t get the response that I am hoping for, I will continue to ask as I now have proof that others are hungry for this as well.
As Christians, we are told to study the Bible. It is what teaches about the way we are supposed to live. It also gives us guidance. It helps us when we are tempted by the world around us. It is the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.