Skip to main content

Why Should I Attend Bible Study?


 “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 


        There is a Bible study that happens every week, twice a week. These studies are held in a location you frequent. It is comprised of your family and your brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible is the textbook, and it is supported by book, chapter, and verse. It sounds like something that all Christians would seek to be present for. It is our weekly Bible studies at 9:45 AM and Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. If this sounds so good, why do our attendance numbers for the hour of worship differ from our Bible Study times? Why do we attend Bible study anyway? 

 Christians Study the Bible 

We are commanded to study the Bible. Paul wrote,  “Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Tim 4:13. When we meet together for Bible study it provides a great supplement to your study. Yes, it is supplemental, because the New Testament Christian is one who studies the Bible. I often hear that people believe they can just study the Bible on their own, or others who believe they only need to study the Bible in corporate studies. However, this is not how it should be. We should say yes to both. 

Gain Knowledge to Equip Others

When I teach Bible classes, I know that the class I am teaching is benefiting from the study that I have done to prepare to teach. That class is also benefiting from the hours I have spent being taught. I love to attend brotherhood lectureships (Memphis School of Preaching and Show-Me State Lectures), not only for the fellowship but also to learn from many sound brethren who help to equip me to be a better teacher. When we study the Bible together, we are working toward the goal of spreading the Gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20). 

The Elders Have Authorized It. 

Elders are commanded to ensure the flock is fed. Paul said, “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Any shepherd that does not feed the flock will not have a healthy flock. The elders are within their authority in matters of expedience to set aside the aforementioned times for the flock to be fed. The elders are aware that these times allow them and others to teach the flock for their own good.  To not attend Bible study for the reason of indifference, or disinterest is rebelling against the will of God. 

Because We Are Hungry for the Word

When we are physically hungry, we seek nourishment in the form of proper food. To keep from spiritual malnourishment, we stay in the Word of God. Peter wrote, 

"Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

1 Peter 2:1-3

        Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious? Then you should want to be fed? When the disciples wondered where Jesus would have possibly found food at Sychar,  Jesus said to them something about the need to be spiritually fed.  “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work (John 4:34).

        In the United States, there are many who are hungry for no good reason. There is not a famine in the land. There is not a lack of jobs, but people refuse to work, and thus they have no reason to be hungry. This is Biblical,  the Spirit says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies” 2 Thess. 2:10-11. If you refuse to work, you are a busybody. 

        Now let's apply that concept to spiritual hunger. We have no reason to go through our lives hungering for the truth. We have the Bible, we have time we set aside, Sunday morning, Wednesday evenings, Gospel Meetings, Ladies' Bible study, and an upcoming Ladies’ Day. There are many opportunities to supplement your spiritual food. Why not feast with your brethren?

Brethren, I thank God we have the ability to gather together at these allotted times to supplement our own Bible study, become equipped to teach others the Good News, to submit to our elders, and to be spiritually nourished. The added benefit is that we get to do this with our family, the church that belongs to Christ. 


Grace and Peace, 

R.D. Beavers 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don't Raise an Ahaz

           Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel.   And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4                   When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Abijah and Totality

  Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam (also Abijah) over Judah.Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:1-3        Do you ever wonder how someone who gets things mostly right can still be so wrong? It is mind-boggling if we do not consider that God judges man in totality. From our text above, it is hard to see anything good that can be said about Abijam (Abijah) son of Rehoboam. After all, it is evident that he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.      So where do we learn the details? 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 gives us further evidence of Abijah’s issues. We know he i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can a Christian Celebrate a Secular Christmas?

         Can a Christian celebrate a secular Christmas? This is a good question and one that deserves an honest answer. This week I read the following, “If you don’t talk about Jesus at Christmas time, you miss Jesus. If you do not sing those scriptural songs focusing on Jesus, you miss Jesus. You might have grown up in a church where “Christmas” was a “Jesus-free” day.” These were some accusations leveled against some brethren by a well-known preacher in our brotherhood. In this article, I wish to set the record straight on how it is rather simple to celebrate a secular Christmas and it not be a “Jesus-free” day. I contend that no day is “Jesus free” for a New Testament Christian.            First, this brother accuses the church “of not knowing what to do with Christmas. They celebrate it in their homes, but avoid it at all costs in church.” I contend that the preachers who preach the whole counsel of God know what to do with...
Post a Comment
Read more