Why Don't They Come?

"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." 
(Acts 17:10-11)

 I like what the apostle Paul said about the Jews from Berea. When they came to the Jewish Synagogue "...they received the word with all eagerness..."

I don't know how many times (while leading, or attending a Bible study) I have heard this question: "Why don't people come?" "Why is there such a disinterest in studying the Bible?" I believe the answer is that it is not a priority with God's people. I know that I have become very discouraged, when I have prepared a Bible lesson, and few, (or at times) no one shows up.

 For us as Christians, we need to see the benefits of group Bible Study. It is an opportunity to encourage one another with the spiritual food from God's Word. If we are to be built up in our faith, hope, and love, we need to come together.
We need to strengthen one another with the Words of life.

Paul told Timothy this: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching." (1 Timothy 4:13)
I believe the keys words here are: "devote yourself." Make Bible study, individually, and in the group setting, A PRIORITY! Show up, and reap the blessings, God's Word has to offer! GP

 Photo: Free-Photos /9114 images/CCO Creative Commons/Free for commercial use/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com

Feeding The Stomach, Or The Soul?

 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17) 

I believe that every Christian church should emphasize, and promote Bible classes for all ages. Not only on Sunday morning, but whenever the opportunities present themselves. Our children need to learn about Jesus Christ early, so they can embrace Him as Savior and Lord of their lives, at a young age.

In many churches Sunday School is being replaced by fellowship programs; where we make sure that we feed the body, but we neglect to feed the soul. I am not against times when we can eat together, but more important are the times when we gather to study and apply God's Word to our lives.

All Scripture is for our spiritual growth and maturity, and for our effectiveness in service for the Kingdom. Bible Studies, Sunday School, VBS, youth Bible studies, are vital.

Let's not allow the enemy to talk us into majoring in miner things!
Our spiritual well-being is too much at stake! GP

Photo: noyadesigns / 1 image - CCO Public Domain - Free for commercial use - No attribution required - www.pixabay.com

Lesson Points

 "And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them." (Deuteronomy 5:1) 

"Now pay attention class, here are the lesson points I want you to know, and remember, for the test." Do these words sound familiar? All of us, in the time we were students, heard those words more times than maybe we wanted to.

 A Bible lesson is broken down into main points that properly, and specifically bring out the interpretation, and application of a Bible passage. Stemming from the lesson aim, they target the main thoughts of what the Bible passage, or story, is all about.

In life we have, as Israel had, lesson points to learn, and to practice. Statues and judgments to learn and to observe. From both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Bible has instruction, and lessons for us to learn, and to obey.

The lesson points from Bible teaching, will help us to obtain specific insight, and practical application for our lives. When we study them, individually, or in a class, let's not take them lightly. We need to sincerely meditate on them, and apply them, to everyday practice.

Spiritual growth will be the result, and a true blessing, when we do! GP

 Photo by stockimages. Published on 04 March 2015 Stock photo - Image ID: 100313290
www.freedigitalphotos.net