“How refreshing”

Sunday, November 12, 2017

This past week a gentleman called, who said he has been watching our weekly TV program. He said, “Yes, every Sunday morning at 9:30 on FOX, I watch Study the Word.” He finally mustered enough courage to call and take me up on my offer for a home Bible study. After he called, we decided to meet at McDonalds, with him and a couple of friends. We then went back to his place to study. This is now a weekly class and they are excited about studying the Bible. Even though they have read much of the Bible, they have lots of questions.

The reason I mention this is to illustrate just how easy it is to set up a weekly Bible class. Whether it is just with one person, or if they gather a few together, the goal is to study the word of God. I assure you that when it comes to studying, James 1:19 is put into place. We are to be swift to hear and slow to speak. This isn’t a dictator setup. If someone doesn’t agree, they speak up. If there is something misunderstood, they speak up.

When Jesus said that those who seek will find (Matt. 7:7), He is affirming that there are those who will seek. As the title mentioned, it is refreshing to see the desire that people still have in wanting to learn the word of God. One does not have to be totally ignorant of the Bible to desire a class. Some have invited me who were actual teachers of the Bible. Why get together then? The truth is, the only thing that suffers from investigation is error. If error is taught and exposed, then we all can be a winner. You can’t know what error is without knowing the truth.

It is not our place to follow blindly (Matt. 15:14), nor is it our place to put our head in the sand and not test those who say they have the truth (I Jn. 4:1). This means that everyone is to be aware of the need and responsibility to examine themselves to make sure they are right (II Cor. 13:5). There is an obvious reason why we read in so many places that we should not be deceived. It’s because many fail to keep their guard up.

You might wonder what we talked about in our first meeting this past week. Well, as we talked about the word of God, I asked if I could take the next three classes (40-45 min. ea.) to teach the whole Bible. This is to get them familiar with the “big picture” of the Bible. Then the fourth class would be on understanding the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament. From there, we will study about Christ and His plan of salvation for man and His church. It will be during these studies that many of the questions and confusions will be cleared up.

The goal of these classes that we have is NOT to get anyone to come to the church I attend. The goal is to provide enough Biblical instruction so they can rightly divide the word of God on their own. No one wants to believe false teaching, so the more knowledge one has, the better armed they are. As the Psalmist put it, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” (119:104). The less one knows, the more vulnerable they are (Eph. 4:14).

Another benefit of these classes is to confirm what one knows to be the truth. When people have the attitude of, “If I am wrong I want to know it”, nothing but good will come. If you learn that what you believe is correct, it will strengthen your faith. If it doesn’t, you will have the opportunity to get on track. Studying he Bible is not just for those who doubt, it is for those who are convinced they have the truth. I study believing what I believe is right. However, if I am shown from the scriptures to be in error, I will take hold of that which is right.

This article was to encourage you to see the value in having a Bible class. If this appeals to you, don’t hesitate or email today. Phone –

812-550-6234 or email: studytheword@wowway.com

Chuck

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