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By Adam Faughn
I always look forward to a new Bible
school quarter. While I love studying a text or topic in depth for those
weeks, there is also a "freshness" to starting a new study,
especially when I know that we will come back to the text or topic of the
previous study at another time. (For example, we may have felt like we
hurried through certain sections of Philippians in the last quarter, but Lord
willing, that will not be the last time we ever study that wonderful book!)
Today marks the beginning of our spring
quarter, and all three adult classes will begin new studies, as will our
children’s and teens' classes. As I say from time to time, when these new
studies begin, it is a wonderful time to jump in and renew a commitment to
Bible study.
But let me give a very practical reason
why being regular and active in a Bible class can be a great help to each
Christian's spiritual walk. It is simply this: if you will let it, it will
aid with your personal Bible study.
I am sometimes asked (and, frankly, I
have struggled with this at times in my own personal life) about what to
study in one's own personal life. A lot of Christians know that they need to
be reading and studying the Scripture on their own but simply do not know
where to begin or what to study next.
A Bible class provides a very natural and
good "first step" in personal Bible study. Each week in class,
listen carefully and take what is said, but also think of further questions
or considerations that you want to dive into more deeply. Then, during the
week, let that guide your study.
Almost any Bible class teacher will tell
you that there is no way to discuss every possible consideration of a passage
of Scripture or a topic in the allotted time of a Sunday or Wednesday Bible
class. And, if we are being honest, there are times when each of us as
students has probably felt as if we were wanting more from a study. It wasn't
the teacher's fault; it was just a function of the amount of time and the
volume of material to be considered.
So, there is your "in" to your
own personal Bible study! What was not covered that you want to know more
about? What questions did this study raise in your own thinking? What were
you confused about? What other passages did this study bring to mind? Were
there Biblical people or places mentioned that you would like to learn more
about? Was there a "Bible word" used that you've never really
studied in depth before? Was this simply a text you just have not really ever
studied before, and you want to dive deeper?
All these--and more--can be brought up
in your mind during a Bible class and then used throughout the week for your
own Bible study. Over time, you may feel more comfortable choosing a subject
of study on your own, but following up on a Bible class is always a good
place to start--or default to--in your own personal study.
So, please take a look at the list of
classes for this quarter, make a choice, and jump in. Then, take what you
learn and let it help you be drawn even closer to the Lord as the week (and
weeks) roll on in your study.
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