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Bible Study - The Highlight of Each Week

I write as a person, who for the past twenty years has had a God given passion for the smaller ‘home group’ style Bible study.

The Bible studies are based on a once a week period from 10.00am until 12.00md. The first 15-20 minutes are open for any questions from the previous weeks study. One to one and quarter-hours are devoted to the Bible study itself. The remaining time is used for international, local, particular requests, and personal prayer Groups are generally between eight and twelve persons. Young children are not included in the above number, but stay and play in an adjoining room with suitable plastic toys and/or biblical pictures for colouring in. For those who are able to stay past 12.00md, a fellowship style lunch (bring a plate) will close the session.

Studies are always Biblically based, and are built by myself. Topics are only ever on a particular Book of the Bible, and cover the times, events, and customs of the study, along with any previously God give laws.

The groups are encouraged to actively ask questions, and participate with their own thoughts and ideas.

To give an idea a Bible Study that finished just two weeks ago was on the Book of Ruth. An ordained clergy friend also planned a Bible Study based on Ruth. His comment to me, when we finished our home group study after thirteen weeks was that he had had only enough material for two weeks, and that was after he had stretched the study from one and a half weeks to two full weeks. His was a ‘one man band’ scenario, no cross-relating the Scriptures, no notes given out, and I suspect that very few notes were taken!

For ourselves, a twenty-eight page booklet was supplied to each person, and on the final day, it was very hard in places to find some spare space on the page, after the cross-references had been added along with the meanings of some of the words.

To close, I personally find that a Bible Study is not so much of being important, but imperative. It cannot be a one-man band, it has to be a group activity – hence my preference for the smaller group, as it is not over powering for those who wish to ask questions. Let me make a further point here, it is not only those to who I am talking, but I very often hear myself talking to me. Our Bible studies in the past have permeated through to groups who continue to pray and share with each other, because of the bonding power of the Spirit activated word holding each one together. Each Bible study is – where the Holy Spirit leads – adapted, and has always met the needs of those present.

The benefits of the Bible study have produced many amazing stories of how God has worked in our lives.

Submitted by Rev. Mike Hearn