Bible Study for Pastors
Training pastors and Christian leaders is my passion and heart’s desire. I minister in Cuiaba, Brazil, a medium-large city in the middle of the South American continent. I have been meeting bi-weekly with pastors from the group of churches that have been formed through the work of my mission. We are doing a Bible study through the New Testament looking for principles on church leadership.
This past week one of our pastors came to the Bible study quite discouraged. The church where he ministers has been going through a split. Some of the former members are inviting the remaining members to go to the other church and are trying to create doubt in their minds. My counsel was for the pastor to forget about trying to resolve every issue, and to move on and preach Christ. He needed to see that God has continued to be faithful to this work. Visitors were coming in greater numbers than before the exodus of the disgruntled members. The visitors needed to hear the good news of Christ. They needed the chance to see their lives transformed through Bible study.
In our Bible study that morning we were in 2 Timothy. As we came to chapter 2:23 in our Bible study we were challenged to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations. I turned to my colleague and encouraged him not to major on what had happened, as he would never be able to answer every question or remove every doubt. Later in the book of 2 Timothy we were challenged with Paul’s exhortation to “preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season.”
God has opened up fantastic doors of ministry for the church. Several Bible studies are happening outside the church hours. The Word of God is alive and powerful. Many think Bible study is out of date. Rather, Bible study is a powerful way to see God at work, including encouraging a discouraged pastor to remain faithful to his calling.
Submitted by Wayne W Penner