I love Home Bible Study, and I just wanted to post some of the things I like about it. I don't know that there will be any real exhortation here, but simply some ramblings. I like Home Bible Study because:
- It is the tool that God used to really bring me back to Him. When my wife and I were newly married, and weren't living the way that we ought to have been, a couple (Ryan & Becky Donovan) invited us out to a Home Bible Study at Bob and Sue Patterson's house. Rick Grape was the leader of the Bible Study, and he kept on pushing me, challenging me, and not letting up. It is exactly what I needed. I wasn't getting that in "big church," but in the Home Bible Study setting of discipleship, that close-knit accountability is here.
- It is a great opportunity for accountability. Now, Rick challenged me apart from the 7:00-9:00 official study time. However, during the study itself, we give everyone the opportunity to share what they have gotten out of their daily Bible devotions. You see, I think this is probably the most important part of Bible Study. People will remember very little of a lesson that was taught during a Home Bible Study, but if every week they are expected to have read their Bibles and have spent time with God, that is a habit that can be established and last for ever. And... that's more important than any facts or lessons that a teacher could give on a Friday night.
- It keeps me focused. When every week I have to be ready to minister to a bunch of families coming over to my house, it helps keep me from wandering off and concerning myself with too many other, non-important things. I get to work on preparing a lesson, organizing and presenting it.
- I get to hear others' understandings of the Bible. Some passages in the Bible are harder to get a grasp on than others, and during our study, people are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and give input. With this input, we can guide the study in a new direction if needed, and we can hear what others are seeing from the same passages. Now, for clarification, the Scriptures have one meaning, and if two people look at the Scripture and suggest that they say different things, only one of them can be right. Scripture can be applied in different ways in people's lives, but it only has one doctrinal meaning - let's get that relative garbage out of here.
- We get to really teach the kids the Bible. We have gone with a Divide and Conquer methodology with the kids. In principle, anyone over 10 or so can sit in with the parents - they're old enough to follow along and get it. Kids 5-10 are set around a long dining room table that we have (yup, we put the leaves in for Bible Study!). Last year we had, I think 11 kids, if everyone showed up in this age group, this year it looks to be closer to 15! I think we need another leaf! But, with this age, we really have the opportunity to teach some real topics, push deeper than a kids' Sunday School will do, and have these kids learn some of the meatier parts of the Bible - yet presenting them, illustrating them, with things the kids can understand better. Anyway, that's our focus with them. The younger kids, well, they basically are baby-sat. Hmm... anyone have any ideas how we could make that time more profitable for them?
- Snack Time! Now, when we were with the Farrells for Bible Study, I remember Jill making some of the best meals I have ever had. Everyone got excited when it was their turn to bring "snacks." Well, we've cut back on that a bit, but we still have some good stuff! But, actually, this "snack time" after 9:00 is often the best time of fellowship and conversations of the whole night. The "structure" for the study is gone, and people are free to talk about whatever's concerning them. Hopefully, this year, we'll handle this lack of structure time better with the kids.
Anyway, just some thoughts on Home Bible Study...
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