Action usually represents attitude. Have you noticed that? I believe we all keep a little bit of child within us all our lives. What we really want to do, we do! What we don't want to do, we make excuses for not doing. You might ask what this has to do with Bible class (as in this article's title)? Over the years, have you noticed the same things I have about our Bible classes? There is, in most congregations, a noticeable difference between the number attending worship and the number attending Bible class. Of course, some of that number consists of visitors, and latecomers, and some elderly, and the recovering ill who cannot sit for long periods. But when we take those numbers into account, there remains a consistent number of people who absent themselves from class. And that's not all ...
The number who attend class drops even more dramatically when the class is scheduled anytime other than Sunday or Wednesday evening. Evening classes, daytime classes, or studies in members' homes can seem almost desolate due to the lack of interest shown, even in large congregations. And have you noticed anything that adult classes in different places have in common? In many adult classes, participation is rare, and preparation is even rarer. In this regard, auditorium classes have the worst reputation.
It occurs to me that perhaps the reason we don't appear to take our Bible classes seriously, the reason we don't seem to have any qualms about not attending or taking part in the study, is we don't really understand what Bible classes are. To that end, I am here to tell Christians that a Bible class, any Bible class, is ...
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) teaches us to "study" to show ourselves approved unto God. Let's be honest. Most of us do a better job of studying when we are preparing for something specific. Vague, general study, without goals, is usually useless.
In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter appeals to the most basic principle of learning, i.e., repetition. The apostle implied that they needed reminders. Even if you know it all (and the one who gives that impression usually doesn't), you need to hear different viewpoints and refresh your own memory.
2 Peter 3:18 states this as a command. There can be no growth "in the knowledge of Jesus Christ" without study and learning. Bible class gives us another opportunity to fulfill the Lord's wishes in this respect. I have never seen a spiritual, knowledgeable, and mature Christian who made a practice of being absent from the Bible classes.
In the church today, there is an alarming lack of elders, preachers, and teachers, including older women who will accept responsibility for teaching the younger. In many areas, there is lack of spiritual maturity. There is also the problem of so many of God's children returning to the world and being lost to the Lord. I believe Hebrews 5:11-14 ties together all three of the above shortages (elders, preachers, teachers). All are fired and fueled by church members who continue to need elementary teaching because they have not tried to become teachers themselves. They refuse to have their senses trained by practice. They continue, year after year, to need milk, and as a result, often bring about petty strifes, quarrels, and doubtful disputations. The great need for teachers, coupled with the number of Bible classes, provide opportunities to teach for those who desire to grow and exercise.
Hebrews 10:24 teaches us to "consider one another" and "stimulate one another to love and good deeds." Being present and listening closely often presents opportunities to hear and give consideration to the feelings and attitudes of others. Insightful, thought-provoking comments can go a long way toward stimulating them to greater works in the kingdom.
Acts 2:42 says that the early Christians were "continually devoted" to fellowship (i.e., sharing together in the Lord's work). They were doing this weekly, and even daily (Acts 2:46).
As a preacher, I have always had difficulty understanding why brethren are not more interested in learning. Brother Dodson strikes a nerve with which every congregation of God's people deals--how do we generate more interest in Bible studies. Is it the teacher? The material? The subject? The way we conduct the classes? To be sure, each of these areas plays a role. But I don't believe the trouble lies with teachers, materials, or subjects. The trouble is the student's lack of desire. If every child of God understood the value of Bible knowledge, our classes would be attended. God's word clearly tells us we must grow in "grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). How many take this duty seriously? Do we understand that knowledge doesn't miraculously come to us? Nothing takes the place of old-fashioned study. Before even thinking about attending a Bible study, a person should desire to read and study. If God's people were more "people of the Book," as we were, not so many years ago, not only would our Bible classes be better attended, we would also be experiencing more growth. How can we teach what we don't know? Think about it? --KG