What would happen if a visitor came who had never been with us? Would they understand what is going on? For instance, from time to time a visitor will get a really strange look on their face when I call on them to read or answer a question Maybe it is because we do not explain the difference between what we do at 9:AM as opposed to what we do at 10:AM on Sundays. So, “what is it we are doing when we meet together?”
Bible Study
We are a group of Christians who assemble at 782 North Second Street. We assemble for different reasons. At 10:AM and 5:PM on Sundays we assemble for worship. At 9:AM on Sundays and 6:30 PM on Wednesdays, we assemble for Bible study.
Bible Study is not a worship service. During a worship service we are commanded to eat the Lord’s Supper, sing, give, pray, read Scripture, and teach. We are given specific instructions on how to execute this worship to God. But our Bible studies are not for the same purpose as our worship services and different rules apply.
Congregations are told to worship on the first day of the week. Bible studies can be held on any day and at any time. God tells us when we are to assemble for worship. Congregations decide when they will assemble for Bible study.
Women are not allowed to ask questions, instruct, or take a leadership role in a worship service (I Corinthians 14-33-35, I Timothy 2:11-12). However, a Bible study is more informal and women are not only allowed but encouraged to ask and answer questions*. In Acts 18:26, both Priscilla and Aquila were involved in the private teaching of Apollos.
Bible Study is Informal
Our Bible studies are not a formal service of the church. You can interrupt (within reason of course). If you have a question, raise your hand. If you disagree, let us know why. No teacher is infallible and any honest Christian would be grateful to be corrected if they are teaching error.
If you have a doubt about any Bible teaching, Bible class is the perfect time to discuss it. We don’t want plebes blindly following the “teachings of the church.” That is how error becomes the long-standing practice of a church that eventually doesn’t resemble a church of the New Testament.
Please don’t feel uncomfortable during our Bible classes. Even if the subject you have a question about isn’t the topic of the class, please feel free to raise it. Our Bible classes are intended to increase our knowledge of God’s word. We would not be serving our purpose if someone’s Bible question went unanswered.
We Study Together
Don’t be surprised if I ask you to answer a question or read a verse during Bible study. If someone came to a group book reading, would they be surprised if they were asked a question about the book? Our Bible studies are meant to be a time when we all come together to read and examine the word of God.
Our Bible classes are the backbone of this congregation. So many men and women put in literally hours of work each week to make them special. Our members take time to read their Bibles and answer questions. Is there any better use of the time God has granted us?
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