10 REASONS TO ATTEND BIBLE CLASS – By Bola Adewara

10 REASONS TO ATTEND BIBLE CLASS

1. CHRISTIANITY IS RELATIONAL
Christianity was never intended to be like a spectator sport. It is relational, first, on a vertical axis – between us and God and secondly, horizontal axis – between ourselves and those around us. This makes group Bible study or Weekly Bible Class so effectual. Weekly Bible studies move us from being spectators in a weekly Church service to active participants in a like-minded community dedicated to spiritual growth.

2. SO MANY CHRISTIANS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE WORD
So many ‘Christians’… sorry Church goers cannot support their views with a Biblical verse! Indeed, you can’t give what you don’t have. All they know could be John 3:16 and verses of Psalms they cite to fight enemies! You want to know more about the Bible? Read your Bibles at home and attend Weekly Bible Class.

3. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ?
Not many people can read the Bible and understanding what they read? The spirit of understanding is given to everyone but how many people can access it on their own? Also, there is something called balancing of scriptures. Most Christians can’t do these on their own, giving rise to the relevance of group Bible study.

4. SUNDAY SERVICE IS NOT ENOUGH
The Sunday service is good, but not enough for Christian development in the faith. Most Sunday services are ceremonies where so many issues are touched: announcements, choir ministration, prayers, dedication, sermons, exhortations, etc. Weekly Bible Study is STRICTLY DEVOTED TO BIBLE STUDY.

5. AVOID DISTRACTIONS
Reading the Bible is not the same as studying the Bible. How many people have the discipline to PERSONALLY STUDY THE WORD in a world of several distractions? Weekly Bible Study, under the guidance of teachers would take you a longer way.

6. OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE
As you encounter God’s Word together, people share their perspectives and insights and are broadened through interactions. You ask and answer questions, open up on issues troubling you. You don’t talk on Sundays. Sundays are a dictatorship of the priest! Research has shown that people talk more in Bible classes, using their gifts and talents to minister to one another.

7. SHOW GOOD EXAMPLES
Sadly, the world does not read the Bible again, they read you the Christian! Are you showing them that you are a worthy example who studies the Bible? Children do what they see their parents do. Have you shown them the way of the Lord? Remember, God will hold you responsible for whatever the children turn out to be now or in the future!

8. BIBLE CLASS IS OFTEN LATE EVENINGS
In so many Churches, Bible class is between 6-8pm. Be sincere, are you not available at that time or you simply don’t care to come? In so many Churches, the elders, deacons and deaconesses are not seen in most weekly programmes. Is this not a dereliction of duty? Who should be the first to be seen, at least to serve as good examples and encouragement to the new and weak Christians? Leadership!

9. THE CHRISTIAN RACE IS ABOUT KNOWING THE WORD. NOT PRAYERS ALONE!
Why are prayer sessions and Sunday services always filled up but Sunday schools and Bible study classes are empty? The Bible gave an answer in Hosea 4:6. Man cannot be saved in ignorance, and thus, due to lack of knowledge (of the Gospel), the people perish. No wonder why men who are not even Christians prosper more than many Christians… they understand the principles of God (knowledge) more than the Children of God.

10. ACCOUNTABILITY
In some well organised Bible study groups, members encourage each other in their faith, comfort others, hold each other accountable. In most Weekly Bible studies groups, intense and personal prayers are said. Teachers are able to drive members to focus on their personal lives in prayers vis-à-vis what they have studied that very day.