Studying the
Bible is not an option for a Christian. For someone who wants to know what Christians
are supposed to believe and practice, studying the Bible likewise is not an
option. Anyone who wants to know what Christianity is all about must start with
the Bible.
Many
believers have come to a point of faith in God through Jesus Christ by reading
portions of the Bible on their own. The Bible has the power to reveal a
person’s soul and its needs. When that person is sincerely seeking Truth, the
printed word will lead that person to the Living Word who is Truth incarnate.
Others have
found their minds opened to the leadership of the Holy Spirit by joining with a
believer to understand what the Bible was saying. The study became a common
pilgrimage where each grew from the questions raised and the answers discovered
through their search in the Scriptures.
In the
context of corporate worship, believers and non believers share the same social
experience but come from a different perspective. The testimony of believers
voiced in song, prayer, and scriptural exposition touches each mind uniquely
under the influence of the Holy Spirit. In the context of the Family of God
gathered for worship, the Holy Spirit uses not only the written word but also
the faith expression of multiple believers to reveal Truth in the Bible.
The Sunday
School is the Church organized in small group fashion to focus upon the written
word of God. These small groups may be only two or three, or the numbers may
reach into the hundreds when insufficient leadership is available. For adults
the ideal is between twelve and twenty participants. This allows for the
development of supportive relationships and openness in sharing personal
spiritual growth experiences.
Though the
Sunday School class has one primary text for study, the Bible, it also has
other functions which are critical for a climate in which the Holy Spirit is
free to work in the heart of participants. Teaching the participants the content
and thrust of Scripture and leading them to see the priority of the
relationship God wants to have with every individual is the most obvious
function. Five other functions include 1) reaching others who are not part of
the Body of Christ, 2) strengthening the spiritual walk of believers through
discipleship training, 3) encouraging prayer as a mark of the relationship with
God, 4) nurturing others in the Body of Christ through acts of ministry, and 5)
using evangelism and ministry to touch the lives of those who do not know
Christ as Lord and Savior.
When we
think Sunday School, we think Bible teaching. Studying God’s word and applying
its lessons to life is essential for growing as a Christian and being the salt
and light Christ has called us to be. To understand what the Bible says we must
read it, interpret it correctly both in its historical context and in its
modern application, and apply its principles to our lives and relationships.
Good
outreach depends upon a personal relationship with Christ, humility, and a love
for all people. It takes initiative and boldness. It takes the conviction only
through Christ can we have eternal life.
In small
group Bible study we learn what it means to be disciples of Christ. We learn
the cost of discipleship, the patterns of discipleship, and the rewards of
discipleship.
In small
group Bible study we learn about and practice prayer, the channel of
communication that keeps us close to God
We practice
through relationships developed in small group Bible study ministry to each
other. We develop that interdependence that is critical to the Body of Christ.
Finally we
work together to go forth in mission efforts to reach those who are outside the
Body of Christ to offer hope for eternal life. Every believer is a missionary.
Working through and supported by a small Bible study group makes this most
effective.
2Ti
2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has
no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
