Getting more from . . . Bible Class

Getting more . . . participate more

If you have not figured it out yet, let me be plain goal, or the aim, of this series is about how to get more out of the elements of our assembly, our gathering together as the church so that we may enjoy the assembly even more and get more out of it.

Psalm 100:1–2 NASB95

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

Psalm 100:3–5 NASB95

3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

Participation, Christianity is not a spectator sport, it is an eternal worship of our eternal God. It is coming before him with gladness, or here in this version it joyfulness.

We have looked at how to get more from:

(slide) Our Assemblies - why we assemble and benefits of assembly

(slide) Our Singing - Our verbal offering of praise and edification

(slide) Our Prayers -Our prayers for others and the body of Christ

(slide) The Lords Supper - Our time to commune with the Lord and as a family

(slide) The Offering - the reason, to help carry on the work of the Church

(slide) The Preaching - well you get that enough so won’t ct comment on this one now.

(Slide) Why do you think we have Bible Classes?

(Slide) Why do you think others do not have Bible Class?

Bible classes give an opportunity to participate more in the assembly, another way to serve the Lord with gladness. They are not attended by all nor do all see the benefits of Bible classes. When done right Bible classes can be a catalyst to help people to seek the Lord more on a deeper level in the study of God’s Word and it helps increase growth personally and maturity of the body too.

I. Role of the Bible Class

(slide) When you think about Bible class, what opportunities do you see?

Below are not on a slide, leave it that way, encourage discussion first

Opportunity for both adults and children normally on Sunday morning and Wednesday night.

Smaller and more intimate than the general assembly

Class participation is encouraged

It is opportunity for others to teach

Opportunity to get to know the participants on a deeper level spiritually too

(slide) What about benefits, what benefits do you see?

Below are not on a slide, leave it that way, encourage discussion first.

To study God’s Word on a deeper, in more detail level (both textual and topical) - as you know most of the items I teach are textual (expository) - but this allows for more time to look at things verse by verse. In topical to delve in more and develop more.

Questions are encouraged both from the teacher and the participants - it’s less formal and less rigid format allowing for interaction

Sharing one’s knowledge of the Bible and their understanding - Hey when I preach it is me talking you listening, but in Bible class you talk and share your knowledge and understanding too!

Helps in spiritual growth

Spiritual growth is directly correlated with knowledge of the Word.

The Word helps us to grow up.

1 Peter 2:1–3 NASB95

1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

The Word helps us to be built up.

1 Peter 2:4–5 NASB95

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The more often you study, the more you grow.

Other benefits

Fellowship of studying with other believers; to walk and to journey together as seekers

Comments, questions from the participants help everyone, including the teacher grow too. May give some insight to a passage someone else did not see or notice.

Now we have been talking about benefits, how about this.

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Be approved by God because you are not ashamed and are accurately handling, dividing the Word.

While in general Bible classes are not as well attended as the general assembly, we here have a greater percentage that do, but to get more, lets look at some suggestions.

II. Getting more out of the Bible Class

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

(Slide) How do you think you could gain more out of Bible Class?

Here are some ideas, suggestions

Attend - Hey you need to attend if you are going to get something more from class; attend regular so not to miss out on current study; most bible classes are done on a series or book and when you miss you miss important material

Prepare - Find out in advance what is going to be studied the next class so you can read, study, prepare any questions you may have if they are not addressed in the class. You get out what you put in, if you study ahead you will get more out of the class. I make the scriptures available early so you can know what is coming, look at the announcement slides or ask me and I can text you the study scriptures.

Contribute - Get involved, come ready to discuss the subject matter, and questions you may want to ask or points you may want to bring out from your own personal study before the class. Classes are more exciting for everyone when more people are involved. Be sure if you do not understand something to ask questions, we are all seekers seeking to know Jesus more and none of us have the market on knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Hey as a teacher I love input, questions, sometimes I prodded myself to dig deeper or to see things in a different light, or focus than I did in my prep work. And hey, I know I have been wrong before and I always want to remain teachable myself.

Teach One of the best ways to grow is to teach, it gets you to study deeply on something to be able to teach it to others. (add in type of time put into studying for a 22 minute sermon or 40 min bible class) by teaching you can ensure that you are going to study before, you are going to be in attendance and are going to be fully prepared to discuss the subject matter

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Assist - Maybe you are not a teacher, but a way to prepare to do that is to help the teacher in preparation, you can be given something to research and write about and give to the teacher to put into the lesson. Most of the men that I do studies with are on bible study habits and they don’t even realize it at first that they are helping me in preparation too at the same time when I get their thoughts before putting together the final lesson. Assisting maybe in a children or youth class helping to wrangle or get the kids involved.

Pray - Pray for open heart and open mind for what we can learn in and through a Bible class. when you study, ask for knowledge, wisdom and understanding. When you prepare if you are going to teach ask for guidance through His Word so as to rightly divide it.

Psalm 119:10–11 NASB95

10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Psm119:

Not on a slide but use as a discussion point (time willing) - break down this verse, look at what it calls for us to do, and why, and then the results.

lead to encouragement / invitation