My yearning for spiritual growth has brought me to be part of various Bible studies at Edwards Church. There is a weekday one that is actually given on Tuesday mornings preceded by Meditation and the same one on Wednesday night preceded by Soup and bread. And, for many years we have also had a Sunday morning Bible study which for years had been led by the late Sue Dickerman. These two studies are very different. The weekday one is studyng a particular book of the Bible while the Sunday morning one is based on the lectionary. And the Sunday morning one had a “check-in” time so we knew what struggles, joys, we had had since we were together last. Another way of feeding the spirit.
I get teased about my Bible studies by family. “When are you ever going to graduate?” they ask. Or, “do you have to do two studies because you are flunking one of them?” For me Bible Study nourishes my spirit – hearing what scripture is saying to or in a lot of cases asking of me. Often even if we have studies a book of the Bible in the past, I find verses I didn’t remember being there. After thinking about why – it came to me that each time I’m studying something, I’m in a different place on my life’s journey. A verse or story that didn’t catch my eye previously now hits me full force because of where I am on life’s path.
People have said “You can study the Bible by yourself. You don’t need a class.” Well, I certainly need a class and accountability. I’m a procrastinator – I have all good intentions of reading the Bible each day and even put it on my to-do list but then I pick up a new mystery book and immerse myself in that. Later I realilze I haven’t read the BIBle like I said I would. The other problem for me is that I often don’t understand some of the stories – especially Jesus’ parables. And, when you are studying with a group, you get different insights. Sometimes a lot of questions arise as well. I strongly suggest Bible Study to everyone. Try it, you might like it as I surely do. Thanks be to God. AMEN. –Ellie Kell