5 things I’ve Learned from Studying the Bible Together
One of the greatest blessings we have as believers is studying the Bible together. In fellowship with one another we are reminded of things we didn’t yet know, we’re enriched through conversation, and encouraged that we are truly part of a family. Of course though, there’s more. In looking back over my life, writing this blog post was a fun exercise for me to see 5 things God has taught me through studying the books of the Bible with others for almost four decades now.
Studying the Bible with other believers has been a gift I’ve been able to experience my entire life, since I was little. There are little movie clips in my memory throughout my life that have impressed on me the importance of gathering together and opening His word.
One of my earliest memories of studying the Bible happened at a place that greatly shaped my faith, summer camp. While there I realized there were older, cooler, college-age counselors who believed everything I had learned at church. I remember one counselor whose shirt read, “This world is not my home.” I realized during our time together that she really believed that!
In our daily Bible study time there were silent moments of girls not wanting to answer with fear of saying the wrong thing. I remember the honest questions me and my cabin mates had as pre-tweens when we did speak up. Camp was a great place for many of us to start our Bible study journey.
At camp I learned the importance of prioritizing time together to study His word.
While camp remained a constant every summer in my life, my family went to a church with a great youth group and soon I was in a Middle School small group led by a couple older women. Older as in, they were young Moms and not our Moms! Today this is a term I’d be fine with having placed on me though I have a middle schooler myself now, so young Mom I may not be! I remember laughing uncontrollably on the couch with my best friend, not paying attention to the serious moments of study.
There were small group sleepovers, trying on clothes and dancing to the latest hit songs and taking pictures we’d later develop at the local drugstore. I don’t remember what we studied during these years, but I do know even then it made a huge impact on my faith to know other peers who believed as I did.
Through these times I learned that studying the Bible together is fun.
Then there was High School. During these years my faith matured and I studied more with our church congregation and at youth group. I was also called to step out and not just be a participant, but to lead Bible studies. I led a Bible study in my public high school because I wanted others to know about Jesus. We met before school in the Biology classroom and sometimes at my house. I can’t really remember exactly what we studied, but I’ll tell you I remember some kids went because their Mom’s wanted them there. Others came with lots of questions.
During my high school years I felt pretty alone in my faith, so these times of sharing the gospel were absolutely for others, but it blessed me too. We had a group name, LOFT, for Living Our Faith Together. Our goal wasn’t to read the entire Bible but to study the word of God and how it applied to our life. For many this was the first time they opened or had God’s word.
I learned that studying the Bible with others is worth it.
Then, there’s college. While I did attend a Christian college studying the Bible in a small group was still very important. I led some girls younger than myself in a small group and it was oh so fun. Don’t worry, we had a name too. Better than Nugs, as in our group was better than the Dining Common’s chicken nuggets. I didn’t make this name up and take no credit for it’s silliness, but that’s what we called ourselves and yes, t-shirts were made.
Being part of the body of Christ calls us to have fellowship with one another and in college this rang true. I couldn’t tell you the specific Bible study we did or necessarily our format as it was about twenty years ago, but I do remember sweet times with those ladies and learned the importance of discipleship. We all had very different background, concerns and trials but I’m so glad we came together to meet.
Everything I already knew about small groups rang true. Studying the Bible together was worth it, it was fun, and it was a priority.
Our times together showed me that in Bible study we gain accountability that matters as we get to wrestle with our questions, fears, anxieties and hopes together all around the Word.
In the years since graduation there have been three primary modes of studying the Bible with others for me. First, I’ve been able to be a part of a Bible study group all based around our church. Many churches have these as a way to make a church feel smaller and if you’re able to do that, I highly recommend it. I love that we’ve been in fellowship with people in all different seasons, whether another married couple, single person, or couple who are empty nesters. Our church provides the specific topic we discuss based on sermons and I love hearing a different perspective based on where the group members are at in their life.
I’ve also been able to be a part of larger Bible studies when the boys were younger. Often churches host women’s Bible studies during the week either in the morning, evening, or both! Being with other women of faith with a common goal of growing in your faith is priceless. Childcare is often provided and if you’re lacking fellowship this season, I highly recommend you look to your local church as a great option to get connected.
Community Bible Study or Bible Study Fellowship are two groups that come to mind that can be found around the world, offer childcare, and do a more in-depth Bible Study. They provide a simple Bible study method that has been used for years and will provide you with a much greater understanding of God’s word. Their method of Bible Study hasn’t changed over the years and is non-denominational in nature which I liked. These studies often go through an entire book of the Bible and their studies take a bit of time to work through!
Over the past several years as my boys have gotten older I’ve had the privilege of leading a small group of women in study’s truthfully, as an act of obedience to something I believe God has called me to do. I was hoping there was a study already going that I could join in, but when I learned there wasn’t, I stepped up and said yes to leading. We’ve studied some amazing books, a post for another day, and have learned a lot.
I’ve learned that studying the Bible together in these years takes sacrifice.
Sacrifice because it’s now time spent preparing our home and preparing our time together. Sacrifice because when my world feels full, I’m called to not look to my interests, but the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Sacrifice because when I’m tired I’m reminded to not stop meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. (Hebrews 10:25). Sacrifice that makes this season a bit harder, but because God has shown me all the other blessings and because I know it’s what He’s called me to, it’s a sacrifice worth making. I’m always learning new things and I truly believe the Lord always is the true orchestrator of these groups, putting each member together at just the right time and in just the right place.
This past year I got back to studying the Bible with other believers and the same lessons I learned at twelve ring true today. I did feel the Lord giving me the grace to step away for a season after a hard time, but the Holy Spirit has me back and ready to study the Bible with other believers once again.
In my own life I see how easy it would be to pass on being part of a Bible study, even after all the things I’ve learned, but I’d encourage you that we do have enough time in our daily lives to make it a priority. You don’t have to worry about if you’ve studied the Bible for a long period of time or are a new believer, just start.
I prefer studies that go through books of the Bible over a topical study and encourage you to research the beliefs of the writer before diving in. I really enjoy Kelly Minter as a Bible teacher as we’re going through Esther and also studies from the Daily Grace Company as they are Bible-based and not focused on a particular teacher. There are a lot of teachers out there now with so many opinions, be sure your study is Bible based, not offering opinions that aren’t grounded in the word!
There will be seasons for you in studying the Bible as well. It’s ok if they look different than mine as most likely they will! I share my story that He’s written of studying the Bible in community to show you He is always working, always teaching us, and always growing us.
If you’ve got little kids, pray now that they’d connect with a small group of believers to study the Bible with. While you’re season feel full, the best way to get connected is to step out in faith and ask for connection. You are in the right place and season to come along other women in your everyday life and be encouraged through the reading of scripture together.
If you’re older, find a group through your church or in a trusted online community. If you don’t know where to start, pray. Ask that God would open your eyes and give you wisdom that you too would have the blessing of fellowship when we study the Bible together. If I weren’t homeschooling, I’d likely consider this a good place in life to join my church’s women’s study to go through their reading plan and have a place of growth. In small groups we’re able to share various prayer requests with a trusted group of women, something we shouldn’t take for granted as believers!
Throughout the last several years of studying the Bible together Colossians 3:12-17 have been the verses I go back to when I think of group Bible study. Starting in verse 12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…” Verse 15 goes on to say, “And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
I love these verses because they show us the posture of our hearts and they also call us to action. Go study the Word with other believers friends, or if you’re new to the Bible, take the simple steps and ask your church to be connected to their small group ministry. It’s a gift that’ll bring you far more than the five things I’ve learned!
Now is a great time to start. The ways He’ll bless you through it in your daily life are endless and I bet you’ll look back as I have on the bigger picture and see how a little act of stepping out to study the Bible with others can make a huge impact on your life. You’ll be encouraged in so many different ways, I hope you join other believers and study His word together!
