Bible Study - What Was Your Response?

by Missy Grant

“Do you think it is written too strongly? It is lengthy, not always good for a blog.”
My reply was, “Nope, it is well written. I would have hit harder. Thanks for writing it.”

Those words were part of an email discussion I was having with one of our gifted blog contributors. Sue, wrote a few weeks ago a rather detailed listing of the reasons to attend bible study. How did her post sit with you? Were you cheering or jeering at the end of it? More importantly, did you ask the questions at the end of the post? What did the Lord say to you? Do you remember her final question? I’ll refresh your memory….

"Am I willing to pray about it? (He could say ‘No, it’s not for you this year’—there is no risk with God.)"

I don’t believe in over committing --A phrase which has become synonymous with a woman’s activities. I believe a no is a no and it is a word which should be used more often (always filled with grace!). That being said, I also see women making choices for every activity, hobby, and friendly gathering available and then claiming too full of a schedule when the Lord puts Himself in front of them. Gathering together is commanded in scripture. Hebrews 10: 24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

I was told this phrase once…do not prioritize your schedule, but schedule your priorities. In other words, don’t take your huge list of life activities and try to jockey them against each other and adjust and push and shove to make it work. Take that which is most important and schedule it. Of the items left – consider saying no. My challenge to you is to schedule your priorities and yes I am being so bold to say time spent with other believers in His word is a priority. Which list is Ladies Bible Study on in your life?

Ask yourself this question. Are you forsaking gathering regularly with a community of believers under His word which is for the purpose of shifting our gaze from us to Him? A time when our children are cared for so we can feel the Lord’s breath on our cheek as He speaks to us. A time when women who are older and younger than we are can sit shoulder to shoulder – knee to knee—hand to hand and worship Him. A time when we can share the aches of life, the joys of victory, the depth of thought. A time when we can laugh, cry, or just sit quietly.

It is easy in any season of life to fabricate reasons to do or not do something. Ouch…it is ok….you can grumble at me for that comment. But before you do, consider this. When was the last time you bowed to the Lord and said, “…not my will Lord, but yours…”

O Mighty Lord, you are the Word of Life. I want to honor you with my activities. I want my yes to be your yes. I want my no to be a prayerfully considered no. Allow me to rest in your decision for my activities. Help me to trust your provision for my emotional, spiritual, and fellowship needs. Lord, I praise you that I live in a community where bible study is available to me. We praise your precious name. Amen.

Reasons to Come to Bible Study

by Sue Donaldson

In my former working-fulltime, single life, I longed to attend Women’s Bible Study. It seemed so luxurious to take a couple of hours out during the day to meet with other women and soak in God’s Word.

Finally, I got married. Two weeks in Maui, then our first Sunday as a married couple, I heard the announcement: the new quarter of Women’s Bible Study was beginning Tuesday. I went—I needed girlfriends. This was a new town, a new church, a new life.

That was over twenty years ago. I missed one quarter because Bonnie was a noisy nurser.

To be honest, I haven’t always wanted to go. In fact, I reconsider every year – open to new ways to use my Thursday mornings. It was challenging (to say the least) to attend with babies, toddlers, kindergarten schedules, and part-time work schedules. (yada, yada, yada. . .)

There are always reasons not to go – I may even use one someday.

Here are some reasons to go, anyway:

1. To get to know women you have gone to church with for years but didn’t even know their names.

2. To share your prayer needs in a small group for 9 months.

3. To hear how God is working and has worked in others’ lives—miracles are hidden in everyone’s journey!

4. To not just read your Bible, but study deeper down through its many layers.

5. To make sure you read your Bible – accountability is a beautiful and necessary thing.

6. To pray for new and old friends.

7. To see that you are not alone in your struggles.

8. To see how God’s Word applies to your life right now in a big way.

9. To get to know older women (who don’t seem so old once you do get to know them) – they are wise and gracious, and have not just fallen off the turnip truck, as my mother would say.

10. To get to know younger women (they are smart and beautiful and can teach you much.)

11. To feel a greater part of your church family.

12. To learn what your spiritual gifts are and use them (they get better with use.)

13. To exercise the fruit of the Spirit (always helpful in a group setting.)

14. To make yourself vulnerable to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life through another person.

15. To allow others to see how God has worked in your life – you don’t just need them, they need to know you. You bring your own flavor to the table.

I know circumstances can disallow your attending. An evening study may work better in your lifestyle.

But, we can usually make something happen that we want to make happen – we’re smart and strong and motivated women, after all – and we have a big God Who listens to our heart’s desires. (We know how to “shake and make happen” as well as “shake and bake.”)

If you think I’m stepping where I shouldn’t be, at least ask yourself these questions (and you don’t need to tell me your answers):

1. Why don’t I want to go to Women’s Bible Study?

2. Does God want me to go?

3. Where else in my life am I getting regular fellowship with women who are different from myself? Older than myself? Younger than myself?

4. Do I need accountability in the Word?

5. Does someone there need my friendship? Will I take the risk, for the sake of the Kingdom?

6. Am I willing to pray about it? (He could say “No, it’s not for you this year.”-- there is no risk with God.)

I have to admit, number 3 above is my favorite – we need each other, ladies, and often we need people that we wouldn’t necessarily choose. And, they need us.

Pray about it. I’m on vacation, so you can get over being mad at me while I’m gone. I’ll be happy to pray about it with you when we get back.

Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one (wo)man sharpens another.”

Today’s prayer is an obvious one:

“Lord, do you want me to go to Women’s Bible Study? If so, help me to want to go. If so, help me to go even if I don’t want to. If so, make it happen (You actually are the Shaker and Maker.) Can’t wait. Should be good if it’s where you’re leading me! Amen and amen.”