Establishing Priorities For Our Bible Classes
By: Oran Rhodes
Sometimes we forget just what is to be first in our lives and our priorities become confused. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Mt. 6:33). In relationship to proper priorities is the need to study the Bible. How high does this effort rate on your list? By practice it is noticed that many see very little value in better knowing God's Will, for they absent themselves regularly from the periods of our study together. That needs to be changed!
On the other hand, we also need to be sure that we have our priorities in correct order as far as our Bible classes are concerned. Just doing something for the sake of doing it, or because we have always done it, or because everyone else is doing it, is no good. It would do us good to stop and consider three or four things that could help us not only to appreciate but also to do a more effective job in our Bible classes. Please seriously consider:
1. WHAT ARE WE TO STUDY? The B-I-B-L-E. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). Time should not be spent on think-so's and suppositions and what-if's. "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness" (2 Timothy 2:16). Neither should we ever be caught using denominational material, nor "brotherhood material" which is not centered in the Bible. If we want to have good, faith-building, soul strengthening Bible classes, then we must use the time we have for what we claim they are - classes in the Bible; "...for I trust in thy word" (Psalms 119:42).
2. WHY ARE WE TO STUDY THE BIBLE? First of all we are to study because it is a command. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). Secondly, it is necessary in order to fulfill the command to teach. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe" (Hebrews 5:12, 13). Thirdly, in fact it is essential that we be prepared to any and every good work. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Fourthly, we desperately need to study God's Word to keep us from sin. Nothing can be substituted for it. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalms 119:11).
3. HOW ARE WE TO STUDY THE BIBLE? We are to study diligently with the view of our growth and establishment in the faith in mind. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do those things, ye shall never fall" (2 Peter 1:10). We must make certain to handle correctly the word since our salvation is dependent upon it, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). In studying the Bible, the only way we can truly correctly approach it is if we have a real love for and a real desire to know the truth. "And with all deceivabliness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
4. HOW MUCH ARE WE TO STUDY THE BIBLE? The scriptures show the value and importance of studying your Bible daily. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Hit and miss study is not what will effectively benefit your spirituality. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Psalms 1:2). Until we reach maturity of knowledge and of faith, which in this life we never will, then we must continue our study of God's Word, for "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way" (Psalms 119:104).
5. WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT FROM THIS STUDY? There will be proper growth when study is done according to the precepts previously given. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18a). Through the word of God we then have guidance for our sojourn upon this earth. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalms 119:105). Ultimately the result should be our own salvation and the salvation of others with whom we come into contact. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Timothy 4:16).
Every congregation occasionally needs to re-examine their priorities for their Bible classes and see to it that they are kept in their proper order. Bible classes are for the study of the Bible that all may grow in knowledge and in spirituality. That study must be done with a love for truth and must be done regularly for the result to be beneficent to souls. Thus, great emphasis should be placed upon personal study, but great effort must also be expended toward having the best Bible classes that are possible with all the brethren in attendance. That is a major task, but it is important enough that the effort needs to be made.