Bible study - this type of discipline is needed in all of our lives. We need to be spending time with God in His Word. If we don't know what the Bible teaches, how can we live a holy life? How can we know what to believe in? How can we know what to say when people question our faith and ask questions regarding the Bible and God? This is one of the many reasons we need to be in the Word daily.
My husband and I lead a youth group at our church for about 10 years. We saw 3 different sets of teens grow up and become young adults. When our own kids got to be the ages of needing a youth group, we stepped in and led them too. That group had such unity. It was beautiful. When one of the group was hurting, they all hurt. When one had something wonderful happen in their life, they all rejoiced together. They prayed together, hung out together, spent every moment they could with each other. There was no jealousy within the group. We had about 15 faithful kids who would come each week, including our own. We did events and had a meetings on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. My husband was the "fun guy" as he was better at planning and taking them on adventures, and I did most of the teaching. He and I made a great team. I would teach and he would add a story or two from his own life experiences. The kids related well to his stories too. The kids knew we were there for them....anytime.
Usually over the summer months we would cut back on our meeting times because of vacations and such. One week, close to the break, when the kids gathered to a Wednesday night meeting, I knew I had to talk to them. My own relationship with God was messed up as I had allowed too many outside influences to get in the way. I had strayed pretty far off the right path and knew I had to fix it. So, that particular night, I was honest with the group. I told them that I needed to step back as their teacher and work on getting my relationship with God back on track. This was very hard for me to do as I loved those kids, but as I told them that night, for me to be a good teacher for them, I had things to work on.
So....I decided to get serious with God. I sat down and repented of my laziness and my straying and asked God to help me. Yes, I read my Bible, but only to plan lessons for the kids. I was a slacker in that department for the most part. The next step I took was finding a study to do on my own. I found one of my favorite authors was starting a study through the New Testament, reading a chapter a day. She would put notes on the website each day. I began this study with her and took my own notes and compared them to hers. As time went on, I couldn't wait to get up each morning and dig into the Word. It became an addiction to me. I couldn't get enough of it. I can't explain it other than the Holy Spirit was working in a way I'd never experienced before in my life. This study went on for almost a year. It changed my life and how I read my Bible. It changed my outlook on this life in preparation for the next.
It had been told to me years later that parents should never be youth leaders for their own kids. I can agree with that, but at this particular time in our life, we were all our kids had. I wouldn't have traded those days or the relationships we built with all those kids in the group for anything. If I hadn't been in that position at that time, I wouldn't have known of my need for the Word in this very special way. Those kids and our God helped me see that.
As time went on, those kids grew up too, and the need for us to be leading the youth had not been the same. A lot of changes happened at our church during this time as well, so we didn't go back to leading them......however my desire for God and His Word hasn't gone anywhere. I know now that we need to study and learn all we can. We need to learn and apply what we learn to our life. One day we will answer to our God for our life on this earth. I believe that we will answer for how well we knew His Word. What excuses can we give a Holy God for not knowing what the Bible says and living by it? I can't think of any. Be faithful to Him. Let Him use you and study and ask questions when you don't understand. This is a good way to live. :)
Further verses --
2 Timothy 3:16
Colossians 3:16
Psalm 119:11
I like to hear the Enthusiasm in your voice when it comes to God!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right when you said "I believe that we will answer for how well we knew His Word." Right now for me it is more about living a life for God and not as much going to deep in his word. I think that is where I need to be right now. Plus, I am really enjoying where he is taking me.
i was just talking to a Friend yesterday. We both agreed that we can't put God in a box and he works differently in each of our lives. This is what you are getting at too.
ReplyDeleteMy friend impresses me that every time I ask about a topic or verse he knows right where to go in the word. At its not like he has to think about where the passage is.....he just knows the word that well that he gets the answer I need at the time without much effort. I'm not up to this level. So when i have people in my life that know the word so well.....I go to them to help me understand better. When the word starts coming toghether......wow! It's amazing.
Yes,....we do need to live it. We need to be the light for others around us. We need to be Jesus to the world. I agree with you. But at the same time we have to know how to be that way for the world through His word and let it change our lives for Him through the Holy Spirit.
I agree with you in how we talked awhile back....we need a balance. Just like pastor cousin said the other week......learning a skill in the classroom is meaningless unless you put it to use in a job. And we all know that most times what we learn in a classroom isn't anything like what we are expected to do or how things are run......but without the training, we would be lost all together.
God allows certain things to happen in our life....for Us to learn and grow and for Him to get His glory. I know you know this, but sometimes I get carried away and need a reminder myself. ☺️