A Comedy of Terrors
Small group Bible studies have occupied a rather large part of my life. And over the years, they have taken on many different forms. In the beginning (that’s a reference to Genesis 1:1, by the way), some of these Bible studies were invite-only. I’m telling you, we weren’t playin’. And you’d get kicked out if you didn’t bring a study. Now those were fun! Talk about the fear of God. Or man… no one could really tell.
Some Bible studies felt like I was part of a secret society. The first rule of Bible study was that you didn’t talk about Bible study. Man, did we feel important. Thankfully, none of us knew what the word gnostic meant at that point in our spiritual deep dive. But Lord help the suckers on the outside looking in (Mark 3:31, Matthew 8:12). Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful?
Other Bible studies were all about performance. And man, you better bring it… no, not to the lost, but to all your Christian friends who studied the same exact passage. And oh, how embarrassing it was when you’d stand behind the pulpit (yes, I said pulpit) with nothing to say (not that I ever did that – 1 Peter 3:15)
I’ve also led Bible studies (as far back as my early 20s, mind you), during which I critiqued everybody one by one. I thought of this as a kindness I was passing on to them. And when they couldn’t see this, I was just at a loss for words (Proverbs 27:6, Matthew 13:15). Praise the Lord if you didn’t know me in my early 20s. And for those who did, my sincerest apologies.
And lest we forget the “sharing is caring” group, these were essentially Christian group therapy sessions (Proverbs 11:14). Now this is the best kind of group to get all the gossip prayer requests. In groups like these, by the time every member had shared, you were left with about 15 minutes to study the actual Bible… or not, it’s your call.
And then just a few years ago I was in the, “Oh no! The church-hopping, not-submitted new guy is trying to hijack the night” Bible study (2 Samuel 22:45)*. This was where he was giving counsel to anyone and everyone, including men twice his age. It was equal parts painful and hilarious.
Please excuse my irreverent and incessant use of cross-references so far. In the spirit of Bible studies, I figured I at least better back up my words with scripture. And sometimes I think I’m funny.
But laying aside my paltry attempts at humor, whether I was attending Bible studies, leading Bible studies, growing or splitting them (multiplying to divide of course), small group Bible studies have always held a near and dear place in my heart. In fact, much of my spiritual development and involvement within the body of Christ has occurred in one of these settings.
After reading such a macabre list of events, I could see why some would think that a guy like me would lose all faith in Bible studies. But it’s quite the contrary. Despite all the weirdness that can exist in a small group Bible study, studying the Bible with others is one of the greatest gifts we have as believers. It is a privilege that we get to open God’s Word together, speak and cry out to the Father together, grow in love together, and look for ways to seek out the lost together. But we can only do this rightly if our groups are biblically healthy and mature.
Finding the Keys
It’s 9 p.m. on the evening of December 19, 2018. I am waiting in the exquisitely beautiful Mumbai airport with a team of four other men from Midtown Baptist Temple. We had just concluded a whirlwind 14-day mission trip to India. During our time there we held two conferences with Pastor Christudas Earla in Pedappally and Cherla and one conference in Rayagada with Pastor Pradeep Limma.
The layover in Mumbai is close to 10 hours long. Seth Harper is sick as can be, lying on the ground of the airport floor. At this point, he may die on us; we haven’t quite yet determined whether he’s dying or just sound asleep. Pastor Chris Best and Alvaro Briones are getting some things done at a nearby table. And Brian Bustos and I decide to go for a walk. After all, whatever Seth has, we don’t want it.
Now I suppose after trips like these you’ll find yourself looking to evaluate what worked and ways to improve. So after Brian and I have discussed the affairs of the trip, we begin to speak about the ministry back home and, in particular, the Bible studies we are a part of. During our conversation, I write down 5 separate words:
Obedience
Transparency
Humility
Readiness
Edification
Well, now it’s 3:30 in the morning and we’re flying to Paris and I’m still thinking about our conversation at the airport. So I pulled out my phone and while I was looking over those words, I felt compelled to continue to write. This is essentially what was written along with some additional thoughts the Lord has given me in the following months.
Obedience
…if we truly and directly faced God’s Word, we would then be accountable to it.
This must be our highest priority whenever we get into the Word. Over any other agenda, our obedience to the scriptures must be the most pronounced focus. It cannot be hidden or understated. With excitement we should always collectively be racing to that finish line, encouraging one another to continue in simple and maturing obedience to the precepts of God’s Word.
Our pursuit does not begin with a fawning for knowledge, nor to seek out some hidden truth. Our pursuit begins by putting on virtue (2 Peter 1:5-7). In the scriptures, the word virtue is connected to power, action, and high character. When I consider the actionable nature of this word, I think of a person who is willing to say yes to the Lord, living a life that simply agrees with God and is demonstrative of his Word. The words and behavior of their person affirm the commands of God. When God gives direction, the virtuous person says, “Yes, sir.” They may not have all the information or knowledge, but what they do know, they’re willing to obey.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
When practicing true obedience, the personal application of truth becomes the most important endeavor. And yet what’s interesting is that in many small groups we would rather chase after some deep doctrinal or prophetic understanding of a text in the attempt to avoid personal application. I’ve noticed that, at times, we scoff at the personal or devotional application as if it is just the surface reading. But in all actuality, we know that if we truly and directly faced God’s Word, we would then be accountable to it.
The Bible should change your life! It’s not complicated. And yet I’ve found that sometimes as we overuse charged jargon like this, the opposite result is met. Instead of seeing slow gradual growth and consistent obedient change in the life of the believer, the Bible student retreats to academia because “constant” change (every small group meeting) seems impossible or too daunting.
And from that perspective, I would agree. To muster up some radical change every two weeks is not normally healthy, nor does it emulate any real and steady relationship, let alone the one we have with the Lord. So because of this, it is vital that Bible study facilitators model what healthy obedience to the Word of God is and, likewise, what it is not. Biblical change is possible. And yes, at times it is required that people make life-altering decisions. But at some point we’ve got to get off the roller coaster. I believe simple daily and incremental obedience in a Bible study can help to accomplish this.
What we’re looking for is a willingness to apply what we’ve learned from the Bible directly to our lives. That’s it, nothing more. Don’t worry about all the things you don’t understand right now. Just simply obey what God has revealed to you in his Word. One step at a time.
Transparency
Bible study becomes a wonderful time where you can share with others how God is working directly and honestly in your life.
So much of our Christian walk (especially with others) is lived on the surface. Most of us are afraid to open up to others. To let others in. And so we not only keep others out, but we keep God out as well. Our Bible study is regular, safe, and doctrinally sound and our prayers are non-affecting. They are polished and proper but powerless. We have a pseudo-walk with God, but our intimate knowledge of him (as he is working in us) is tangential at best and looks more like a greatest hits album than anything showing any form of consistency or actual growth.
To this I say: yeah, everyone knows and loves that song; there’s a reason it’s on every compliation album. But what is God doing in your life right now, today? Where is the song that only you can sing? No one else knows that song, and yet we need to hear it. Because that was a song God gave you. As this open and real communication occurs, Bible study becomes a wonderful time where you can share with others how God is working directly and honestly in your life.
When we are transparent, avenues are created where the Word of God can shine specifically on current, real situations. To this end, the Bible actually becomes noticeably effective to the saved and to the lost. When this occurs, the scriptures become more than simply a rulebook. They become life-giving.
And yet it is very important to know that vulnerability is not the goal. It is simply one of the vehicles that bring us closer to the goal. I believe many times we can think, “Wow, what a terrific Bible study!” simply because there was an emotional response. But this is an error on our behalf to assume that emotionalism is the destination. Emotionalism does not have the capacity to fix anything and it should not be left alone as a guide. Agency is required, specifically as it relates to the obedience of God’s Word.
I’ve been in too many Bible studies where everyone’s crying and every emotion you can think of is present, and yet none of it is yielding the believer to a closer walk with God. It is akin to Esau seeking his birthright bitterly with tears. There’s a nice show, but no actionable repentance towards God. Too often we can have a love affair with our emotions. And boy does it feel good. But it doesn’t accomplish much.
Humility
humbling myself with what I do know is of the greatest concern.
Roosters crow for a few good reasons. Most commonly people hear roosters in the early morning as nature’s alarm clock. But another important reason for this crowing is to claim territory and let other roosters in the area know that they are trespassing on his stomping grounds.
Now I don’t know about the ladies, but sometimes guys can be like roosters in Bible study, just crowing about all the things they know of the Word whether the opposite sex is present or not. This is despite the fact that Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
So whatever you’ve learned in the book, it’s only by the grace of God on your life. Philippians 1:6 expounds upon this: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Galatians 2:20 should make things painfully obvious that your life is not your own: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Simply put, there is no room for bragging in the Kingdom of God.
Healthy Bible studies can’t afford this type of showoff behavior because it breeds a culture of one-upmanship and, more importantly, is unabashedly unbiblical. Mature Bible studies are not about what you know of the Bible, but rather that you are known of God. And out of this mindset the focus realigns to a merciful God who knows and loves you. From this thankful vantage point, I am reminded of my accountability to a loving and just creator who has expectations for my life. And now, knowing a bunch of stuff—in the face of an All-Knowing God—doesn’t sound as impressive, but humbling myself with what I do know is of the greatest concern.
In addition, I have found that it’s easy to tell other people what’s wrong with their lives. But it’s another thing to humbly walk with them showing how they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). It’s easy to be a critic. It’s easy to point out, as the perfect spectator, all the flaws of everyone around you. Like the fan who has never played the game but is soundly available for every critique, the judging Bible study or church member does little to affect change and a lot to disrupt unity.
If there’s one thing (though the Lord knows there are many) that has brought about humility in my life, it’s the ministry, because I can’t do it. No matter how hard I try. I always am brought back to the place where I realize I need the Lord. I’m incapable on my own. Thus, being a doer of the word brings humility. Not because of my “doing”, but because in the place of that “doing” I see my inability. And I am reminded once again that I need God. In this place, I’ve got no time to be the critic. All I know is that I need to be submitted to the Word of God and active in his work.
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
Readiness
This readiness of mind is a mind of preparation and execution.
Acts 17:11 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.
Having readiness of mind is to have a willing mind. And would to God that we would have individuals in our Bible studies that possess this character, believers who are willing to participate. Willing to dive in. Willing to embrace the scriptures. Willing to challenge their brothers and sisters in the Lord. Willing to fight for what they believe in and willing to warn others of things unprofitable and harmful to the body of Christ.
This readiness of mind is a mind of preparation and execution. It is in those who attend are not looking to be spectators, but are eagerly hoping to enter the fray. And as leaders, you want to engage people at every level they have ability.
Now this should go without saying, but studying the Bible in the flesh is awful. And yet we do it so often. Frequently, we study the Bible or attend small group begrudgingly. Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.” And man, if this isn’t the case for our Bible studies as well. What should be one of the sweetest moments of the week ends up smelling unsavory due to deadened, uninterested parties.
Healthy Bible studies require willing minds. Pray for people who are willing to receive the words of the Lord, to study to show themselves approved. Pray for people like Ezra, who was called a “ready scribe” and was always ready to write down the words of God.
Edification
Does your Bible study provide rest to those who are weary?
To edify means to build up. It has the same root as the word edifice, which refers to a building. The word (and all of its derivatives) does not show up in the Old Testament. You won’t find it in the Gospels either. The first time the word appears in any form is Acts 9:31, and every instance of the word is directed to the church age.
To provide some context, right before this verse we see that there was great persecution being waged against the early church. But in Acts 9:31, it says that following this time of great trial, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
What we see from this verse is that their ability to rest from the persecution gave them space to be edified. The space and time of reprieve (which a Bible study within the body of Christ can clearly provide) made it possible for them to be built up. So what does this mean? It means that those times of rest from trials and problems are necessary for you to be edified or built up in the Lord. People are going through real problems. Does your Bible study provide rest to those who are weary?
The next passage where we find the word edify is Romans 14:19: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” So what’s the point? It’s simply this: I can only be a person of edification when I stop focusing on myself and I begin to seek the welfare of others. As I submit to this passage, I become more interested in building others up than myself.
In Romans 14, the context is all about eating meat that was served unto idols. There were some who had just accepted Christ as their Savior. And they couldn’t justify eating meat that was offered to idols and then sold on the cheap in the marketplace. On the other hand, more mature believers knew that the idol was simply a carved piece of wood or stone, so they didn’t have a problem buying the cheaper meat.
Romans 14:20 “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Now if you weren’t paying attention, you may have missed it. Once again, edification is about seeking how to build someone else up versus tearing them down. But not only that, edification is strongly tied to faith.
In 1 Corinthians 10:23, once again the word edify is brought up. And once again, it is regarding food served unto idols. In this passage, Paul is telling the church that true edification happens when we seek to build up others and not ourselves, choosing not to offend others as well. Why? Because this could shake their foundation.
But what is that foundation? And what are we building upon? You see, edification cannot simply be the building up of people. Edification is about the building up of faith. It’s not about me getting stronger, but my faith in Christ’s strength in my weakness. Because let’s be honest, the last thing we really need is more of me built up.
To further define biblical edification, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 shows a difference between it and comfort: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” The Word speaks of comforting and edifying as two different tasks.
In this passage, Paul is speaking of the coming day of the Lord, preparing them for what is to come. So how is this passage a message of edification? Because even in the warning of coming judgement, our faith in God is enlarged. Not our own personal faithfulness or our own growing spiritual ability, but our faith in what God will accomplish according to his Word.
Especially as it relates to small group Bible studies, edification is a different function than exhortation and comfort. It has a different role and we must be acquainted with it if we are going to have healthy, mature Bible studies. As we study the Word of God together, we should not just comfort those who are hurting, but also edify them, building them up in their faith that God is enough.
Opening the Door
After all these biblical principles, it’s important to know that healthy Bible studies can come in many different shapes and sizes. There’s not just one way to do it. We are all gifted in different ways and should allow our study of the Word of God to reflect that gifting. In fact, the sooner we realize that it’s not about a singular methodology, the better off we’ll be.
With that said, strong methodology can be highly effective and a great tool of the local church to have. And if your church leadership is directing the flock with a particular focus as it concerns small group Bible study, it is your responsibility to submit to that structure. But where flexibility is allowed, I have found that opening the door to a successful Bible study is less about manner or method and more about the five keys mentioned above.
In closing, I’ll leave you with these questions:
Will you obey and encourage others to obey the specific instruction of God’s Word today?
Will you be open and transparent with God and others so the Word of God can be directly and specifically applied to your life and circumstances?
Will you humbly approach God’s Word (not as a critic, but in submission) and esteem others as better than yourself?
Will you have a willing mind to be a participant in your Bible study? Not coming to the Word of God or your study in a begrudging manner, but with hope and optimism regarding the promises and people of God?
Will you choose to edify the body of Christ with the Word of God so their faith in God is increased?
If you are interested in learning more about the ministry of Pastor Dan Reneau and how bible study impacted that, check out this episode of the Postscript.
To learn more about implementing evangelistic bible studies in your community, check out this workshop from Mission Focus.
Dan Reneau is the lead pastor of Living Faith Lee’s Summit.