Equipped for Service
October 5, 2017
The Bible in America Study reports that 62 percent of the people in the communities surrounding our churches would like to read the Bible more.[1] Another study reports 87 percent of the people in our churches want help understanding the Bible better.
Yet Bible reading is waning. Recent studies demonstrate that in one generation the number of occasional Bible readers has fallen by 20 percent—the equivalent of 700 people per day. If this trend continues, by 2040 two-thirds of Americans will have no meaningful connection with the Bible.
Contrast that to the thoughts of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) German pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident that resulted in his imprisonment in a concentration camp. He was tried and then executed by hanging as the Nazi regime was collapsing. He wrote,
“Because I am a Christian, therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learn to know the Holy Scriptures in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.”[2] —Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)
I believe in the centrality of scripture for the believer who is honestly seeking to follow and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Particularly as the faith community meets together in smaller care groups where all members can participate in the discussion there is an incredible potential for growth, transformation, encouragement and fruit bearing. The faith community is equipped for every good work as groups meet together to study and meditate on God’s word.
How have you benefitted from reading the Bible? How has your small group or care group been encouraged by discussing the scriptures?
pj
|
