2006-08-16 - Bible Studies

A new church year is upon us. At least for many it seems that church years start with school years. And it is one of both promise and opportunity. We have the promise of God to bless us when we seek his will and study his word. And we have the promise of his presence and power when we go and teach the world the good news of Jesus. That opportunity is exactly what Sunday school and bible study groups are all about. It is where we can be taught as disciples and renew the cycle by discipling others.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

In growing bible studies we grow God's kingdom one soul at a time in obedience to the Great commission found in Matthew 28. As a Sunday School director at my own church, I'd love to see Sunday school grow, not for any personal glory or for East Newnan's glory but for God's glory. We all can strive for high marks this year but it requires two things of everybody in obedience to the mission given to us by Christ: participation and invitation.

Participation: You must participate in bible study to grow in God's word and to know his will more clearly for your life. Commit now to being discipled this year - to coming to Sunday school or some other small group study in your community. Then if you are maturing in your faith and growing in God's spirit, commit to serving others as they seek to mature in their faith - commit to working in a group as a teacher or some other position.

Invitation: You must go and invite others to come with you. Invite your family; invite your friends; and invite your neighbors. Invite the young and the old. Even if they wouldn?t be in your class or group, invite them to come and grow in God's kingdom.

Participation and invitation are vital parts in our work here on earth to connect people to Christ. Join with God for that purpose.

IHFHBOH
Adam

adam@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org