Studying Scripture in Community–A Case Study Involving Clayton Christian Church
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My seminary students know that I am passionate about many subjects but one stands near the top of the list: We must always be studying the Bible in community. To be sure, I explore Scripture in the privacy of my Study, either at home or at my office on the campus. But I really get jazzed when I am able to study Scripture with other Christians, both in a congregational setting as well as a classroom setting at Lincoln Christian Seminary.
This past weekend (February 29-March 2, 2008) was a precious one for me. I had the privilege of teaching the Book of Revelation (Surprised?!) in Clayton, Indiana. I told the congregation that over the next two years I am trying to teach on Revelation as I continue to work on my commentary. I want to "try out" my study on Christians. I had the privilege of studying with nearly one hundred people at a special seminar on Friday evening and Saturday morning (and to several hundred at Sunday School) on how to read Revelation as a discipleship handbook. Their questions were perceptive; their hunger to know God’s Word encouraging; and their love for Jesus obvious. When I was driving home on Sunday afternoon, I marveled once again at how God can bring brothers and sisters together to feast on the Word. The sister of my third grade Sunday School teacher, Irene Cline, attended the sessions. People who knew my parents and even former high school classmates shared in the time. I marvel at how Jesus, the Living Word, and the Bible, the Written Word, bring and keep us together over the years.
Hats off to such fine congregations as those in Clayton, Indiana, Springfield, Illinois (West Side and South Side), the Christian Church in Mahomet, Illinois, the Atlanta Christian Church just up the road from the Seminary, the Southern Randolph Christian Church in Higbee, Missouri, the LeClaire Christian Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, and others. Your partnership in Bible study is a blessing to me.
In our studying in community we have asked questions and sought answers together. In studying in community, we have laughed and cried at the wonders of God’s grace and Word. In studying in community, we hold each other accountable, we grow in grace and truth, and I pray that we bless God in our efforts.
Thank you. As I read and offered teaching on Scripture, you listened well. May we obey well as a result of our times together. In other words, may we continue to be a commentary on John’s call to worship in Revelation 1:3:
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey the words of this prophecy because the time is nearer than it was when we were last together.
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