Some people are really good at doing Bible studies. They pick a study and diligently work on it through each day at a regular time. I love those people. I used to be those people. Then 5 children moved into my house. And I joined another group of people. This new group doesn’t have a nice name like “Bible Study People.” Instead we are a group more commonly referenced casually as scatterbrained, eclectic, or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants. Most people try not to reference us at all (or they do so with hushed tones).
That’s okay. We know we’re a suspect group. That’s okay.
Last year I gave a talk to a MOPS group about how to find and cultivate our relationship with God in the years with preschoolers zipping around. Of course, I still have them zipping around, but perhaps I was considered credible because I survived the first three getting through that season. Regardless, I made three suggestions regarding Bible study during that talk, and each has become invaluable to me since that time. I knew what I shared before I shared it, but that day, something happened and I took hold of those suggestions and it’s given me a guilt-free, enriched year in my time with God. I thought I’d share those suggestions with you over then next few posts; maybe it’ll be just what the doctor ordered.
Don’t join a Bible study. This is a suggestion you have to prayerfully choose. You may be in a season of life when you need to be in a formal study group. You may need to get out of the house, socialize with other women, have a prayer focus that allows you to consider others (which often allows us to not feel so down about our own stuff). But sometimes a Bible study is the last thing in the world a busy, sleep-deprived mom of young’uns needs to add to her schedule.
Women are relational beings. We take on the burdens of others with such depth and compassion, and that takes energy. At some seasons in our lives, we don’t have that energy to give. A Bible study is new relationships, which may introduce more playdates or more phone time or more of something that you can’t add. If we are feeling like we need to draw unto the Lord, we need to be sure to draw near to Him.
A Bible study away from home means you have to prepare to leave the house. We all know that leaving the house comes with finding clothes that don’t have mom stains, prepping kids, or early dinner, or early bath, or rushing out of the house cause hubby got home from work late, or you got home from work late, or somebody starts crying cause they don’t want you to leave. It’s more activity that, in my experience, does not draw me closer to God. Instead, it’s another opportunity to make me feel that much more desperate for time with Him.
A Bible study away from home means travel. Gotta make sure there’s gas in the car. Gotta get clean out whatever seats aren’t clean in order to pick up other friends who may be carpooling to the study.
A Bible study with a book and a plan means finding time in the week to study and prepare for the group study. Sometime last year I went to the library to drop off some books. In the back of the library, I saw an acquaintance of mine engrossed in a large 3-ring binder and scribbling furiously. I whispered hello and she set her pencil down and heaved a sigh. I inquired about her activity. She said, “Oh, I’m in this bible study at church and I’ve had to miss the last 3 sessions because the kids were sick and I just haven’t had the time. They told me to at least try to work through the material so that I’d be aware of what they’d discussed. I have to be there in 45 minutes.” Oh my goodness!
Can we just put Romans 8:1 on that situation? There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This woman was serving God by serving her family when they were in need. So we reward her with homework that takes her away from her family? Given, this was a woman who takes on more than she should so many times (uh…sound familiar?). Actually, a group situation is ideal for her because it forces her to stop doing for others and just sit down. It would seem to me a better approach from the group would be, “We just want you there. Start with this week’s study and if you don’t get it done, just come.” Isn’t the point of the fellowship to be refreshed? She needed refreshing, not an assignment.
To go to a Bible study, I have spent entire days trying to prepare laundry, house, and dinner at breakneck speed. I have driven up to 45 minutes to get to a study group just to get away (before gas prices skyrocketed, of course); the best part of that time was the 90 minutes in the car blasting praise music. I have lost my peace with my children trying to clean out the van of their things that suddenly become invisible when I say “take your things in the house; don’t leave them in the van.” I have parked my children in front of videos so that I could get my Bible study homework done in time; and told them not to interrupt my time with God. Really? Tsk tsk on me! But we’re all works in progress, right?
What if I just left my Bible out on the dining room table or coffee table during the day? What if I just sat down to read a few verses at a time from the Proverb or Psalm of the date? And what if I just sang that verse or prayed that verse as I folded laundry? What if I got a CD of hymns that were scripture filled set to music and played it through the day to fill my ears with God’s Word?
That’s what I tried more this past year. And I spent more (peaceful, laughter-filled) time with my children. I got more done around the house. I discovered more “little verses” that were applicable in the day. And I didn’t miss the pressure of trying to get somewhere for a study. I feel closer to God just being in my life than in being in a Bible study.
There will be a season that this will change. I know that. Just two years ago, I was abundantly blessed by the 2 studies I was a part of. It was easy to get there, enriching to my soul and spirit, strengthened my friendships with other women, and supplemented my family life . Maybe I’ll join a BSF in the future. Maybe I’ll host a study in my home. Like I said at the start, this is approach to Bible study must be prayerfully chosen. God knows what you need and how to get it to you. I just encourage you to join a study with peace, not guilt.
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