SARAH IVILL|CONTRIBUTOR

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. Many women I know associate fall with the beginning of another school year. But I associate it with a new year of women’s ministry, particularly a new year of women’s Bible studies. I am excited that many churches are gearing up to kick-off a year of helping women grow in their relationship with God and their relationship with one another. As brochures are sent out, and registration emails arrive in your inbox, many of you are eager to sign up. But I also know that some of you are undecided about whether or not you have time in your schedule to attend a women’s Bible study. You are calculating the cost and feeling unsettled about if you should commit. Let me encourage you, then, with several reasons why you should say “Yes” to studying the word of God alongside the women in your church.

Consider the words of Moses, “God’s word is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you will live” (Deut. 32:47). In addressing the Jews, Jesus clarifies, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). The purpose of studying Scripture is to lead us to Christ. The written word reveals the living word that “became flesh and dwelt among us” in order to reveal His glory, which is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). We should say “Yes” to Bible study because Scripture leads us to Christ.

The word of God is a means of grace. Simply put, it is a gift from God through which He reveals Himself to us, and if we are eager to search the Scriptures, this too is a gift from God. The Bible is the most important book because it is God’s word to us, His people. In it we learn how much God loves us and how we are to love and obey God. The author of Hebrews says, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). The Westminster Larger Catechism says, “The Spirit of God maketh the reading…of the Word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation” (A. 155). We should say “Yes” to Bible study because it is a means of grace God uses to conform us to Christlikeness.

Studying God’s word is not an end in itself, but it should lead to application and teaching (Ezra 7:10). We are to receive the word of God with eagerness, but we are also to examine the Scriptures to see if what we are hearing is true (Acts 17:11). With all the Bible resources we have at our fingertips, it’s important that we know the truth for ourselves, so that we can discern truth from error, and help others, beginning with our families, to do so as well. We should say “Yes” to Bible study so that we can help others apply God’s word to their lives, and teach others to discern truth from error.

As we study God’s word, we have the opportunity to meditate on it. I like to think of meditation like a scrumptious meal during which we take small bites and chew slowly to savor the flavors. If we love the law, we will linger long on it. Meditation should be a delight (Ps. 119) and should lead to careful obedience (Josh. 1:8). Our prayer should be that of the psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14). We should say “Yes” to Bible study because it helps us to hide God’s word in our heart.        

All believers “are united to Jesus Christ” and “united to one another in love” (Westminster Confession of Faith 26.1) and are to “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another” (Heb. 10:24-25). We should say “Yes” to Bible study because it is one of the ways we can encourage our sisters to love the Lord and their neighbor, and to walk in the good works which God has prepared for them (Eph. 2:10).

Are you convinced that Bible study is “no empty word for you” (Deut. 32:47)? Do you want to see Christ in all of Scripture? Do you want to be conformed to His image? Is helping others apply God’s word to their lives, and teaching others to discern truth from error a desire of yours? Do you want to hide God’s word in your heart? Are you eager to encourage your sisters to love the Lord and others, and to walk in the good works God has prepared for them? There are many things demanding our attention, and if we’re honest, we will look back and say how empty many of them were. But we will never regret studying Scripture with our sisters. Together we will testify that it is no empty word, but our very life, because it leads us to Christ.