I wonder who you meet with regularly from church?
Is there someone that you read the Bible with one on one?
When I reflect on moments when my faith has grown deeper, I often find myself thinking of the people who have spent time meeting with me.
These people were often slightly older and a step ahead of me in life. I have found great encouragement opening the Bible with them and hearing their wisdom on God’s word as it brings to light God’s ultimate plan of redeeming his people for his glory.
This year as a Ministry Apprentice I have had the great privilege of doing one-on-one Bible reading with a few women from church. It has quickly become the highlight of my week as I get the chance to grow my relationship with them and grapple with understanding what God’s word is saying.
Questions I have come to enjoy asking when reading the Bible with others are:
Who is the audience?
How is the passage convicting?
How is it moving?
Do you have any questions from the passage?
If you aren’t already meeting up with someone regularly outside of a Community Group, how about finding someone and meeting up once a fortnight? You could even do it once a month if your schedule is too full.
We want to be a community of people who are maturing in our faith as we become wholehearted followers of Jesus. I don’t know about you but I can’t do it alone and am thankful for the community of believers we are blessed to meet with every Sunday and throughout the week.
I have found that I face life differently the more I dive into the Bible and the more I do it with others. Although we can find great joy from catching up with people over a meal, celebrating a birthday together or just having a good old ‘deep and meaningful’, I am convinced that opening God’s word with one another will bring the richest fruit to your life and relationships.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Grace & peace,
Lia Maddock
(Ministry Apprentice)