A FRIEND SURPRISED ME at supper this week. He’s going through a divorce, so I met him at his preferred pizza place, to give him a little company for at least one meal this week.
“Before I forget it,” he said as we parked ourselves in the booth, “you know a lot about the Bible. But I admire the fact that in the Bible study class you just sit back and let the others talk, and then you join in only when you need to.”
This past Sunday he visited the Bible study class I attend every Sunday morning. He was talking about that session.
What he said struck me odd. But as I thought about it, he’s right. That’s exactly what I do.
And it’s actually my favorite thing about Bible studies. I don’t like leading the sessions, though I do take my turn as one of the session leaders in a rotation. I prefer listening to others lead the discussion, and then listening to the class members ask their questions, offer their own answers, and react to each other – as though I’m not there.
I’ve been with this class long enough that they’re not intimidated by me. At all. They’ll rip into me when they think I’m wrong. And they’ll take my opinion as just one of many in the room.
As they should. I’m as confused as the next guy.
I might know a little more about ancient history than some of the others, but I’m not sure I know any more about God or about what it means to live as a citizen in God’s kingdom.
Sometimes when I’m sitting there, behaving invisibly, I smile as the group talks.
I smile at the thought that these are God’s people studying the Bible and talking about it as though it means something to them.
I love watching them do that. They learn more about the Bible that way than they would ever learn from me yapping at them or piously reading excerpts from my books.
So make a note. If ever a Bible expert visits your Bible study group, treat them like just another flapping jaw. Let them enjoy listening to your questions, your answers, and your opinions. If they really love the Bible, they’ll love watching you do that.
I thought you’d want to know, just in case.
Bible Gateway Blogger
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