Ridgell's Originals

Your church is in trouble...

If you are not studying the Bible.  Churches that are not involved in active study and reading of God's Word are dying.  Just like individual Christians that are not studying.

Here are some signs that may indicate your church has stopped studying the Bible.

Notice the class topics for your Bible school.  Are they textual (studying by books or chapters)?  Are they topical (Biblical subjects)?  Are they about felt needs?  Nothing wrong with any of these but if you have very few -- or no -- textual classes, you are in trouble.  I would pay special attention to what your youth and children study.

Is Scripture read in your assemblies?

Are your church members able to affirm all the doctrinal positions about worship, women's roles, church organization, baptism, etc but they do not know any Scriptural support for any of them?

Do your small groups have Bible study or just fellowship?

Is your preacher the only "go-to" person when a Bible question comes up?

And does your preacher/preachers think they are the only ones who can really understand and explain what the Bible means?

Do your elders use Scripture when doing counseling with members?

Would the sermons at your church be well received at the local civic clubs?

Does your church leadership use Scripture when making announcements about church belief or church decisions?

Is the Bible studied primarily to defend existing beliefs or practices?

Is the Bible studied primarily to rationalize changing existing beliefs or practices?

Are your members encouraged to read the Bible?  Are they encouraged to study it for themselves?  Or is everything filtered thru your church creed?  Or filtered thru your preacher?

Is everyone in your church expected to agree on everything?

I spend a lot of time talking to non-believers and they are often amazed at what they find in Scripture.  Great stories.  Things that speak directly into real life situations.  Things that speak to cultural issues. I love watching them learn.  It is encouraging.

I am discouraged when Christians -- even those who have been believers for years -- are amazed at what they find in the Bible.  It is as if they never read it before.  Not forgot things, not found new insight and understanding.  Never read it before.

Churches that do not have active, engaged study of the Bible are going to die.

So hold your preacher accountable for using Scripture.  And your church leaders.  Have Bible classes that are actually Bible class.  Get in a small group that studies together.  Encourage others to do that.  Read the Bible with your family.

Your church will come alive.

So will you.

So thanks God for giving us your Word so we can know you.  Thank you for the advice, guidance, and correction found there.  Thank you for teaching that is universal and eternal.  We don't always understand it, we don't always agree about it, and we do not follow it as well as we want.  But we promise we will use our Bibles to hear you.