Study the Bible for Growth Week 10

In today's (November 9) class, we wrapped up the book of Jonah by looking at shared truths and applications, then discussed Bible Reading in Community.

Here are some shared truths Ray Lubeck shared in the class notes.

1. God is ultimately in control of all natural and human events.
2. We cannot run away from God.
3. God's nature is gracious and loving.
4. God's people should be gracious and loving.
5. God cares about saving the lost, and so should we.
6. God will not tolerate wickedness forever.
7. God's word is powerful to save.
8. It is possible for people to repent (by God's grace).
9. God's prophetic word is principally designed to change people, not predict the future.

Here are some application points we talked about in class.

Bible Reading in Community

Reading is a must for spiritual growth.  
Reading the Bible is basic and necessary. 
Reading books that help you think biblically is very helpful.
Reading in general expands your world.  

In today's (November 9) class, we discussed how reading in community supports personal and corporate spiritual growth.

"An important fact obscured in English Bible translations is that almost all the second-person pronouns and commands in the epistles are plural.  Paul was writing to you all or y'all, not to you individualistically, which is how we tend to interpret them when we read individually."  Brian J. Wright,  Don't Just Read It Alone

The article Want to Read the Bible Well? Don't Read It Alone has this Thabiti Anyabwile quote: "If you don't need your Bible at church, then the Bible says you don't need that church."

Reading in community happens at Trinity Baptist Church in many different ways.  Some are more familiar than others.  Bible-based sermons are what most people think of when referring to Bible teaching in the church.  Other opportunities to read in community at Trinity are prayer sheets, Adult Christian Education classes, Bible studies, and book readings.  The weekly prayer sheet includes a Bible passage and, often, a related devotional, with an emphasis on praying scripture.  This prayer help can be used in small groups or in conversation with the TBC family.  During the fall, winter, and spring quarters, we offer three or more Adult Christian Education classes.  One is a straightforward Bible study.  The other courses look at a variety of topics and are rooted in the Bible.  For about ACE classes, go to trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/pages/ace.  Bible studies and book-reading groups provide opportunities to meet in smaller groups to discuss scripture or a Bible-based book.

Reading in community happens at your home with family.  Each week, Trinity's children's ministry shares the lessons taught at tbcgrkidz.org.  There are family-focused books to borrow in the check-in area.

Finally, reading in community in so many other places. In One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm, the following list of people who would benefit from reading through the Bible together is given: non-Christians who need to be saved, new Christians who need to be sanctified, and established Christians who are ready to be trained.