Jesus Speaks!

I’ve been thinking a lot about bible study: how we do it as a church right now, how we should do it as a church, how to lead it, and so on. I’ve been thinking about how, too often, people don’t think they can ‘do’ or ‘lead’ a bible study because they haven’t been to seminary, don’t read commentaries, or don’t have material planned. I’ve been thinking about what a shame that is, and how much I’d love to see more people doing bible study on their own – and leading others in bible study too. Even if you’re not an expert on the bible, or know much background, or have a lot of experience in bible study, you can still do – and lead – a bible study because…

Jesus still speaks.

Jesus promises that “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). It’s all it takes: two or three people gathered to be in Jesus’ presence, to seek to hear his word, to seek to try to hear him in and through scripture together.

When we open scripture together to listen to the voice of Jesus, what we find is that Jesus, the Word of God, speaks.

On Tuesday morning at our women’s bible study, we had exactly that experience. We opened to the section of Mark that we were reading that day in our bible reading plan, and we asked some very simple, basic questions of the story we read – and lo and behold – Jesus spoke. Not in an audible boom from the heavens, but through the words of the bible. Together, we heard a call to be generous with what God has given us, to have compassion on people – especially those who are suffering or are lost, to go to Jesus when we’re burnt out, to trust in him that serving him will satisfy us even when we’re burnt out(!), and so much more. I, nor any of the women, prepared anything, combed through material, or anything like that. We just asked questions and let the Spirit speak in and through the passage.

(Now, I do want to mention – there are MANY different kinds of bible study methods, and some are better than others given the time, place, context, and purpose. There are settings to have well-researched, experienced teachings – don’t get me wrong. I love that and am all in for that. There’s times to be led by someone else’s book, guide, video series, and so on. There’s time for topical studies, thematic studies, character studies, and so on. My only interest in this blog is to encourage YOU that YOU can not only study the bible yourself, but YOU can actually lead and help others hear from Jesus with you!)

With a tiny bit of experience, anyone can do it. What questions did we ask? I’m glad you asked. Here they are:

1. What grabbed your attention in the passage?
2. What did you like in the passage?
3. What bothered you in the passage?
4. What does the passage say about God/Jesus?
5. What does the passage say about us/humans?
6. What does the passage say about the kind of life God wants us to live?
7. Given question #6, how might we be called to follow Jesus from the passage?

I want to encourage you, as you are reading the Gospel of Mark this week, to ask these questions of a story or passage. Take down some notes. Better yet, do it with someone else who wants to read the bible too. It won’t be perfect, interpretations will vary, and for certain, more questions will arise…all good!

See what you see, and hear what you hear – because Jesus is present and speaks still, if and as we seek him together.