Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/92

Contributor - Ben Van Hoeve

Title - Who Me? - Bible Study?

Topic - Men

"Men's discipleship... do men really need to study God's Word with other men? Do I want to spend time on this type of thing? Am I going to benefit if I join this Discipleship Group? How much work will it be? What am I going to be expected to do?"

Would questions like these come up if you would be asked to join a small Bible study group? Several of these questions went through my mind when I was asked to join just such a group several years ago. I knew Bible study was important to pursue, but having been raised in the church, been through Sunday School, heard two sermons every Sunday, having been a Cadet Counsellor in our youth organization, and having read the Bible every day at supper time, did I really need to spend more of the little leisure time I had on Bible study.? Despite these nagging doubts and reservations, when our Assistant to the Pastor challenged me to join, I cautiously accepted.

The group I joined was led by Royce Curtis, the Assistant to the Pastor at our church at that time. We started off with two participants in our Bible study. We met on alternate Thursday mornings before work to fit each other's schedules. Our primary focus initially was to foster growth in our personal relationships with Christ.

We began with the study of a book entitled "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It is published by the Navigators organization. This book is written in an easy to read, orderly pattern with lots of everyday practical applications. He set Scripture before us and then challenged us to apply it to specific life situations. As we grew to know each other better and felt more comfortable sharing our feelings, we learned that each of us had experienced similar joys, frustrations and problems and we learned how to support each other in a more Christ-like way.

In the past two years we have seen many of our initial goals being realized. We have seen our group grow numerically and spiritually. We have learned to prepare and lead the discussions, and have developed personal routines and self-discipline for everyday devotions. We have recognized that being a Christian means striving for growth that never stops. We have developed friends that we can lean on in all circumstances, and we feel we are experiencing what it means to be taught by God.

If you are not presently involved in a regular Bible study or a prayer group with other men, I challenge and encourage you to join an existing group or to start your own group. In addition to the benefits already mentioned, you will experience the following: better realization of what Jesus Christ wants you to be; better direction in your personal striving to apply biblical truths to your everyday life; learning to listen to and accept other people's viewpoints. To sum up, you will see growth in yourself as a Christian.

How do you go about starting out if there isn't already a men's Bible study group in your church? I suggest that any interested men initially meet over coffee to discuss such items as meeting time and location, material to use, and to set general goals for themselves and the group. There is much material available for use in this type of group at the local Christian bookstore, or from an organization such as The Navigators. When the group starts, don't be too rigid initially about sticking to prescribed topics or agendas, but rather allow the group to discuss issues and feelings that may have arisen during the previous week or during the discussion.

Yes, I have learned that men do need to spend time with other men in the study of God's Word. You may not initially want to spend the time attending such a group, but once it becomes a part of your life, you soon realize that the benefits you gain have an impact on all areas of your life. You will handle difficult situations better, you will be more patient and compassionate with other people, and you will feel more at peace with yourself. Being part of a study group doesn't have to take a lot of time; just your willingness and commitment to regularly help and be helped by other men.

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