A regular and important part of our work at this assembly of Christians is our Bible classes. While all our classes are important, especially where our children are being taught, these articles will focus only on adult classes. We want to suggest some ways to make those 40 minutes we spend together twice a week more edifying.
First of all, can we even have Bible classes? You may think this a silly question, but it is one that has divided the Lord's people in past generations. Some brethren are of the "No Class" opinion, claiming the Scripture does not authorize disciples in a local church to "split up" into smaller groups and form classes. While it is commendable to always be of the mind to "do all things in the name of the Lord" (Col. 3:17), we must also not swallow the camel while we're vigorously trying to strain the gnat. A failure to find specific authority in one area doesn't invalidate generic authority expressed elsewhere. The church is generally authorized to teach, uphold, and make known truth (Eph. 3:10; 1 Tim. 3:15). Activities that expedite the carrying out of this general command are thus authorized, unless they are specifically forbidden elsewhere in the Scripture. Would we object to having gospel meetings just because they aren't mentioned in the Bible? Obviously not. The same logic, therefore, is applied to having Bible classes. All that is taking place in Bible classes is teaching the word of God.
Although we cannot find "Bible classes" in the Bible, I believe we do have the 1st century equivalent. Notice what is taught in Acts 17:1-3. Paul sought out the Jews in the synagogue "as was his custom" (v. 2). While noting this was done on the Sabbath and not with the church on the first day of the week, it is what Paul did that I want to emphasize. He "reasoned" with the Jews from the Scripture. This word in the Greek N.T. is the origin of our English word "dialogue." He "conversed, discoursed, discussed" [Thayer]. In other words, he wasn't preaching. I'm a firm believer in Bible classes being a time for those interested in spiritual matters to discuss in an orderly fashion what the Bible teaches about a subject, learning from the joint participation of all.
The Lord willing, next week we'll make some suggestions for productive and effective Bible classes.
