ARE BIBLE CLASSES A WASTE OF TIME?

In the minds of some people Bible classes are not important.  They may even consider them just "a waste of time."  What should our attitude be toward them?  Why do we have Bible classes on Sunday and Wednesday?  Do we have classes just because others have them?  Do we have classes just so we can say that we are at least doing something?  Until we come to learn the significance of them, we will not appreciate them as we should.  If we appreciate them, then and only then will attitudes and attendance change for the better.

PROMOTE the work of the church. The Bible classes are one avenue through which the Word of God can be taught. We certainly want to take advantage of every opportunity to teach and study from the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15; Psalms 1:1-3).

PROVIDE a way for the elders "to feed" the flock. The apostle Paul in speaking to the Ephesian elders, said, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). Peter declared to the elders, "Feed the flock of God which is among you" (1 Peter 5:2). Through our Bible classes we are helping the elders carry out their work.

PRODUCE tomorrow's elders, deacons, preachers and teachers. We want to encourage our young people to grow up being servants of God. In our Bible classes, we are training potential soldiers in the Lord's Army. The Bible classes are helping to train the young in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

PREVENT unfaithfulness in the church. We all need encouragement in living the Christian life. Through our Bible classes we can encourage and edify one another (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24,25) to be strong in the Lord.

PREPARE one for eternity. Who is it that has doubts about the importance of studying the Bible? We must come to understand and know God's Will (John 8:32; 1 Timothy 2:4). The time we spend in studying the Bible in our classes is helping us to be prepared for eternity to come.

Are Bible classes a waste of time? I think not!