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The Value and Importance of Bible Classes Bible classes are often taken for granted. Congregations the size of ours often have classes for different age groups and multiple adult classes. These classes are designed to provide spiritual growth. I have attended congregations where there were no regular children’s classes. This was due to not having young people. Occasionally a child would attend and one of the women would go to an empty room to have a class. I often wondered how prepared the women were, considering the fact she did not know she would be teaching until the child arrived. Here we have different teachers to alternate. In some places only a few people teach and they must do so all the time. We half heartedly joked about one place that being assigned a class was a till death do we part relationship. I am glad that is not the case here. We all expect to have qualified teachers and material to study. I do not know how much money is spent per year on class material but I dare say it would surprise many the total cost. Books are order for each student in each class, usually a few extra copies are on hand in case there are visitors. Perhaps it is due to growing up at a small rural congregation that often did not have "preaching" but only had Bible class on Sunday morning’s, I consider the class time of greater value than the preacher’s time. Remember I am saying this as a preacher. In class settings one can ask questions and studies can be altered to provide answers. Unfortunately, there are members that do not place the same importance on Bible classes. They either do not attend or come unprepared. This is also seen when their children come without studying their material. Recently one class of six students had only one young person with her class book. The others either forgot to bring their book or could not find them. Parents and young people consider this; your teacher is teaching your class because they want to. They are not paid to do so but they do it because it is important to God. They sacrifice their time and efforts because they want you to know about God’s word. The Lord’s money is spent purchasing those workbooks that you so easily lose or forget. God expects us to be good stewards of His money. What you will learn or not learn on Wednesday night and Sunday morning in those classes is more important than what you will learn the rest of the week in school. We need parents that are interested in what their children are learning. Bible Classes are important and should be treated as such. D.T. |