Family Bible Study ~ Yes or No?

It is funny how God can bring our thoughts together.   Friday night at our Bible Study/Prayer Meeting I was talking with one of our young adults, Jharen, and when the discussion came to Bible study, I shared my feelings about a Bible study being a "family affair."  And, I shared about the wonderful successes I have seen in family Bible studies over the past 29 years that I have been a believer.

Then, this evening as I was searching my archives for material to include in a new blog I am writing for my daughter, I came across a Friends Ministry eNewsletter I shared in 2007 - which speaks of the reasons I believe we should have Family Bible Studies.

And, whenever I get on the subject of the value of Family Bible Studies, there is always one family which goes to the top of my "They are a great example" list.  That family is my Christian sister, Nimfa Veneracion, and her two young daughters, Chantelle and Gabrielle.  They came faithfully, as a family, to our Bible studies in Irvine.  

The photo below shows her two beautiful young daughters, Chantelle (left) and Gabrielle (right), as they looked during those 1990s Bible studies.  Several years ago, Nimfa posted a video of Chantelle doing a recitation at church.  At that time, Chantelle was still in high school or maybe just entering Biola University - where she has now graduated.  Gabrielle is in college now studying religion.  But, Chantelle's video totally blew my mind.

In this video, Chantelle is reciting, not reading, but reciting the full chapter of Nehemiah 6.   And, she does it so well that we get the feeling that Nehemiah is actually telling us the story himself.   This is an amazing performance and I pray that you enjoy it as much as I always have - every times I have watched it.   

Nehemiah 6 @ Celebration - Chantelle Gibbs Recitation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ0yalfgBVI

My Friends, this family, and many others over my almost three decades as a believer, are perfect examples of paying it forward.   And there can be no greater example of the Great Commission - than seeing Chantelle Gibbs reciting Scripture in such an exciting and inspiring way.  This family is one of many I will always hold up as great examples of the value of having "Family Bible Studies" and including the little ones.

So, without further ado, let me share my Friends Ministry eNewsletter from 2007 which shows why I believe Bible study should be a "family affair."  

Subject:     FAMILY BIBLE STUDY
Date:     Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:50:31 -0700
From:     Bill Gray

Hi to all my Friends,

Have you ever noticed how, at times when you are wondering, "Should I write this?" or "Should I say this?" - God can get your attention in different ways, sometimes unique, sometimes funny - to give you an answer?

For quite a while I have had a burden on my heart about Bible studies.  Should they include children, or should the children just be sent to another room to play while the adults discuss the word of God?  I have a strong preference; but, I have been waiting to see if I should speak up, or just be silent and go along with what I see in many churches - no "Family" Bible Studies.

Then, this morning, as I sat on the end of my bed to put on my shoes - my eyes went to one of my bookshelves near the end of my bed.  The focus of my vision was one book:  How To Talk With Your Children About God, by Frances Loftiss Carroll, sponsored by Guideposts and published by Prentice-Hall, Inc.  God put my focus on that book.  God was answering my prayer of "Should I write this?"

First, let me state my position on children in Bible studies.  I believe 100%; no, make that 1000% - that children, of all ages, should be in Bible study with mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, big brother and sister, and Christian friends.  Bible study, the study of God's written Word to us, should be a focus in the life of every member of the family - starting with the toddler.

I know, I know.  Many adult Friends will be saying, "Bill, you birdbrain, don't you know that kids' attention span is too short to sit in a long Bible study.  They will get bored and start fidgeting around, disturbing everyone."

Well, first of all - if the Bible study is going too long and causing the kiddies to be fidgeting; is it possible that the Bible study is going too long?   Is it better to have a Bible study that lasts only thirty minutes and is a "Family" Bible Study - or one that goes an hour and excludes the children that Jesus so loves?  

Now, I will admit that I love discussing the Bible and could be happy with a Bible study that lasts three hours.  But given the choice of a "children included" Bible study or an "adult only" Bible study - I will always opt for the children included.  Why?  Because it is our God given responsibility to start from the day they are born to raise our children to know about Jesus, and to know Jesus.  That starts first by example; then, as they get older, by teaching.

So, this morning, feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit to open this book, I began to read.  And, I knew that this was God's response to my question.  Let me give you just a few excerpts from the book:

Preface:

Children are a precious gift from God.  Our lives are truly blessed by their presence in our homes.  The Christian parent who holds a tiny infant in his or her arms feels joy and awe.  We thank God for allowing this child to be a part of our family, and we dedicate our efforts to giving the child a good life.          

As we watch our children grow, many thoughts enter our minds.  We want the best for them, and that best includes a personal relationship with God.  As we pray for guidance and ask God to show us how to train our children concerning the values of life, there is often a feeling of inadequacy.  Many of us find that we are not really prepared to share our faith with our children, but what are we to do?

It is my hope that this book will address the questions and supply the answers you need to discuss God with your children.  I have searched the Scriptures and prayed for guidance through the Holy Spirit throughout this entire project.  .  .  In this book I have tried to focus on the basic Christian philosophy concerning life as presented in the Bible.  The book is not intended to present the view of any particular denomination.

Chapter One:  Introduction To Parents

All Christian parents want their children to know about God.  It is our desire that they gain knowledge of God; and yet where do they turn to gain information about God?  As concerned parents, we must determine what concepts to teach our children about the Christian life.  For some of us the task is simple.  For others it is seemingly impossible.

A balance is needed in discussing God with our children.  We need to share our spiritual enthusiasm and yet not to become too zestful as we share our faith.  Our task is to plant seeds of faith and watch as God allows them to grow.

Appendix:  (abbreviated by Bill Gray)

It is important that you, the parent or teacher, recognize not only the learning level of your child, but also the need level.  When you do, you will bring God's truth to work on specific needs in that child's life.

What A Child of Two and Three Can Learn:       

About God:

God loves him ~ God takes care of him (her) ~ God loves and cares for his (her) family.

About Jesus:

Jesus loves him ~ Jesus once lived on earth, but now is in heaven ~ Jesus is God's Son ~ Jesus is a Friend.

About the Bible:

The Bible tells about God ~ The Bible is a good Book ~ The Bible is a special Book ~ He (she) should love the Bible.

What a Child of Four and Five Can Learn:

About God:

God loves him and others ~ God cares for all who love Him ~ God cares for and loves families.

About Jesus:

Jesus loves him and is his (her) best Friend ~ Jesus came to be the Savior ~ Jesus is now living in heaven ~ Jesus will help him obey and share.

About the Bible:

The Bible tells about God ~ The Bible is God's Word ~ The Bible helps him know what to do ~ The Bible is a Book of true stories.

What a Child of Six and Seven Can Learn:

About God:

God loves him and his family and his friends ~ God loves all people of the world ~ God wants people to love Him too.

About Jesus:

Jesus is the Son of God ~ Jesus came to earth to die for sin ~ Jesus wants people to accept Him as their personal Savior ~ Jesus wants to help people go to God.

About the Bible:

The Bible is God's Book, for it tells about Him ~ The Bible tells us what God wants ~ The Bible tells how God worked with others ~ The Bible is a good Book to study, for it helps us.

What a Child of Eight and Nine Can Learn:

About God:

God is all powerful, all wise, and everywhere ~ God is present with him at all times ~ God loves him and wants him to love God ~ God made the universe and all in it ~ When he accepts Jesus as his Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into his life.

About Jesus:

Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior ~ Jesus died on the cross for sin ~ Jesus can give salvation to those who ask ~ Jesus can forgive sin.

About the Bible:

The Bible is an exciting Book to read ~ The Bible is a true Book, not fiction ~ The Bible is God's Word ~ The Bible should be read every day.

What a Child of Ten and Eleven Can Learn:

About God:

God is Spirit, who is everywhere, but whose home is in heaven ~ God is all powerful, but He permits evil things to happen ~ God is all wise, but He permits men to choose between Him and sin ~ God is absolutely perfect, holy, and just.

About Jesus:

Jesus took the body of man so He could do God's plan ~ Jesus shows how to live for God ~ Jesus took the sins of all people on Himself at Calvary ~ Jesus became alive again and lives in heaven.

About the Bible:

The Bible has the answers to all his everyday problems ~ The Bible tells the history of God's work among men ~ The Bible is God's Word, the authority for life ~ The Bible is God's truth for all men ~ The Bible, which is God's Word, is to be obeyed.

Now, at what point in your child's life do you want to start including him/her in learning about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible?  Should you wait until the child is older so that he/she will not be a bother to the people in Bible study?  Or should you start including your child at a very young age?

Once again, let me insert my thoughts.  A toddler cannot understand what is being discussed in a Bible study; however, that toddler can sense and know that mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, their older siblings, and all their friends are talking about something which is good; something which makes them all feel love for one another - and that something is God and His Word, the Bible.  That love and fellowship the toddler can feel, know, and experience.

A few years later, still at a young age, the child sees his older brother, sister, and friends - all joining mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and their friends in reading the Bible and in discussions.  The young child learns that this is something he/she wants to share.

Another few years pass, and that child now joins in the reading and discussing of the Bible.  He/she may not always understand all that is being said - but he/she is a part of it.  By now, that child knows that God's Word, the Bible, is very special and is eager to know more about God.  That is progress, that is progression, that is leading your child toward a life with God.  Are you going to set an age limit on your child?  Jesus does not.

Let me emphasize one thing:  I am not addressing this to only those who have young children.  No, this is a message for all Christians.  When you attend your Bible study - is it an "adult only" Bible study?  Is it a "men's only" Bible study?  Is it a "women's only" Bible study?  Is it a "Youth and Young Adults only" Bible study?  Is it a "seniors only" Bible study?  Is the main focus of the get together more on the social aspect - or on a serious "one size fits all" study of God's Word?

What happened to the Family Bible Study?   Are we to exclude the children; then expect them to grow up loving God - or to grow up loving us, if we do not teach them about God's love for them?

Mark 10:14-16, "But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."  And He took them (the children) in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them."

When we exclude the children from our Bible studies; do you really believe you are pleasing Jesus Christ?

True, many times a Bible study splits - adults in one room, children in another.  When that happens, who is leading the children in their Bible study, an adult or another young person?  Or are they just going into another room to play while you and your friends study God's Word? 

Even when they are in another room in their own Bible study; they still are not part of the "Family Bible Study."  Do you think this pleases Jesus Christ?  When He said, "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all" - do you think He was telling us to have great theological discussions?  Or that we should look at God through the child's eye?  Just a thought.

I pray this new eNewsletter and Blog has been a blessing to you.  In this I am not trying to be dogmatic, nor am I trying to force my views upon others.  I am merely sharing why I strongly believe making Bible study a "family affair" is so important to the Christian family and to the body of Christ.


God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
     
Bill