In the last article, we considered how enjoyable one-on-one Bible studies with non-Christians can be and should be for us as children of God. We saw how much we can and should rely on the Bible, for it is the same book in every study, it never changes, it is always right, and it has all of the answers. Here are a few more reasons to consider in why we should have excitement in teaching Bible studies.
I always learn something myself. The Bible is a “living” book (Heb. 4:12), and there is always something for someone to learn, even those who have read it and studied it for years. Sometimes there are connections seen between verses that had not been noticed before. The old saying, “The teacher always learns the most,” is especially true when it comes to the Bible.
It keeps me sharp. “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Prov. 27:17). What if your friend is the Bible, which is itself a “sword” (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12)? Teaching it sharpens my knowledge and sharpens my ability to teach it again.
It is fun to watch it work. It is “the gospel” (not me) that is “the power of God to salvation” (Rom. 1:16). There are few things more exciting than to see “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17), “the light of the gospel” (2 Cor. 4:4) and “the word of truth” (Jas. 1:18) at work. When the plain truth of God’s Word connects with an open heart, who is ready to receive “the word with all readiness” (Acts 17:11), it is fun to watch outward expressions display the inward applications being made. When studying about the authority of God’s Word, the unique nature of the Lord’s church and the Divine plan of salvation, it starts to click and a person starts to respond favorably, because it is “welcomed…as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13).
I am reminded of God’s promises. God promises wisdom to those who ask (Jas. 1:5). God promises strength to those who need it (Isa. 41:10). The Lord promises to be with me, when I am teaching His Word (Matt. 28:20; cf. Josh. 1:5-9). I am not on my own. In these studies, I am standing on the promises of God.
I do not take personal offense. Sometimes a person may decide, like Felix in Acts 24:25, to wait for “a convenient time” to obey. Sometimes a person may outright reject what is being taught, but in all of this I am reminded that Jesus said, “He who rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16; cf. John 12:48). Jesus is there to protect me. It’s not about me, but about Him.
There are few things (if any) that I enjoy more than studying one-on-one with a non-Christian! How about you?