It is so refreshing to go to a Christian college campus or a summer Bible camp, and to be immersed in a setting where it is not unusual (and even normal) to see someone reading his Bible, bowing his head in prayer, using his Bible in Bible classes and even taking notes for his own use and growth. Such an atmosphere inspires spiritual development, revives spiritual fervor and encourages others to do the same. Wouldn’t it be great if every Christian today could enjoy and benefit from such an environment? Brethren, let’s create that environment in the church!
Let’s create that environment in our Bible classes! Brethren, are we bringing our Bibles to Bible class? Are we opening and using our Bibles in Bible class? Now, hopefully we have teachers who are opening and using their Bibles in Bible class. And, assuming that is the case, who is too old or too young, too cool or too smart, too mature-in-the-faith or new-in-the-faith to not need their Bible in Bible class (along with pen and notebook)? Let’s create the environment where we all bring, open and use our Bibles in Bible classes! What an example for our youth!
Let’s create that environment in our worship! Brethren, are we bringing our Bibles to worship? Are we opening and using our Bibles during worship? One commanded avenue of our worship is the preaching and studying of God’s Word. Now, hopefully we have preachers who are opening and using their Bibles to preach. And, assuming that is the case, who is there (adult or child) who does not need their Bible in worship (along with a pen and notebook)? Let’s create the environment in our worship, where we all bring, open and use our Bibles! What an example for our youth and our visitors!
Let’s create that environment in our homes! Brethren, are we reading our Bibles and praying in our homes, so that everyone else in the home senses the spiritual atmosphere and God-centered nature of our homes? What impact would it have on children and any non-Christians in the home to observe the Christians in the home regularly focused on Bible study and prayer? (Or what about the contrary—what impact would it have for them to never see the Christians in the home in a Bible study posture?)
Let’s create that environment in our daily lives! Would your friends, neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances find it more natural to talk to you about spiritual matters if they observed that as a regular (and natural) part of your life? Would fellow-Christians be more inclined to feel at ease in studying and praying on their own, if they observed you doing so as a natural part of your life?
That environment is needed in the church today!