Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (English Standard Version).  Some Christians feel that Bible classes are repetitive and that the material that is being covered is content they they have already learned in previous years.  The fact of the matter is this: even if you know just about everything that is being taught in Bible classes, there are others who don’t.  Either you need the knowledge that is to be gained by studying God’s word, or else your knowledge needs to illuminate in the way that Matthew 5:16 demonstrates. Some people may need the knowledge that you have. Does your example encourage other students to be present for Bible classes or is your example discouraging? Thus we attend Bible classes so our light can shine upon and influence others (Matthew 5:16).

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain is , but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh” (Young’s Literal Translation). Perhaps you have some activities that are “family activities”.  If you have a young child maybe you have a story time together.  If your children are on their own maybe you and your spouse share time watching a favorite nightly T.V. show. If you are a widow or a widower, maybe a family member calls you on the phone on a particular day.  I think we understand that for all of these family demographics, time well spent is time that is well associated with a family of multiple members.  Hebrews 10:24-25 speaks of the spiritual family.

We as a church, assemble so that we can learn of Jesus’ words and so we can stimulate one another to a greater awareness level of obedience to God. To forsake this effort of care and concern for one another, is to avoid showing a truly loving interest in the spiritual well being of our brethren. It would be really hard to consider one’s self an active part of a church family if we continued to fail to participate in “family” activities. So we attend Bible classes also, because we care about our spiritual family.

1st Peter 2:2 says, “Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; 3 if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (American Standard Version). This explains a third basic reason why we attend Bible classes: we want to grow!  I do not recall ever meeting a man or woman in the Church of Jesus Christ who evinced they were an able student of the Word, and that they felt completely devoted to the Lord, and at the same time would not attend Bible classes.  If you desire to be an elder, or a deacon, or a teacher someday, you very much need to “long for the spiritual milk” 1 Peter 2:2.  If we desire to strengthen ourselves as growing Christians, we truly need to be a part of Bible classes.

Thus we attend Bible classes because... 1.) We want our Christian light to both shine and influence others (Matthew 5:16). 2.) We care about our spiritual family (Hebrews 10:24-25). & 3.) We want to grow (1st Peter 2:2).  By: J.R. Rosado