Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)
We have been challenged as a congregation by our elders to “abound more and more” for the year 2009. I hope that every member is willing to take positive steps in this endeavor. It is my goal over the next four weeks to help build on the suggestions laid down by our elders to “abound more and more.” Please do not look at this as the end all be all, but a mere tip of the iceberg on how we can “abound more and more.”
Find a Bible study and participate regularly
This suggestion is probably the easiest of the four to start immediately of the suggestions we will discuss. It’s so easy because of the great number of studies that already exist. Studies are available virtually every morning, noon and night in various locations. I personally know of studies in Lawrenceville, Norcross, Stone Mountain, Smyrna, Duluth, Cumming, Dunwoody, the Perimeter area and the Downtown Atlanta area. I am confident that there are others that I have no idea about, but with the abundant opportunities available it only takes a decision by you to get started.
The early disciples in Jerusalem “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42) This verse contains a couple different things that we should consider for our Bible studies.
First, the disciples devoted themselves:
The disciples did not half-heartedly attend Bible study. They gave themselves over to it. Some translations say they “continued steadfastly.”
Bible study was something they chose to do and continued for a period of time. They did not attend because the apostles asked them to. Rather they were present because they wanted to be there! In order for us to get the most out of our Bible studies it requires us to commit ourselves and maintain a desire to be there.
Take this for example: You decide to join a baseball team. Why did you join the baseball team? I would suggest because you wanted to play baseball. Now when you signed up to play baseball, did you agree to only play on the nights you wanted to? Nope. You agreed to play unless something incredibly important or something out of your control came up. You should have this same type of commitment to the Bible studies you choose to attend.
Am I saying you should never miss a Bible study? No way, but you need to think long and hard before you decide not to attend. If you looked at it as a commitment rather than a privilege, you will be more inclined to go when you are just too tired or too busy. May we all have the determination this year to still go even when we don’t feel like it!
Second, the disciples devoted themselves to the apostles teaching:
The disciples apparently understood the value of the apostles teaching and were willing to devote themselves to it. We may not have these exact teachings from Acts 2, but we understand that “God has granted to us all things that pertains to life and godliness…”(II Peter 1:3)
Often, I forget how beneficial and practical the Word of God truly is. In a recent study, a participant wanted to know where the Bible showed us how to live our lives. It was difficult for me to answer that question because that is the essence of the entire Bible. Because “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17) Do you understand the value?
Will attending a Bible study cause you to “abound more and more?” Not necessarily, but the above are suggestions of ways to abound in Bible study. It will take a lot of individual effort for us to “abound more and more” this year as a congregation. But as individuals it is our responsibility to devote more time to God’s Word because it is everything that we need!
Next week we will look at ways to abound by taking responsibility for someone else.
~ by Wes Gossett