Our Weekly Devotionals

Why do Christians do things like Bible class in a Group? Does it serve any purpose?

So in 2024 I started leading a Bible class with over 280 students.

Over the next few weeks thereafter, a few who had joined the class with excitement and humility become proud and left the class, some with deriding comments like: "It's just people posting updates" or "it's just a bible app downloaded and then I read on my own" or "it seems like a messy large group."

Such people see Christians in groups like lowly sheep and then they despise the group in their hearts and then go off to read or pray on their own hence they leave the "church."

My heart often bleeds when I see someone leave - not because they do not have the right to do so, they do, but because they see the simplicity of what we Christians do in groups and forget that the Lord often uses the simple and foolish to confound the wisdom of the world.

They see with the human eye and fail to see the thousands upon thousands of heavenly host who are helping us. They fail to see the hundreds of prayers that are lifting us, they fail to see the plans Christ has prepared for us. Because of those who don't see the full counsel of God, or are not yet mature to discern the seasons and times, I am sharing this message.

I would like to therefore encourage you to stay with a group however "messy" it seems for the following reasons:

1. Satan LOVES lone or solo Christians. Remember the devil is depicted in scripture as a prowling lion seeking who he may devour. If you have ever watched lions hunt a herd, say of wildebeest, who do the lions go for? They never go for the middle of the herd, they attack the ones on the edges of the group - those on their own, the young, the aged, the weak and the sick. Do not become food for the enemy. We are protected by the Lord as our great shepherd when we are together. This is a sign of humility, accepting to be part of others, even when you can do so on your own. The Lord accepts the humble but is far from the proud.
2. A group enables accountability. Many of us have tried to for example read the Bible on our own; some even 9 times and failed. Many of us don't realise that in a group you typically have a leader who God has appointed over you and these often care with a shepherd's heart... because that's what Jesus would do! So, in a group you will find someone who holds you accountable to for example read your Bible. You cannot get this when you are on your own; which means on your own; you can easily give up or get discouraged.
3. Christ tells us not to give up the habit of meeting together The church of Christ has always been a group activity - just like a body with many parts and so each and every one, however many we are is a unique part of the body and so in staying together as a group, we are growing in the body and benefiting from one another even if it doesn't seem obvious at first. As an example, as we continued walking together in our Bible class, the Lord birthed a group that goes out to do charity activities (a giving group); then he also birthed a secret prayer and intercessor ministry. These would not have happened if we had not continued to remain as a group growing in spiritual maturity with Christ the head.

It is my prayer that you will not fall for the tricks or Satan or give into arrogance but will humble yourself and be patient and endure till the end for the race is not for the swift... remain enduring. The race is not over for it is a marathon and in marathons you often have people running as a large group, so likewise don't quit your Christian groups. Do not lose before your time!

Blessings and love.