Every morning I see a lot of stay at home moms dropping their kids off at the school bus stop that happens to be in front of my apartment and I have been praying and wondering how to reach out to them. I have some ideas for when the weather gets chilly, ideas about bringing out hot chocolate for them to drink, offering our home as a place to just wait for the school bus out of the cold weather, but I am still praying about those and seeing where the Lord will lead. Anyways, when my wallet was stolen a few weeks ago I really began to think about how to reach out to my immediate community with the Gospel. The Lord opened my eyes to these women that I see and worked in my heart to want to follow and serve him more than being afraid of possible rejection and ridicule by my neighbors. So I decided to start a women bible study.
I think so often when we think about reaching out to our immediate community a bible study is not the first thing that comes to mind of what should be done. Even among conservative christian circles it isn't the first thing that gets placed on the list of "to do." We think about how we want to show our community that we care about them as a person and so we organize 'other' type of community events, events that...take the pressure off...of those leading it as well as those attending it. We want to create relaxed atmospheres, and hopefully, get the chance to share a little more about why we are doing what we are doing. I think these are great ways to reach out to the community, but beyond that moment, that event are we really learning anything significant about the people we are trying to reach? I'm not sure...Honestly, I think it depends on who you ask.And where you live.... My question is why can't a bible study be a relaxed, encouraging, time as well? I don't know I at least feel in some way its a little more honest approach...at least there is no gimmick to it...people know what they are getting off the bat and don't have to worry about some person trying to get them to come to their church, because...well...it's a bible study...it somewhat expected. lol.
Please Oh Please, I am not trying to offend anyone...I do believe and have seen how community wide events not attached to preaching, or reading of scripture, ect...is soooo sooo very good. I also think though that reaching out with a good old fashion bible study can be just as good as well. I mean truthfully, what a great opportunity to immediately dive into the physical lives, and the spirtual lives of those that you are trying to reach for the gospel. I literally, just had one person come to my door asking more about it, saying..."I didn't think we were allowed to do anything like that..." and I was able to share with her more about what I am aiming for this bible study to look like. For it to be a time for other women to come together, and share, encourage, pray for, as well as learn more about Jesus. I told her that I'm not looking for it to be a time of judgement, or making people feel bad ect, or condemning someones beliefs...This way my intentions are right up front-its a bible study, its a time of religious discussion as well as a time to get the chance to get to know others in the community, if you're interested you can come...If your not throw the invitation away...it's that simple.
Sometimes I fear that whenever we hear of "BIBLE STUDY" we think that its a time where some know it all comes before others and try to convert, convict, preach at his or her audience. We think of biggets and those who hate anyone that may have a difference of opinion...and so we think that starting a community bible study is only going to portray ourselves as one of these self righteous people. And while those type of people exist it should not discourage us from doing what Jesus wants us to do.
I think about how important scripture really is...I don't know if anyone has ever truly coming to Christ without reading or at least hearing scripture...and whats even better is when we not only read, and hear, but live it.
So that said, maybe a Women Bible Study isn't the best way to say "Hey God loves you..." but its a start to something......it at least opens the doors...and it takes a whole lot of faith...HOLY COW DOES IT! I have prayed many prayers in the last 3 weeks of '''Jesus, please let women come, please work in hearts and not let thoughts of horrible stereo christian types keep them from coming...Please let curiosity brew and draw those that maybe just want to see what it would be like to it to it... Let the fact that it is a time to learn more about you, God, be enough to draw them in..." I think that we'd be surprised at how much God alone can do without all of our big ideas, and events... Again not saying those things aren't good, and aren't what God would have us do...but they aren't are only options to reaching out to our community.
2 comments:
I'm looking forward to partnering in this outreach with you, Sara. I'm hoping we can be a blessing to the children we spend time with as their Moms spend time in the Bible study. Thanks for creating this service opportunity for me and my girls.
Amy
Amy, I am so thankful for your willingness to serve and for your support. I think this post really sums up a lot of my nerves. A bible study isn't usually the first thing people think of doing when it comes to reaching out to others...and for many reasons...some very legitimate. I also think, though, that God is bigger and can just use his name, and peoples curiosity about him to draw them to himself. Thanks so much for serving with me in this :)
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