The scriptures have a way of humbling the humblest of God's children. Consider the scripture that reads: "If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." Oh the resplendent truth of the Scriptures! At best now we see through a glass darkly, now we know in part…. In the 8th chapter of 1st Corinthians we see the brethren exhorted to take heed to themselves. The concept here is that some liberties can be destructive. "Take heed least by any means this liberty become a stumbling block to them that are weak." There is a quantum leap between discussing scriptures with a church member before or after services or in one's home, and having organized Bible Studies in the church. We are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. Readiness to give a reason for our hope should not be at the expense of sanctifying the Lord in our hearts by neglecting to walk in gospel obedience. The scriptures tell us to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. There is not a season where the God called minister ought not to be able to reprove, and rebuke and exhort with longsuffering and doctrine; but we need not contrive a "season".

Strangely some differentiate between Sunday school and Bible Study. Some sadly cannot distinguish the difference between the exhortation to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and the institution of Bible Studies. The exhortation is to preach the word! We all need to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Consider what comes after that scripture, it reads: "To him be glory both now and for ever" (2 Pt. 3:18) If we invent and introduce some another "time or season" like Bible Study, then we aren't praising, and praying and preaching as true worshippers. How will man's inventions glorify our Lord? If it wasn't needed in the Lord's Church in the days of the Apostles, then why would we need it now, or ever? When we sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, we sin against Christ. Often it isn't about what we eat but how we go about serving the meal. 4/7/2003 Elder Marty Hoogasian